Could We Re-Learn Respect & Modesty by Covering Our Heads at Mass?

Lady Bug said:

It would be nice if my hair constituted a head covering, after all, it covers my head

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Actually, long hair can be used in that way. I will have to find the scripture that says let a womans hair be her covering (something like that).

I don't begrudge people who do it. I think it is interesting to read about people who feel called to it. I wonder what it means to them and I love reading about how much people love God. I know I don't love Him as much as I want to or should.

1 Cor 11;15 But if a woman nourish her hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering. ..... (A woman with long hair)

1 Cor 11;6 For if a woman be not covered, let her be shorn. But if it be a shame to a woman to be shorn or made bald, let her cover her head. ..... (A Woman with short hair)

isabella1 said:

Actually, long hair can be used in that way. I will have to find the scripture that says let a womans hair be her covering (something like that).

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Actually the verse is:

1Cor 11:13-15 said:

You yourselves judge: doth it become a woman, to pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that a man indeed, if he nourish his hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman nourish her hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.

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We can see from the common emphasis on women's hair that women's hair "is a glory to her", that is, it is something they are proud of and makes them beautiful (not that there aren't beautiful women with short hair) but if men are overly concerned about their hair and appearance, it's disordered, it's effeminate (of course, women can take things too far also).

Thus women should cover their heads when they pray (whether in public or private) as an act of humility. Men should uncover their heads when they pray (whether in public or private) likewise as an act of humility. Humility has to do with appreciating ourselves in reality when we often have a different, idealized, view of ourselves. God created the two genders for a reason and covering or uncovering our heads when we pray, especially before the Blessed Sacrament (whether at Mass or any other time), is one way of expressing humility.

VivaCristoRey said:

Actually the verse is:



We can see from the common emphasis on women's hair that women's hair "is a glory to her", that is, it is something they are proud of and makes them beautiful (not that there aren't beautiful women with short hair) but if men are overly concerned about their hair and appearance, it's disordered, it's effeminate (of course, women can take things too far also).

Thus women should cover their heads when they pray (whether in public or private) as an act of humility. Men should uncover their heads when they pray (whether in public or private) likewise as an act of humility. Humility has to do with appreciating ourselves in reality when we often have a different, idealized, view of ourselves. God created the two genders for a reason and covering or uncovering our heads when we pray, especially before the Blessed Sacrament (whether at Mass or any other time), is one way of expressing humility.

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Oh ok, I see. So then a woman can't use her hair as a covering right? I have no clue why I thought she could. If I have forgotten my mantilla by mistake, and I wanted to go into adoration, i would just let my hair down as a covering. *Shrug* Guess I know the difference now.

isabella1 said:

So then a woman can't use her hair as a covering right?

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Yes, she most certainly can. You sound like you're getting confused.

There is no requirement by God to cover ones head ever. Its a personal choice either way and nothing more.

I thought you understood this?

Talk to me in person about this. Please dont reply here.

Brikkz said:

I think by some people's definition of immodest that it would actually be immodest to wear a head covering to a church where nobody else wears a head covering.

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I've seen it before in churches. the others pay no attention to the one wearing the head coverings. I think it's just some kind of unspoken mutual understanding and respect from one christian to another.

I think Jesus said something like, you will know them by their love for one another"? his people.

JoabAnias said:

Yes, she most certainly can. You sound like you're getting confused.

There is no requirement by God to cover ones head ever. Its a personal choice either way and nothing more.

I thought you understood this?

Talk to me in person about this. Please dont reply here.

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I understand you not wanting to talk about it here, but your response helped.

Lady Bug said:

I understand you not wanting to talk about it here, but your response helped.

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Good.

I don't think its necessary. 1 Cor 11:2-16 refers to a women covering her head, but I believe it is talking about hair. I have very long hair, and I believe this suffices as a head covering.

whoops, I read back a page and what I just said was discussed on that page. But I agree with what was said

yourstrulyjulie said:

I don't think its necessary. 1 Cor 11:2-16 refers to a women covering her head, but I believe it is talking about hair. I have very long hair, and I believe this suffices as a head covering.

whoops, I read back a page and what I just said was discussed on that page. But I agree with what was said

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Of course it does. Long or not.

Wait, so if I go bald, I don't have to wear lace on my head?

I think since its not a requirement anyway if you go bald you can just be bald. But I'd think since we'd stop having hair we'd no longer have a head covering so we'd need a hat???

it's unbelieveable how much I forget things I read in the Bible and I've read the NT about 3 times now

I didn't even remember about hair being a head covering in and of itself - I did know about covering of the hair but I did not know about the hair being the covering. I hate that I forget so much of the Bible

Dont feel bad Ladybug. I've read the bible over and over too in the past and i dont remember it.

Brikkz said:

Dont feel bad Ladybug. I've read the bible over and over too in the past and i dont remember it.

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Yeah - I don't understand why I read the Bible so many times and don't consciously remember so many things. Certain things come back but I wonder why they don't stay in the conscious part of the memory.

Gwendolyn said:

Wait, so if I go bald, I don't have to wear lace on my head?

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Not have to but please do, or a wig or something. The glare might be distracting.

Gwendolyn said:

Oh gosh, men in uniforms...

Anyway, what always strikes me about this modesty discussion is a projection of male weakness onto women. Because men are lusty, women therefore have to cover up, instead of men learning how to control their passions.

However, on the converse, men don't have to go to the same lengths as women, presumably because there is an unspoken assumption that women either do not struggle with lust, or struggle less desperately than men. Let me tell you... those assumptions are completely false.

If we go to the extreme, like men here who believe burqas are the most admirable and modest attire for women, then perhaps we ought to propose the same for men, in order to protect our sisters who struggle with lust as well.

Or everyone could just learn to control their own passions.

Note: I am not advocating walking around half-naked, but let's watch the accusations fly.

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Don't you think other christian women should be concerned about their brothers in Christ and about certain clothing that could cause a stumbling block for others?

The idea of wearing whatever you want and telling others to "control themselves" is a very self-centered and selfish way of thinking. It also shows one has no care or concern for their brothers in Christ.

We should not lay down stumbling blocks for others. Whether is be by provocative clothing, peer pressure, drinking, temptation. Whoever you cause to stumble , their blood will be upon your shoulders on judgement day.

All one has to do is look at the Virgin Mary and the saints to know how modesty and the veil are interconnected.

Edit - I do not believe that God is so ummm well stupid to care about what is on my head. Odd that men do. Afre you guys so filled with passion for ladies that...well... All the men I know apparently don't give a fig about what is on a ladies head, altho most find long hair a turn on. Tradition might be a reason for veiling for whatever excuse such as we are lesser than in God's eyes so yad yada yada. I believe God is bigger than a squable over veiling. As I said I love hats, mantilla's etc but that showing modesty...well...

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apparently God thought it important enough to inspire St. Paul to speak about it to the Corinthians. And the way St. Paul talks about it doesn't sound like it is a small thing. And neither did the Virgin Mary and the saints. You claim it is stupid, but then again the bible says the things of God are foolishness to the world.