Why are more Catholic women today choosing to wear veils during Mass? What was once seen as a tradition of the past is experiencing a quiet yet noticeable resurgence. Veil makers report growing demand, and veiling is increasingly a subject of discussion in Catholic media.
Rooted in Scripture and full of spiritual meaning, the veil is a powerful symbol of humility and reverence, meant to honor God in the sacred space of the Mass. Some women also see veiling as a way to foster a deeper connection with the Eucharist. The revival of the practice reflects a growing interest in embracing symbolic significance in Catholic worship and upholding the reverence of the liturgy.
Where does this practice come from?
Many women today may not remember a time when wearing a veil to Mass was mandatory, but it was once a common practice until changes introduced by the Second Vatican Council and other documents redefined the norm.
Many people refer to St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians as scriptural support for the practice of women wearing veils in Mass. While there are various interpretations of 1 Cor 11, it was customary for Christian women to cover their heads as a sign of modesty during St. Paul’s time. This tradition was codified in Canon 1262 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law, which also included guidelines for men to be bareheaded.
However, the practice began to fade by the early ’70s, following the Second Vatican Council, and the canon was removed by Pope St. John Paul II in his 1983 revision of the Code. Today, women have the freedom whether or not to wear veils and head coverings to Mass. While the majority still opt not to cover their heads, an increasing number are rediscovering and embracing this tradition once again.
Imitating Christ
As the practice of wearing veils to Mass grows, many women and businesses are contributing to its resurgence. Artisans and entrepreneurs are catering to the flourishing market for veils that honor both tradition and personal devotion.
Ava Maria Veil Co. creates custom-made, one-of-a-kind veils, each meticulously crafted to reflect the concept of imago Dei — the truth that every individual is uniquely made in the image and likeness of God. Cecilia Blackwell, who founded Ava Maria Veil Co. in 2021, shared with Our Sunday Visitor that it took her nearly two years to overcome a fear of standing out and start wearing a veil at Mass.
“Wearing a veil is a beautiful practice, and I know many women have found a deeper relationship with Christ in the Eucharist as a result,” Blackwell shared. “One beautiful aspect behind the theology of veiling is that Christ, the source of life, hides himself under the veil of the Eucharist. When women veil — women who have the unique capability of carrying new life within us — we imitate Christ in this way.”
Blackwell also noted that veiling requires a “delicate balance,” pointing out that some women who initially embraced the practice later stopped when it became a source of pride for them. “While veiling is an important tradition that should be cultivated and embraced, it’s not one that should be pushed onto anyone,” she emphasized.
Since launching her business, Blackwell has seen a surge in demand for her one-of-a-kind veils, which often sell out quickly.
“I believe it’s due to a hunger for beauty that people have deep within their souls,” she said. “There’s a growing desire, especially among Catholic teens and young adults, to embrace the beauty of tradition. Lace chapel veils are, simply put, beautiful. Many young women are drawn to veiling simply by how beautiful it is. I know that’s what first drew me to veiling, and I’ve heard the same from countless other young women.”
‘Starving for sacredness’
Another company creating veils and seeing increased demand is Veils by Lily, founded more than 10 years ago by Lily Wilson. Inspired to wear a veil, Wilson began creating them at home and eventually turned her passion into a business. Today, Veils by Lily offers more than 80 styles, including different sizes, colors and even prints.
According to Margaret Kiser, the company’s vice president of operations, veiling represents “a sign of reverence, humility and a love for the real presence in the Eucharist.”
“It’s a quiet yet profound kind of reminder to be spiritually veiled in Christ’s grace,” Kiser said. “It’s why wearing a veil for me and so many of our customers is not just an external practice but an internal disposition of surrendering to God.”
Many customers initially feel nervous about standing out, she added, only to discover that veiling deepens their faith as they become less concerned with “the outward world” and more focused on their relationship with Christ.
“People are starving for sacredness,” Kiser said. “As our business grows, we see women rediscovering the beauty of this tradition and yearning for reverence and the sacredness of it all.”
For those who fear that they are not wearing veils the “right way,” Kiser counseled them to remember who they are veiling for: “You’re getting dressed and veiling for God,” she said. “Get ready as if you would for your husband or a special date. … Just wear and enjoy your veil!”
An expression of reverence
Discussing veiling in an episode of “Revive: The National Eucharistic Revival Podcast,” Father Agustino Torres of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal emphasized that if “we’re talking about veils, we should be talking about prayer and union with God.”
“How beautiful it is that young people want to pray! How beautiful it is that words like ‘reverence,’ even in the way that we dress, are part of the conversation now,” he continued. “There’s this surging desire to reflect reverence, even in the way you’re walking into Church.”
Lorena Beltran, a FOCUS missionary at Oklahoma State University, echoed this sentiment of veiling as an “expression of reverence.”
“Wearing a veil is a way I show respect and humility before the Lord, inspired by the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who faithfully followed God’s will,” Beltran said. “Like Mary, I wear the veil as a symbol of my desire to honor God during Mass, reflecting her devotion and obedience to the Father.”
Whether through a call to reverence, a desire for beauty or the pursuit of spiritual growth in prayer, the resurgence of veiling highlights a broader longing for sacredness in a world that often feels disconnected from it. While the decision to veil is deeply personal, it embodies a growing movement that strives to honor God both inwardly and outwardly, in spirit and in action.
