Mantilla: The Veil of the Bride of Christ

by Anna Elissa, Antonio G. Filipazzi (Foreword)

The mantilla or the chapel veil is part of the rich traditions of the Catholic Church. Recently, it is gaining familiarity in the Church in Indonesia. Besides being a tradition, the mantilla is also accepted and promoted as a form of private Eucharistic devotion. However, still not many people understand the deep and beautiful meaning of the Christian practice of veiling Although originally written for Indonesian audience, " the Veil of the Bride of Christ" is relevant for readers in the entire Church. This book helps answer the need for catechesis and apologetics on Christian veiling, from history to theology, from the Sacred Scripture to St. Thomas Aquinas to St. John Paul II. It is hoped that we may know and love this ancient practice more, and also able to explain it to those who ask about a reason of that hope which is in us (cf. 1 Peter 3:15).

Genres: Devotional, Religion

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2016

About the author

Anna Elissa is a wife, mother, psychiatrist, and Lay Dominican. She reads about things that she is passionate about. She writes also about things that she is passionate about. Both are for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wearing a veil (mantilla) again was a hard thing for me to begin doing … until I did it. According to the author of this book, Anna Elissa, that is a fairly common experience of those who begin veiling to Mass.

I’d worn one before, many years ago when I was a little girl. Born towards the end of the pontificate of Pope Pius XII, I grew up during the years of Second Vatican Council—watching the church change around me. No one ever explained why women stopped wearing head coverings; one day we just didn't need them anymore. I don't remember how I felt about it at the time. I wish my memory was better; if I could go back to that time I would certainly listen to conversations more carefully.

In her first (because I am sure it will not be her last!) book, Anna Elissa has presented a convincing case for a return to the lovely practice of veiling, for women worshipping their Lord and Savior as the Bride of Christ.

She prepares us with background information on veiling from Sacred Scripture, Apostolic Tradition and Church History. She explains the significance of the Mass as wedding feast and the appropriateness of concern for attire, spiritual as well as physical. There follows a discussion of nine reasons why veiling is still appropriate today as well as a chapter devoted to overcoming concerns/objections. Personal testimonies, practical tips for wearing, an excellent guest article and places to buy mantillas are also included.

My favorite part, however, was the Chapter entitled, The Mantilla Alone is not enough. Indeed it is not. It is only the beginning. Now the REAL worship must begin! The point I liked best was that while veiling is no longer required, do we only give God just what is required? Or do we seek ways to give Him more?

Thank you Anna for a wonderful book! It is a delightful read and a book I will recommend to my women friends.

August 21, 2016: I couldn't put this down once I started it! Review coming!

[Josephine (Jo) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely little book about devotion (or the lack of it) in the modern day. It lays out all the reasons why women used to wear the mantilla and gives us plenty of reasons why the practice is now becoming popular again in many countries. The author covers so many points of faith, she gives us quotations from the Bible that we can use as evidence for the tradition of head covering. There is a section telling the reader what types and shapes of mantilla there are and if you should choose to do so, how to make one. The book points out that it is by no means a way of making the women feel less or inferior, it is in fact an honour for a lady to show that she recognises that she is a 'bride of Christ' and that she respects his presence upon the altar. The author also points out that men show respect by removing their hats in church and that is recognised as the correct thing to do.
I was brought up in the days when a woman had to cover her head inside a church. When the rule was relaxed and it was no longer compulsory the practice was very quickly dropped. I always liked to wear a mantilla in church and I wore it as a sign of respect and an outward sign that I knew that I was in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. As soon as ladies were free to choose whether to cover their head or not mostly they decided not to. My personal feeling was that they had been to the hairdresser on Saturday and did not want to spoil the fancy hair do with a hat or head scarf. That is fine if they felt that way but eventually those of us who still wanted to cover our head became the odd ones out. 'Why is she still wearing that? We don't have to any more.' It is a matter of choice, but when you are so outnumbered it is very hard to do something that makes you stand out. I would not expect anyone to have to cover their head if they did not wish to. Likewise I feel that if a lady wants to show that little bit of modesty and respect then she should be free to do so.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique read that I enjoyed! I love little books like these that do justice to that one niche subject that simply needs talking about and yet somehow no one has yet. It shed some light on a devotion I often see at Mass and in Churches (and I must admit I sometimes participate in as well) but never really fully understood.

It was very thorough despite its short length: it discussed the scriptural basis of wearing a headcovering, what the code of canon law says about it, good reasons why it is a devotion worth practicing and even some practical notes about wearing it. My one qualm about it (and despite just being one it was quite serious, at least for me) lies in its organisation. I sensed a distinct lack of a central idea of message surrounding the mantilla, the book covered a lot but it felt scattered and often times repetitive. Some very interesting topics that were brought up (like the wounds of the Fall) never seemed to have been brought up without bringing it full-circle back to the Mantilla. I would have loved reading how our fallenness and the three wounds that the author mentions (which was great, since I did not know this before!) signifies our need to wear clothes and hence how this ties into wearing the Mantilla. The writing also lacked a coherent progression: the book started with Scriptures, which makes sense, but how does this act as precursor to the following chapter?

I might be being overly pedantic here, and I guess when all is said and done I enjoyed reading it and it has helped me understand my faith better in more respects that just wearing the Mantilla.

[Emile Kraushaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent discussion of the subject

I've been extremely frustrated trying to find a discussion of chapel veils that sited its sources and backed up its arguments with evidence. I found Ms. Elissa's arguments extremely well put together with a wealth of original sources on the tradition. I'd say they was room for arguing cultural differences in some her early sources and I wished she'd brought out Pope St. John Paul's discussion of Genesis 1:27 on women being just as much created in the image of God as men. I think an understanding of how is liked to a woman in different aspects of the Bible as well as an understanding of how wisdom is personified in the feminine in the Wisdom books of the Bible can be helpful in keeping the tradition of chapel veiling in its proper context and not abused as a means of devaluing women below men in God 's creation of humanity

[Fr. Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because of the cultural baggage, the topic of women veiling their heads at Church is not well understood. Anna Elissa gives an easy-to-read description of the history of the chapel veil along with some its theological import. She also provides practical tips and offers a number of testimonies from women who veil for Holy Mass. For a woman who has never worn one before, the whole process can be intimidating and there’s a certain reticence to stand out if you’re in a parish where veiling isn’t the norm. Anna Elissa does a great job in countering that reticence by providing good information and plenty of encouragement, particularly on how the veil has assisted in the development of the spiritual life of many women who have begun wearing one.

So, if you’re looking for a good book on this topic, I recommend this one.

[Kawthar Ismail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I love the depth of this work. It really touches my heart. Thank you to the author for a deeper look into manilla and the Holy Communion

[Dana Pomante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging and an easy treatment on the subject

The book is easy to read well docu.ented, not overbearing, and very he!pful. I feel blessed for ha ing read it.

[Allison Eckenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful part of the Catholic faith

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fills the heart & mind

Both with education on the history of wearing a veil, but also the spiritual devotion. Purchased a copy for myself & for my pastor, in hopes that the education and experiences of others will aid in seeking his blessing to begin this devotion. The Church (& thus the world) suffers because of ignorance of the Faith & irreverence to the Holy Eucharist. Sometimes one begets the other - it's past time for those who continually experience the conversion of heart to be allowed to practice this devotion & live their Faith as witnesses to others. Thank you, Anna, for a thorough & educational book!