A short and enjoyable read, the book is about 130 pages, and can be read in a day. In my estimation it is the most thorough book on the subject. It even includes a canonical viewpoint that cannot be overlooked (see Appendix 2). It will be helpful to see this book in its broad context, reaching across a span of 2,00 plus years. I hope eventually it will be translated into Italian, Spanish, and French. And even a second edition will be welcome as the theology of veiling is further explored by the author as an integral part of the liturgical arts.
The advent of this book is important for many reasons and the timing is perfect. Many women as asking for the reasons why Catholic women should rediscover this as part of our Tradition. The question presents itself: "Why is it part of our Tradition for Catholic ladies to cover their head in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament?" The book seeks to answer this question and gives many reasons, while pointing out that the concept veiling must be understood in the context of the Blessed Eucharist.
It should also be pointed out how the book explains well both the history and the doctrine. It will not be out of place to remark here that the idea of women covering their head in church (either with a veil or a hat) was not only received in Tradition, but is also contained in the Scriptures. The author includes the relevant scriptural verses. Both fonts of revelation touch on this subject.
Further, she aptly addresses common objections to the comeback and the general contention that women should forget about the tradition of veiling, a polemic that arose in the late 1960s, piggy-backing on the then brewing and tragically godless feminist movement of the radical left. We all are well acquainted with the results, devastated vineyards and empty churches, the result of a spirit of revolution that entered the Church and the world, fomenting disobedience and dissent from Catholic truth.
Chapter Three is a magna carta, with this title: Why Wear the Mantilla in Modern Times. Below are the reasons she gives. Please note: not a few are related to the liturgical aspect.
1. REASON 1: HUMILITY AND REVERENCE BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
2. REASON 2: THE IMAGE OF WOMAN AS SACRED VESSEL
3. REASON 3: THE IMAGE OF WOMAN AS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
4. REASON 4: THE MANTILLA IS A UNIQUELY FEMININE DEVOTION
5. REASON 5: THE MANTILLA EXPRESSES TRUE FEMININITY
6. REASON 6: THE MANTILLA INCREASES AWARENESS OF MODESTY OF CLOTHING
7. REASON 7: THE MANTILLA INCREASES SENSITIVITY TOWARDS SACRED SPACE AND TIME
8. REASON 8: THE MANTILLA IS A SIGN OF REBELLION [OTHER-WORLDLINESS - WE ARE IN THIS WORLD, BUT NOT OF THE WORLD]
9. MANTILLA AND THE EXAMPLE OF MARY
From reading the testimony of this book, students of Catholic history cannot fail to reach one conclusion: the principle of the veil - which all antiquity held - theoretically and practically - was always and everywhere the same as the Church holds today in her immemorial teaching on the subject.
The discipline of veiling, although not mandatory today, has been preserved by the Apostolic Churches of the East, by those particular Churches which were founded by the Apostles. Tertullian sometimes calls them "Mother Churches."
On this account, the tradition of the veil enjoys a special dignity and has from the Apostolic age been held in great esteem and importance. It also traces its origins back to pre-Christian Jewish times. Such historical testimony shows the veil as part of what the whole Christian antiquity thought, believed, and professed always and everywhere from the earliest years of Christianity, as a belief held from the time of the Apostles. This is the clincher.
In concluding, it must be noted that Tradition plays a big role. The Universal Church professes in her acts and practices certain truths and discipline that can be defended by Tradition. St. Augustine writes a convincing argument related to this: if any one wants to know the divine authority for a practice, the holy Doctor derives his response from this principle, "What the Universal Church holds and was not instituted by the Councils, but was always retained, is rightly believed to be delivered by Apostolic authority" (August, De Bapt, L. IV, C. XXIV).
In short, I encourage everyone to read this book -- purchase two copies -- one for your home library and another to share with a young Catholic under the age of 30. Let's make sure this treasure will be a bestseller. For more information or to purchase, click HERE.
