Mantilla
A Mantilla is a triangular headscarf made of cloth or lace previously worn to cover the head of Catholic women while attending certain religious ceremonies in churches, most notably Mass. Etymology: Spanish, diminutive of manta, cape.
History
Mantillas are based on a commandment by Saint Paul found in 1 Corinthians 11:1-17. Like the ancient Israelites, Catholic women veiled themselves for religious purposes, and this veiling was reflected in the canon Law. The 1917 Code of Canon Law stated: "...women, however, should be with head covered and modestly dressed, ...".
In the 1960s the issue of head covering was difficult to reconcile with feminist views of modern woman. Indeed senior clerics told waiting journalists during the vacillations preceding Vatican II that the issue was not under discussion. The journalists took this as a change of policy and printed in the newspapers that Catholic women no longer had to wear the veil.[citation needed] After that, most Catholic women dropped the discipline assuming that the laws concerning use of the veil had been abrogated. When the new Code of Canon Law was published in 1983, no law on veiling was included.
The ordinance is still in effect, however, because it is an apostolic ordinance and the earliest and consistent practice of the Church for two millennia. They argue, too, that the new Code of Canon Law's silence on the matter does not mean that former law is abrogated.
- Canon 20 A later law abrogates or derogates from an earlier law, if it expressly so states, or if it is directly contrary to that law, or if it integrally reorders the whole subject matter of the earlier law. A universal law, however, does not derogate from a particular or from a special law, unless the law expressly provides otherwise.
- Canon 21 In doubt, the revocation of a previous law is not presumed; rather, later laws are to be related to earlier ones and, as far as possible, harmonized with them.
- Canon 27 Custom is the best interpreter of laws.
- Canon 28 Without prejudice to the provisions of can. 5, a custom, whether contrary to or apart from the law, is revoked by a contrary custom or law. But unless the law makes express mention of them, it does not revoke centennial or immemorial customs, nor does a universal law revoke particular customs.
Decline in usage in the Holy See
The use of headcoverings is rare among modern Catholic women. In the Vatican, use of mantillas among state visitors has also declined marketedly. Irish president Mary Robinson, Soviet Union First Lady Raisa Gorbachev and German Chancellor Angela Merkel all met popes without wearing mantillas. Though Robinson's decision not to wear a mantilla (and to wear dark green rather than black) was condemned by a Catholic priest in Ireland, the Holy See indicated that no offence whatsoever was caused by her decision. Queen Sophia of Spain has also opted to not wear a mantilla when visiting the Vatican (as a Catholic Queen she's entitled to wear white instead of black).
Continuing usage
Traditionalist Catholic women wear the veil any time they are in the presence of the Eucharist (at Mass, when entering churches, during sick calls, etc.), when they approach the altar, and when in the presence of the Pope. Among most Catholics, the veil is sometimes worn, sometimes not — and mantillas are sometimes worn for cultural reasons at weddings, funerals and during Maundy Thursday, especially in southern european countries such as Spain and within Latin America. Head covering by women is also found among Orthodox Christian women, Fundamentalist Protestant women, Orthodox Jewish women, and Muslim women.
Famous wearers have included Grace Kelly, Jackie Kennedy, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton.
References
The 1917 Code of Canon Law. Canon 1262.2
See Also
External links
- History, Use, and Different Kinds of Mantillas Spanish-type mantillas