Binibini ng belo: The beauty of the veil

By tradition, many women are accustomed to wear veils when going to church. The veil, belo, or some call it mantilla, has been prevalent throughout centuries and its use is one reverential act towards the Lord.

Veils signify a woman’s modesty and simplicity towards Christ. The act of veiling is that of veiling a woman’s beauty, a sign of purity and humility, same as what we see in a wedding. The bride is veiled until she is wed with her groom to maintain that she is in the profession of dedication towards her companion. The groom raises the veil to seal their bond and have their accord be made before God.

The veil reflects the holiness of the veiled. In the church, the tabernacle often is veiled in what is seen as a ‘curtain’; unconsecrated hosts are also covered with a cloth or put in a covered ciborium to protect it from any unwanted debris until they are brought to the altar. The same with the monstrance where a priest uses the humeral veil to hold where the body of Christ is adored. Those things are all holy and are rightfully needed to be protected, the same with the beauty and purity of a woman. Veiling reminds us that a woman protects not only herself but her duty of being a life-bearer and therefore she presents herself to be humble under the mantle of God.

It is a reminder in the practice of our faith for us to do things that reflect our virtues in the simplest of ways. Let what we wear and how we accessorize be a manifestation of our faith. May it be humble before God and be it for his honor and glory. (Francis Rey A. Panerio)