Daughters in the Presence: Embracing Sacred Femininity at Mass
By Liah Ostrom
“Because of the angels…”
— 1 Corinthians 11:10
I remember the first time I saw a woman wearing a veil at Mass. She knelt silently before Mass began, her lace mantilla gently falling over her shoulders like a whisper. I didn’t know what it meant at the time, but something about it stirred my heart.
It felt… ancient. Mysterious. Beautiful.
And I wondered, Why do Catholic women veil?
I never imagined I would become one of them.
A Forgotten Tradition
Veiling is a practice that reaches back centuries, rooted in Scripture and tradition. In 1 Corinthians 11, St. Paul speaks about women covering their heads as a sign of honor and reverence before God:
“A woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels.”
For centuries, Catholic women veiled at Mass as a sign of humility, modesty, and sacred femininity. It was normal and expected, until it quietly faded out in the years following Vatican II (despite never being formally abolished).
Today, it's making a quiet return among Catholic women who long to recover what’s been lost.
Why I Started Veiling
Before I converted to Catholicism, I was captivated by the beauty of the Church’s traditions, but veiling? That felt… intimidating. Maybe even a little extreme. But the more I learned about the symbolism behind it, the more I felt Mary’s gentle tug.
I began to understand the veil not as a burden, but as a gift, a physical expression of something spiritual:
Reverence for the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Humility before the mystery of God.
Sacred identity as a woman created in the image of God.
Eventually, I bought a simple cotton veil, folded it carefully into my bag, and brought it with me to Adoration. My heart was pounding the first time I wore it. I felt exposed, but also covered in grace.
And something changed in me.
What the Veil Reminds Me
Veiling doesn’t make you holier. It’s not required. But for me, it’s become a quiet invitation to enter more deeply into the mystery of the Mass.
Here’s what it reminds me every time I place it over my head:
That I am stepping onto holy ground.
That my body, and my womanhood, are sacred.
That I am not just attending Mass, I am adoring the King.
That like Mary, I am called to receive, to ponder, and to say “yes.”
“But What Will People Think”
That fear is real. I’ve had it too.
Veiling can feel countercultural, even awkward, especially if you're the only one in your parish doing it. But here’s the truth: holiness will always look strange to the world. Reverence is never wasted. And if veiling is something God is placing on your heart, don’t be afraid to respond.
You don’t have to explain yourself to everyone. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just need to listen, discern, and obey the quiet movements of grace.
Practical Tips for Starting
If you’re thinking about veiling, here are a few gentle tips:
Start small. Try veiling during Adoration or daily Mass.
Choose a veil you love. Lace, cotton, neutral colors, make it your own.
Pray before Mass. Ask Mary to help you approach her Son with her heart.
Ignore the stares. You're not veiling for others, you're veiling for Him.
Covered in Grace
Veiling has become one of the most intimate and meaningful parts of my spiritual life. It reminds me that I am not just a face in the pew, I am a beloved daughter, coming before her Father.
And more than anything, it reminds me of her,
Our Lady.
The humble handmaid. The silent intercessor. The veiled one.
Through veiling, I feel closer to her.
And through her, always closer to Jesus.
“Let it be done to me according to your word.”
— Luke 1:38