Question for fellow Catholics/ Anglicans /Episcopalians / or others, What do you thinkof headcovering?

Question

Would you or do you look strangely at a lady who covers her head during Mass or Church service? I cover and am alone in my Parish except for a few elderly ladies and one or two who wear hats. I was wondering how others thought about this. LOL I think my family just thinks I like "Do-rags" and skirts.
Pax,
Debra

BYT I never meant to imply this was a requirement. But a personal choice.

OOPs scratch that I meant BTW. By the way.

Answer 1

There was a time, not that long ago -- within my memory, and I'm not exactly ancient -- when we all wore a headcovering of some sort to church. I had a little hat that my mom insisted on pinning to my hair when she sent me off to Sunday school, and a lacy mantilla sort of thing for the occasions when I went with my Catholic friends to Mass. (Mom believed in being prepared for any contingency.) Covering went out of favor among Catholics right after Vatican II -- and it certainly seemed that women in many other Christian churches followed the lead of their Catholic sisters and abandoned the practice at around the same time.

Many orthodox (small "o") Catholic practices and devotions have been making a gradual comeback, and this is one of them. Just as our religious sisters are, in many communities, returning to more traditional habits, so are some women among the laity drawn to wearing headcoverings again at Mass. Many of us (myself included) are prayerfully considering whether to do so. There are still only a very few women in the two parish churches I attend who are covering, but I'm sure they'll be joined by others. They no longer get strange looks, and that's a good thing. :)

Answer 2

Pax! I wear a headcovering (Mantilla) and a few others in my parish do also. They are not elderly, but young to middle age. There are women attending the Tridentine (Latin) Masses (since they have been approved by the Pope again) who all wear the headcovering. If one is following the Scriptures, it does state in both the old and new testaments, that woman should wear headcoverings. This is to keep one focused on the liturgy and prayer instead of attracting on-lookers and admiring other women's hairdo's.....I am all for it and not because it is trendy or fashionable, but prayerful.....blessings, "orthros"

Answer 3

I would never make fun of someone who covered their head (or any body part) for religious reasons.I cover my hair with bandannas(usually about 2-3 inches wide).I do this because that is what is asked of me in the Corinthians.I have just begun covering so I started with simple bandannas,also kerchiefs and bigger bandannas are disallowed at my school,so I can't cover any more than what I already do.I am one of the very few Orthodox Christian women/girls who cover at my church,probably the only that covers outside of church.I get looks sometimes,but I think its more of the "cross,long skirt,bandanna,modest shirt" look that causes them,and not the actual covering.I ignore them because I know I do it for God,and no one else.I also respect those choose to cover or not to cover;"Do not judge,lest ye be judged".

Bless you
Pammie

Answer 4

Hats are so old fashioned. I think scarves are also out of fashion. It is not REQUIRED for women to cover their heads all the time - ONLY in church.

But religions have changed that rule to - girls heads must be covered at all times.

I can tell those women and girls who are from the Brethren religious group because they always have LONG hair and they wear scarves.

Answer 5

Of course it is no longer required for church etiquette, but I think it is fine. If this is part of way of showing your reverence to the presence of Christ, good for you.

A few ladies do this in my parish. The only problem I have is when one wears a large hat that obstructs someone else's view of the altar.

Answer 6

I know many Churches that teach that women cover their hair in church, I see not wrong in it, some where simple hats or lace coverings of different sizes, I think they are all beautiful, however this is not a requirement for praying the Bible teaches that a woman's uncut hair is her covering not a piece of clothe

1Co 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
1Co 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
....
1Co 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

Answer 7

I've not seen anyone wear a head covering in years. When I was little, I had to wear a little white doily looking thing on my head. My mom did as well. I think at some point in the early 70s we stopped. However, if anyone did, I doubt I'd think too much of it.

Answer 8

Personally, I think it is beautiful. There are a few in our parish who cover and I admire their dedication. Even though I don't wear a headcovering, I have often thought about it. My main reason for not doing it is fear of looking different.

Answer 9

I was raised in an Episcopal church. Some of the ladies wore hats to church, but I never thought of it as anything but a "Sunday hat"...
Me, I still like to wear a hat occasionally, but I don't make it a habit (sorry, the pun slipped out). I like the feel of the breeze in my hair.
I never read anywhere where God ever commanded women to keep their hair covered. I know Paul thought they ought to, but I think Paul was speaking of the culture he lived in, not any command of God.
I just don't see God rejecting anyone for not wearing a hat...do you?

Answer 10

When I was Catholic I never saw this. Now-a-days women don't have to, just like they don't have to wear skirts and dresses. I think its a merely a matter of preference, and there are some lovely head coverings out there.