Expert: Fr. Michael - 11/20/2008

Question
Dear Fr. Jerome,
I was curious as to whether or not women could, or should, wear a head covering or pants to Mass. I decided to wear headcoverings and skirts to Mass about a year ago after researching the topics. I was raised somewhere between the traditional and more "liberal" church. Now that I have decided to take responsibility for learning about my faith, instead of just going by what my parents taught me, I find myself leaning very much toward the traditional side.
I would like to know the traditional standpoint on headcoverings and pants during Mass. Thank you very much.
  -Liz

Answer
       Traditionally, women cover their heads in church.  This practice follows a received custom practiced from very early in the Church.  St. Paul, in his First Letter to the Corinthians (11:4-5), writes:  "Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered, disgraces his head.  But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered disgraces her head."  In other words, such a woman wounds her feminine dignity.

       From this custom arises Canon 1262.2 of the traditional Canon Law of the Church:

       Viri in ecclesia vel extra ecclesiam, dum sacris ritibus
       assistunt, nudo capite sint, nisi aliud ferant probati
       populorum mores aut peculiaria rerum adiuncta; mulieres
       autem,
       capite cooperato et modeste vestitae, maxime cum ad mensam
       Dominicam accedunt.

       [Men should be with head uncovered in church or outside of
       church, when they assist at the sacred rites, unless the
       approved customs of the people or additional particulars
       of the circumstances call for something else; women,
       however, should be with head covered and modestly dressed,
       particularly when they approach the Lord's table.]

In addition, you should be sure that you are assisting at a site where the true Mass is being offered and the unadulterated Catholic Faith is being preached.  If you are not current at such a site, see the list at www.traditio.com/nat.htm.