The 40 Questions Most Frequently Asked
About The Catholic Church
By Non-Catholics

37. Why Hats in Church?

Why is that in the Catholic Church women must wear hats?

The practical reason is so that the woman's hair, which is her pride and glory, will not be a distraction to others. Likewise, it has always been a custom of etiquette in Old and New Testament times for a woman to cover her hair as a sign of her subservience to men. St. Paul uses this reason:

"Judge for yourselves; does it become a woman to pray to God uncovered?" 1 Cor. 11:13

"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, for it is the same as if she were shaven." 1 Cor. 11:4, 5
St. Paul is here insisting on the natural subordinate position of women, particularly in church affairs. He is settling a dispute which had arisen among the Corinthians where certain women here, as in other Greek cities, enjoyed a great deal of liberty. At meetings many had presumed to attend without veil and even to speak. And St. Paul condemns this practice as improper and contrary to custom.

Catholic women, then, keep their heads covered out of respect for the house of God and for the real presence of our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament which is on the altar.


The 40 Questions Most Frequently Asked ...
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