Chapel veils, undated

File — Box: 77

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

Material culture and pamphlets that document the Liturgical Movement and changes in religious life in the American Catholic Church from the early twentieth century through the implementation of the Second Vatican Council's reforms in the 1960s and 1970s. The collection contains artifacts of many kinds, including badges, bookmarks, candles, chalices, chaplets, crosses, crucifixes, holy water containers, jewelry, key rings, medals, money clips, monstrances, pins, plaques, relics, rosaries, scapulars, sick call sets, statues, vestments, and altar textiles.

Dates

Creation: undated

Creator

From the Collection: Leonard, William J. (1908-2000) (Compiler, Person)

Language of Materials

From the Collection:

This collection is mostly in English, with some materials in French, German, Italian, Latin, Lithuanian, Polish, Slovenian, and Spanish.

Access Note

Collection is open for research.

Definition and use

Chapel veils are circular or triangular pieces of cloth worn by Catholic women as a gesture of modesty within a church. Usually made from white or black lace, a chapel veil can have simple patterns, such as flowers, or adornments such as beads or pearls. Post-Vatican II, chapel veils are no longer required, although some women continue to wear them.

Sources:

Marlin, Jodi. “Voluntary use of pre-Vatican II obligation growing.” Today’s Catholic, May 1, 2018. https://todayscatholic.org/voluntary-use-of-pre-vatican-ii-obligation-growing/.

“Why do Catholic women wear chapel veils at Mass?” Veils by Lily. Accessed 5 August 2024. https://www.veilsbylily.com/frequently-asked-questions.