A mantilla is a traditional Spanish and Latin American liturgical lace or silk veil or shawl worn over the head and shoulders, often over a high comb called a
In Roman Catholicism, headcovering for women was unanimously held by the Latin Church until the 1983 Code of Canon Law came into effect. A headcovering in the Catholic tradition carries the status of a sacramental.
Mantilla veils are traditionally worn during a full Catholic service in a church.
Traditionally, white mantillas were worn by unmarried women or young girls. Black mantillas were worn to funerals and by married or widowed women.
In Roman Catholicism, a black veil is the traditional sign of a professed nun. Some monasteries or communities bestow the black veil at the first profession of vows, but usually it is bestowed with the profession of solemn vows.
Worn in Spain since the 16th century, the mantilla (or veil) is worn over the head and shoulders and is viewed as a symbol of reverence to God's will.
It was made into a Canon law 1262.2 in 1917 that a woman should cover her head and wear modest dress while attending holy rituals or if she is in the holy church, meanwhile men were not to wear anything to cover their head. Reportedly, this canon was dropped in 1983 when the new Code of Canon law was developed.
Why do Catholic women wear chapel veils at Mass? The veil is meant to be an external sign of a woman's interior desire to humble herself before God, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I get asked this question all the time: are mantilla veils only appropriate for religious ceremonies? The answer is, absolutely not! Although mantillas are a popular veil choice for Catholic ceremonies, they are a desired look for anyone bride seeking a timeless, lasting impression.
Just as the funeral traditions vary, attire does as well. Mourners in smaller areas are usually Christian and dress as they would for a religious ceremony wearing muted colored clothing that covers their bodies. Women will often wear head covers or Mantillas to show faith and respect.
It was once a requirement in the Catholic Church that women cover their heads in Church. The forms of covering ranged from a mantilla to a hat or a simple headscarf. Today most Catholic women do not wear head covering in Church, but many traditionalist Catholic Women do.
The Holy Communion's veil worn as a female head covering is symbolic of humility to God, reverence, and modesty. Although veils are no longer considered a mandatory part of the communion, they are still considered tradition.
"Most traditional Catholic churches require that the bride's shoulders be covered during mass, whether that means a dress with sleeves or lace from a mantilla veil," says Stark. "Traditionally, a veil shows the interior desire for a bride being humble, and it is also a sign of purity."
The skull cap, or zucchetto, was originally used by clergy members hundreds of years ago because when they took a vow of celibacy, a ring of hair was cut off their heads. The skull caps were used to cover that part of the head to retain body heat. Now it's an obligatory part of the Papal garb.
Muslim women who say they cover their heads were further asked what type of head covering they generally use – hijab, niqab or burqa. (The terms were not defined for respondents.) A majority of all Muslim women in India (64%) say they generally wear a burqa, which covers the entire face.
The halo on the saints' heads in sacred images is usually represented as a circle painted in gold or blue. Originally, saints had laurel crowns like the Roman emperors and famous people, but later the laurel crown was replaced by a golden crown, and in the end, by a golden circle.
Place the mantilla at the top of your head.
This is the most traditional way to wear a mantilla. Wearing it in this way, allows the lace to gracefully draped over the shoulders, nicely framing the face. When wearing your mantilla this way, make sure the place the comb 2 inches back from the start of your hair line.
Women and girls must cover their heads. (Chapel veils or mantillas are available for loan in the vestibule.) Women and girls must wear dresses or skirts that cover the knee completely when sitting or standing; slacks, shorts, sleeveless, tight or low-cut clothing or dresses with long cuts or slits are to be avoided.
Catholic Funeral Etiquette
Men should wear a Black or dark-colored, semi-formal suit and tie while a smart Black dress or suit is suitable for women. Head coverings are not considered important for women – but you can cover your head, usually by a hat, to show modesty.
The veil for a religious sister is a sign of consecration, it's a sign of being set apart for God. You can sort of compare it to a married woman's wedding ring.
In accordance with what is known as the privilège du blanc, only the queen of Spain and selected other Catholic wives of Catholic sovereigns can wear a white mantilla during an audience with the Pope.
A mantilla is a ceremonial Spanish garment which is often passed down through many generations. The original development of the mantilla, as with many traditions, varies on several accounts. Some state that the mantilla originated in the northern regions of Spain, where its functionality was more that of a blanket.
Because Catholic weddings place a premium on modesty, guests are wary of wearing sleeveless attire. However, most Catholic churches now allow brides to wear sleeveless wedding gowns. In addition, if a priest permits a bride to wear a sleeveless dress, guests will likely be allowed to do the same.
The practice likely traces back more than 2,000 years, with roots in the Roman Republic (509 B.C. - 27 B.C.) when brides wore a white tunic. The color white represented purity, symbolizing both a woman's chastity and her transition to a married Roman matron.
“We can wear daw any color we want, as long as we live on our holy vows and hindi kami maghihiwalay.” The priest told them in verbatim: “For as long as you and your future husband will hold on to your promises to love each other till death do you part, it doesn't matter if you wear black, pink, blue, or red.”