Catholics/hair coverings

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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 7/25/2007


Question
Hello,
  I am confused about something after visiting a synagogue.  There all men had to cover their heads to worship.
  I remember a time when at Mass every woman was required to cover her head to get into church but men were not allowed to wear hats in church as it was disrespectful.  But many say the bible says that the covering for woman is their hair and that men should cover their heads to worship.
What do you think?

Answer
Hi, Don:
Thanks for the question.

I am familiar with the Scriptural injunctions concerning the head covering given by St. Paul in I Cor Ch. 11.
In verse 4 he says: "Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head."  And in verse 10: "...a woman ought to have a veil on her head because of the angels."
Perhaps the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures say something else?  That would make an interesting study.  Can you give me some Scripture verses that indicate that a man ought to have his head covered at prayer?
This is the kind of study that is worthwhile to delve into as the custom of the chapel veil seems to have fallen off without any good religious, cultural, and theological explanation.  Perhaps it is one of those things that we never properly appreciated at the time, and observed without adequate knowledge and formation; and so it was easily and thoughtlessly cast off without informed reflection?

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

Expertise

A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

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