Charlene Wittstock, Princess of Monaco*
Looking good in a mantilla.
Third Sunday in a row - the woman in the mantilla.
Recently our parish merged with another parish - and since the 'unification' Mass I've noticed several strangers at Mass. One, an older woman, wears a mantilla, although she stands to greet those around her before Mass begins, applauds on key, and extends her hand for the sign of peace. It's all good though. It doesn't matter - I mean, look how beautiful the princess of Monaco looks in a mantilla - nothing wrong with wearing one if a woman feels so inclined. I'm only mentioning the head covering because Fr. Z just did a post on women and mantillas - again. Lots of mileage on that subject.
I noticed one commenter, obviously interested in starting another thread, mentioned women in pants - like it's a bad thing. This stuff never gets old for some people, does it.
Anyway - Speaking of trousers on women, I came across a really cool Armani ad: stunning model, dressed in one of his suits for women. I like the look. Which is why I scanned and posted the ad for Mass Chat. Something different to discuss at Donutz and coffee for a change.
Here's another thought:
"Feminism can only occur in societies where men allow it." - Author unknown.*Remember the Taki Magazine story claiming the Princess was drugged and forced to marry Prince Albert? Apparently she's still there, married to the wicked Prince - and she loves mantillas.
You talk about not shaking hands, not clapping and basically trying to keep your dignity in a fallen and depraved culture like it's a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteYou're also not very sympathetic to people who may understand culture better than you do.
For example, assuming that people who are concerned about modest clothing and how it expresses sexuality (as people like your grandparents), are obsessed, disoriented or somehow morally tainted, shows a real lack of vision on your part, and a strong Pharisaical streak.
You read alot into that.
DeletePharisaical I am however - I've tried to warn people of that for years - not to listen to me - or in this case read me, I'm filled with dead men's bones.
God reward you.
Anonymous, I really do believe that you have misunderstood what Terry is saying.
ReplyDeleteT ... I like the look of Armani ... in fact the other day I slipped on a new Armani dress and really wanted to take it home ... but I handed it back to the sales woman ... now if I was in my 20ties or 30ties ... and a DINK I would have ... Reminds me of Kathryn Hepburn choice of trousers...
ReplyDeleteyou are invited to follow my blog
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve! You should become a Catholic.
DeleteGod bless you!
Terry
No, I understood him perfectly. Terry routinely disparages those who are Traditionalist and harps on their alleged psychological and spiritual shortcomings frequently.
ReplyDeleteNo I don't.
DeleteI just said - right in this post:
"It doesn't matter - I mean, look how beautiful the princess of Monaco looks in a mantilla - nothing wrong with wearing one if a woman feels so inclined."
I think I am well known for my disagreement with most who read this blog regarding women and pants. I'm somewhat of a "token trad" on here. I have made my point more than once in the past few months. I won't bore anyone with my argument against such a practice. I don't see women wearing pants as sinful that said I also think that it's perhaps imprudent. I'm more concerned about modesty in dress than whether women wear pants or not and I would never point my finger in judgement at those who do. I do however stand firmly with the late, great Cardinal Siri on this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2011/12/05/in-1960-cardinal-siri-urged-women-not-to-wear-trousers-he-may-seem-like-a-blimp-now-but-i-suspect-he-had-a-point/
I'm well acquainted with Cardinal Siri's observations - I'm sure he would say "Toldyaso" as to how the whole feminist thing turned out.
DeleteI wonder what he'd say about the spandex at the Olymoics - for men and women?
Oops! Olympics.
DeletePope Pius XII - July 17, 1954
Delete"0 Christian mothers, if only you knew the future of distress and peril, of shame ill-restrained, that you prepare for your sons and daughters in imprudently accustoming them to live hardly clothed and in making them lose the sense of modesty, you should be ashamed of yourselves and of the harm done the little ones whom heaven entrusted to your care, to be reared in Christian dignity and culture.
Pope Pius XII - August 15, 1954 delegated Cardinal Ciriaci to issue a letter on modesty.
