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

Veiling

Wearing a lace mantilla is not the only way to cover one's head and retain modesty in Church.  It really does not matter how a lady or young girl covers their head, it is the act of being willing to veil for God which is important. 

A peasant style cream scarf with a larger brown patterned one, enshrouds this lady and shows true modesty and femininity.

A simple white scarf can work just as well as lace to veil a lady. 

Brightly coloured scarves can often be a popular choice for young ladies.

Purple, rose patterned head scarf covers (most) of the hair and gives a modest air appropriate for Church. From Etsy.

Many European ladies would don silk scarves for Holy Mass instead of the mantilla. This looks very elegant.

Young Russian girls lighting tapers in coloured and patterned scarves wrapped around their heads very modestly.

Praying in Upper Egypt in plain black head scarves. 

'O how beautiful is the chaste generation with glory- for the memory thereof is immortal; because it is known with both God and with men.'

Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is one of the greatest Feasts of our Holy Catholic Faith. For hundreds of years magnificent Processions have held place where Priests and lay people reverently and proudly process the streets behind Our Lord. Never has it been more vital than today to bring Jesus through the streets, to publicly show our deep love and gratitude and adoration of Him, and not of the world.

Corpus Christi is the perfect feast day for First Holy Communion where a little child receives Christ's Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity for the first time. 

1950s England - beautifully stylish and classical First Holy Communion girls. Lace caps, flowers and gloves were all very popular.

Corpus Christi in Serbia. Traditional dress looks so beautiful!

German First Holy Communicants in glorious national dress. I love their intricate hair styles and jewelled head dresses.

Our annual Corpus Christi Procession in Oxford. The First Holy Communicants wear their dresses and veils and scatter rose petals in front of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Grace Therese with her rose petals before the Procession on the Feast of Corpus Christi. 

'O Sacrament most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, All praise and all thanksgiving

be every moment Thine'