Leading by example.

Little girls will only want to wear a mantilla for Church if their Mothers lead by their example. It is not just the wearing of the mantilla of course, it is the reason behind it, and this often shines through from the Mother onto the child. Sheer love for God, the knowledge and understanding that He is among us, that we are little, He is King. 

A mantilla helps a little girl to feel reverent, like modest clothes do too.

They then desire to be holy within themselves...here a little Russian Orthodox girl lights a candle with her white scarf neatly on her head.

A beautiful lemon yellow lace mantilla by 'Robin Nest Lane', details in the side bar. A gorgeous collection of coloured, lace veils.

A small head peeps over the pew- a pale pink mantilla for this little one.

Even a toddler can feel the reverence a head covering allows. 

A sweet Russian Orthodox girl wearing pure white.

Grace Therese in her white lace mantilla at a Nuptial Mass. 

'Holiness is a disposition of the heart that makes us humble and little in the arms of God, aware of our weakness and confident of His Fatherly Goodness.'

St Therese of the Child Jesus.

Brides of Christ

All Orthodox orders of Nuns still clothe themselves appropriately in full habits and veil. It is a beautiful sign of faithfulness and surrender to God to wear the habit of a religious order and one which is, tragically, not essential in some more modern orders.

Before a lady makes her Solemn and final vows to sacrifice her entire life to Jesus, she will spend some time as a novice. She will deny herself earthly things and live within the chosen order. May God Bless the courageous and holy women who have given up their lives for Christ. 

As her beautiful flowing tresses are cut off, this Russian Orthodox Novice prepares for her life with Christ and to receive her veil.

Carmelite Novices in 1944 wearing traditional bridal wear; a very beautiful sight.

Making her vows in pristine white.

Carmelite novices dressed as Brides of Christ.

A lovely Bride of Christ praying with her lighted candle.

Sr Miriam Rose fully veiled in a Wedding dress after she made her vows as a Carmelite Novice.

May God bless all women who selflessly give themselves to Christ Jesus.

'For God hath not called us unto uncleanness , but unto sanctification.'

1 Thessalonians 4;7

Eastern Orthodoxy

In my search for pictures of the mantilla, I noticed how startlingly beautiful the simple scarves and veils of the Eastern Orthodox ladies are.  Having no classical mantilla to follow, they tend to don more colourful scarves and veils. They are always extremely modest and feminine in their attire and one can see their shining example upon their little daughters.

A simple, dusty pink scarf envelopes this lady as she lights a candle at a Russian Orthodox Church. 

Very plain, white scarf for prayer in Church.

Many Eastern Orthodox ladies wear coloured plain scarves in place of the European style lace mantilla. This aquamarine scarf looks very modest and feminine.

What a beautiful Mother and Baby photo in a Russian Orthodox Church. Mother wears a patterned scarf, baby wears a sweet bonnet.

Two young ladies attired in scarves wrapped simply around them.

'But the fruit of the spirit is charity, joy, peace, benignity, patience, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, continency, chastity.' 

Gal. 5, 22-23

Vintage Veils!

The traditional lace mantilla became popular in Spain towards the end of the 15c and lace became more elaborate and commonly used by the 17c and 18c and then declined in popularity towards the end of the 19c. The lightweight lace was cool in the hot humidity of Spain and has lasted until this day for many traditional Catholics who prefer the lace softness of a mantilla to a head scarf or a hat.

Mantillas the lacy, black kind, originated from Spain in the late 15 century. This is the classic black mantilla of the Catholic noblewoman around late 16c. They have not actually changed much!

Another old picture of the black lace mantilla, around late 18c.

A beautiful white, large mantilla or shawl used for prayer. Approximately late 19c.

A crocheted mantilla, lightweight and feminine, this is 1930s. 

A classic ivory lace mantilla for the 1950s lady. 

A longer, more elaborately embroidered cream mantilla in the classic style, about 1960s.

Today girls and women can find an array of beautiful mantillas in glorious colours and fabrics. This gorgeous gold and black lace creation is from 'Veils by Lily'  mantillas, link on the right.

A Sweet Marian blue veil with white daisy trim, by 'Robin Nest Lane' Chapel veils. This lovely mantilla is just $16.

Stunning deep red coloured, almond shaped lace mantilla with black lace trim and silver sequins by Rosa Mystica Boutique on Etsy. 

'What is it all for? If they only knew what eternity is.' 

Bld. Jacinta Marto, on seeing immodestly dressed women.