"Everyone knows that during the summer months particularly, things are seen here and there which are certain to prove offensive to anyone who has retained some respect and regard for Christian virtue and human modesty . On the beaches, in country resorts, almost everywhere, on the streets of cities and towns, in private and public places, and, indeed, often in buildings dedicated to God, an unworthy and indecent mode of dress has prevailed. Because of this, the young particularly, whose minds are easily bent towards vice, are exposed to the extreme danger of losing their innocence, which is, by far, the most beautiful adornment of mind and body. Feminine adornment, if it can be called adornment, feminine clothing, 'if that can be called clothing which contains nothing to protect either the body or modesty.' (Seneca) are at times of such a nature that they seem to serve lewdness rather than modesty . What we are discussing here is obviously most serious, since it vitally concerns not only Christian virtue but also the health and vigor of human society . Well did not the ancient poet say of this matter: 'Vice necessarily follows upon public nudity' (Ennius)."
http://www.lffa-ollmpc.com/15quotes.htm
And yet people object when I quote Fr. Hardon, who seemed to quote John of the Cross who supposedly said he believed the majority of the human race would be lost.
DeleteWell, the only quote from Father Hardon (who I admire greatly) that comes to mind is this:
Delete""Only two kinds of people will reach heaven: the very humble and the very chaste. Nobody else, nobody else, nobody else."
Fr. John Hardon, S. J.
My Father Lasance Prayerbook has some good meditations of who will be saved. I'll email it to you for your perusal. I read it quite often.
All due respect to Father Hardon, I should hope that the "kinds of people who will reach heaven" are those who know that they are sinners and trust in the blood of Jesus shed on the cross, for their redemption.
DeleteI DID love the story about the drugged about to be Princess, Terry! LOL. Hysterical. Poor Prince Albert. Rather fragile.
ReplyDeletePS I love nothing better than a finely tailored pant suit. They are VERY hard to find. No one looke better in them than Kate.
Imagine if you can a Pope in the last 40 years telling Christian mothers to be "ashamed of themselves" as Pius XII did? I can't even imagine such a thing.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that wives of lower merchants used to go to the Scala opera house in Milan dressed in pants so they could behave as men and be more free to hiss and heckle the actors?
ReplyDeleteI am always very ladylike in my pant suits ;)
ReplyDeleteTiaras.
ReplyDeleteMy vote is that we should wear tiaras.
Armani: There was a woman at work who had a small wardobe, but it had a black pinstripe Armani suit - jacket, vest, skirt, trousers. She wore it in various combinations, with flat shoes, Italian made. Always classy. Shahla was a superb artist from Iran, and she had perfect European style.
Whenever I hear Armani I think of her.
The Princess of Monaco would look good in anything.
The princess's pre-nup probably requires mantillas at Mass. And a wardrobe committee including some old, former Hollywood wardrobe gal from back when Hollywood dressed its stars supremely classy.
ReplyDeleteSo much about dress. Modesty, certainly, but the squabbles have gotten SO monotonous. Sometimes I think the burka is a REALLY good idea. Imagine if men as well as women wore them here!
ReplyDeleteYes - you say it better than I can. The conversation becomes monotonous.
DeleteOn second thought,maybe it's an age thing...
ReplyDeleteI think "Anonymous" may be new to the traditional Catholic scene(15 years or less). I consider myself very traditional as well, but I've seen it and heard it all by now and as I said...monotonous. Eventually you reach the time when it is best to laugh about it and move on with the business of getting one's spiritual house in order.
Terry is a beautiful example of one doing just that. You should take notes.
Such Southern hospitality! Thanks!
Delete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteI think I told you, Terry, that I started wearing pashminas instead of mantillas last year. I made this decision because "hijabs" are available in more colours than veils are--and because I keep losing the bobby pins I need to keep my mantillas from flying away or slipping down. Well, last week, on a lark, I took out one of my old mantillas and used it instead. My old lady friends could barely express their delight . . . and a man I had never met before followed me out of church to give me Latin Mass information.
A head covering is a head covering is a head covering, but there's just something about the mantilla.
It's a mantilla miracle! It's a sign Enbrethiliel! Your husband wasn't aborted - he's waiting for you at the Latin Mass.
DeleteMy God, I don't read Catholic blogs for months, and then I come over here, and have to read AGAIN this modesty/pants crap drivel. Will these self-righteous prigs ever get a life? You have my sympathies, Terry.
ReplyDeleteI like the Armani tailored style and if you put a mantilla on top of that it would look sharp!
ReplyDelete