The Mystery of the Veil

The Holy Habit (or you can insert here the Plain Catholic's clothing)

...The symbolism of the habit is a natural outgrowth of its inner reality. Beginning with the veil we see a powerful symbol which itself means "mystery". In Scriptures the things that were veiled were those most sacred. For example, the Holy of Holies, the most hallowed of all places for the Jews, was separated from the rest of the temple and the outside world by a huge veil. Only one priest could enter there one time per year, and then only after much prayer and preparation. In Catholicism we carry on this symbolism by veiling our tabernacles and sacred vessels which hold the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

So the veil of a woman speaks of her mystery and intrinsic worth. She is a "garden enclosed" (Song of Solomon 4:12) for within her is the mystery of life. This understanding unfolds a three-fold character common to all women, virgin, bride and mother, whether realized physically or spiritually. The veil of a nun (or the prayer covering worn to Mass) bespeaks this feminine beauty primarily through its spiritual realization. As virgin, she veils herself to indicate that she has kept herself for her Beloved alone. As bride, she is veiled to show her belonging to the Beloved. And as mother, she is veiled to symbolize the protective care she gives to the life within, which is the fruit of the love between her and her Beloved....

(from the "Regina Angelorum" newsletter of the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery)