Lenten Reflection for March 18th

Years ago I felt a calling and desire to learn more about the tradition of women wearing a mantilla, or head covering, when they went to Mass. I had seen a few women practise the act of covering their heads and knew it had something to do with respect but I wasn’t sure of much else.

After reading and hearing stories of women who wore a mantilla to Mass and why it was important to them, I felt called to start doing the same. I took time to pray about it, wanting to be sure I understood why I wore one and to be able to give an answer to anyone who might ask why I chose to wear it.

After I prayed about it, I decided instead of purchasing one, I wanted to make my own as a prayerful exercise. I went to the fabric store and found some lace that just so happened to have a beautiful rose pattern, perfect for reminding me of Our Lady’s love for us! I stitched it together and the next time my husband and I went to Mass, I brought it with me. No one in our parish really practised wearing mantillas at the time so I was very self-conscious about wearing it. I was afraid of what people might think of me. I remember my hands trembling when I put it on my head and pinned it in place! As I knelt to pray, I felt better as I remembered this wasn’t about anyone else around me, it was a special sign of devotion, respect and reverence for the Lord just from myself.

I still often wear a mantilla to Mass, though there are times I choose not to wear one as I don’t want it to turn into a practice that I merely do out of habit or the sake of appearance rather than Love. I remind myself of what Christ says in Matthew’s Gospel, “Beware of practising your piety before others in order to be seen by them; for then you have no reward from your Father in heaven…And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1, 5-6) 

Although we can certainly witness what we understand to be pious behaviour, Piety is how we in our own heart grow closer to God. The Gift of Piety helps us see God as a loving Father who we are devoted to with ‘childlike’ love. Let’s pray to continue to be open to God’s love transforming our heart, drawing us ever closer to Him.

For our younger brothers and sisters in Christ:

When we hear the word Piety, or pious, we may have in mind an image of someone who is constantly praying, reading their Bible, or always going to church. These are wonderful examples of how we can see the gift of Piety, but it goes deeper than that.

The Gift of Piety helps us to desire a loving relationship with God as our Heavenly Father, the way a child has a loving relationship with their father. The way we can grow in this relationship with God is by talking to Him through prayer each day, by reading His words to us in the Bible and by going to church to be with and worship among our brothers and sisters in faith.

A great verse from the Bible to help us keep in prayer as we grow in our faith with the Holy Spirit’s Gift of Piety comes from Deuteronomy, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5 ICB)

God bless you!