Our Veiled Mother

As there have been three beautiful feasts of Our Lady recently -  Our Lady's Birthday, The Holy Name of Mary and Our Lady of Sorrows - I have been contemplating upon her even more, especially upon her holiness as a Mother and her willingness to unite her own sufferings to her Son's. She had to bear so much, sacrifice and accept so much and is the perfect example both inwardly and outwardly for Mothers to aspire to. 

Our Dear Lady, played by the beautiful Olivia Hussey, shows her as a young maiden, her head covered with a scarf as all Jewish ladies did in the Old Covenant. 

The Marriage of Our Lady and St Joseph- a traditional, Orthodox Jewish Wedding. In Judaism men cover their heads in the holy places and when praying too.

When Our Lady meets St Elizabeth - 'Blessed art thou among women!' 

Their attire and head veils show the customary fashion of women in that century- modest, feminine and humble. 

From 'The Passion of the Christ', Our Sorrowful Mother and St Mary Magdalene wear black veils.

Pain like no other pain. 

'Memorare, O piisima Virgo Maria, non esse auditum a saeculo, quemquam ad tua currentem  praesidia, tua implorantem auxilia, tua petentem suffragia esse derelicta. Nos tali animati confidentia ad te, Virgo Virginum, Mater, currimus; ad te venimus ; corum te gementes peccatores assistimus. Noli, Mater Verbi, verba nostra despicere, sed audi propitia et exaudi. Amen. 

Extraordinary Mantillas!

As long as a lady covers her head inside a Church, many believe, it does not really matter whether it is with a lace embroidered mantilla or a raincoat hood!

Veiling shows submission first and foremost to Almighty God and it is the act of head covering to make oneself aware that He is great and we are small.

A headscarf or hood might suffice if we have no other form of head covering, but these mantillas are extraordinary!

Gold glorious gold!  A vintage, gold floral pattern in black by Robin Nest Lane (details in side bar)

Intricately embroidered Wedding Veil - wholly Catholic!

Spanish style silver veil with large flowers and lace edging, also by 'Robin Nest Lane.'

Beautifully flowing white mantillas. The one with the butterfly and flowered motif is so pretty and unique.

A Russian Old Believers Bridal veil. The Old Believers separated themselves after 1666 from the Russian Orthodox Church in a protest against Church reforms brought in by Patriarch Nikon.

An exquisite pale and darker blue, lace mantilla with gorgeous roses adorning the sides. This is handmade by my friend Gail of 'Peter's Bride' on Etsy. 

Late 12century veil - the beautiful and determined Queen Isabella of England.

Lastly, an extraordinary Chapel Veil case to keep your mantillas clean and safe. Isn't this one utterly perfect for Holy Mass?

'But the fruit of the Spirit is; charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, modesty, continency, chastity.'

Galatians 5: 22-23

Mother and Child

Not only does a Mother veil to show reverence and humility towards God Himself - decreasing herself, so He can increase - it also is an example to any children she may be blessed with, especially her daughters. Teaching them from babyhood that veiling is about focusing upon God, humbling oneself in His presence and being modest and respectful, is a seed which will be sown into all aspects of their lives.

A Mother and Baby in the Russian Orthodox Church. Baby's head is also covered as is custom within the Orthodox way of life.

In the Ukraine Church the Mother's wear a beautiful, full head covering and the little girl's veil in either mantillas or head scarves.

A group of Mothers and daughters -learning by example. These are such modest style veils.

A Russian Orthodox Mother wearing a beautifully bright scarf and her young daughter wears a pretty hat. 

Babies make their First Holy Communion within the Eastern Church. Note the traditional vestments, sacred Communion cloth and the Mother is veiled in white.

Little Grace Therese wearing a veil in Holy Mass...she is aware that we always cover our heads when entering the House of God. 

Lastly, let us always look to Our Blessed Mother for the best example of modesty and humility. 

'Let us run to Mary, and as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with perfect confidence.'

St Francis de Sales

Meeting the Holy Father.

Wearing a mantilla to meet the Holy Father or a Cardinal...or a Saint...

Meeting Cardinal Burke certainly deserves a white, lace mantilla.

Jacqueline Kennedy meeting Pope Paul VI, July 2nd 1963.

In June 1987 when Nancy Reagan met Pope John Paul II she donned a black lace mantilla.

The ever elegant Princess Grace Kelly about to meet Pope John XXIII in June 1959.

Ladies adorned in white lace to meet the future Saint, Padre Pio. Holiness emanated through him to all he met.

What an honour to meet Archbishop Fulton Sheen!

St Therese of the Child Jesus meeting Pope Leo XIII to ask permission to enter Carmel at just 15yrs. 

'He must increase, but I must decrease,'

Gospel of St John, 3:30