Instruction in women's attire from the early Church

What follows is a selection of quotes from early fathers on veiling and women's attire. I'll let them speak for themselves.

But we admonish you, too, women of the second (degree of) modesty, who have fallen into wedlock, not to outgrow so far the discipline of the veil, not even in a moment of an hour, as, because you cannot refuse it, to take some other means to nullify it, by going neither covered nor bare.
(...) Arabia's heathen females will be your judges, who cover not only the head, but the face also, so entirely, that they are content, with one eye free, to enjoy rather half the light than to prostitute the entire face.
(...)
It is incumbent, then, at all times and in every place, to walk mindful of the law, prepared and equipped in readiness to meet every mention of God; who, if He be in the heart, will be recognised as well in the head of females. To such as read these (exhortations) with good will, to such as prefer Utility to Custom, may peace and grace from our Lord Jesus Christ redound

- Tertullian, "On the Veiling of Virgins." approx 200 AD

"Let the woman observe this, further. Let her be entirely covered, unless she happens to be at home. For that style of dress is grave, and protects from being gazed at. And she will never fall, who puts before her eyes modesty, and her shawl; nor will she invite another to fall into sin by uncovering her face. For this is the wish of the Word, since it is becoming for her to pray veiled." [Clement, The Instructor 3.12]
Clement of Alexandria, Egypt, approx 190 AD

"And let all the women have their heads covered with an opaque cloth, not with a veil of thin linen, for this is not a true covering."
-- Hippolytus (200 AD), Apostolic Tradition

“Woman, because she was created by being drawn from man’s side, is constantly trying to return to him. She desires the original unity of one flesh and one bone. The desire for unity between man and woman is a mirror of the relationship between Christ and the soul. As woman longs for union with man in human relationships, she is also drawn to unity with God. He calls her to become one with Him: to come under His side and become flesh of His flesh and bone of His bone. This occurs during reception of the Eucharist. The covering of the head with a veil symbolizes the reality of woman sheltered in the side of her Source and becoming one with Him. She becomes covered and hidden in her Divine Spouse.”

~ St. John Chrysostom, Father and Doctor of the Church

Headcovering without chapel veils

There have been quite a few emails or comments I've been tagged in lately asking for information about headcovering, especially in snoods.
While I do wear actual snoods from time to time, more often than not I wear regular scarves and tie them in a snood-like fashion.

Like many other things women do, I think this is one of those areas that we can talk about til we are blue in the face, but that ultimately, I never became comfortable with until I just did it, day in and day out.

The majority of the questions lately have been about alternatives to the traditional chapel veil.

Some people don't like chapel veils because they seem too fancy, others don't like them because they seem to hard to use with the baby pulling at them. I love love love chapel veils, but we attend a Maronite parish and sometimes Chapel Veils are a little too Roman Catholic for my mood there.

If you really LIKE Chapel veils, don't be afraid to wear them! Teach those babies not to touch by patiently saying no and not letting them do it.... over and over and over.
And also, please know that I am not beneath wearing a jean skirt and chapel veil. They don't have to be so fussy and fancy and that combo can look really cute when it's done well.

Personally, I alternate all different types of headcoverings depending on  the occasion, but if you're looking for an alternative to the chapel veil,  these are two of my favorite everyday veiling looks.

They are easy to achieve, can be done in a minute or so even if I am getting out of a car and unbuckling kids from car seats at the same time as I'm veiling. My daughters also wear their own headcoverings like this a lot and they love it. You can also dress these up or down depending on the occasion and they use the two most common scarf types so you don't have to go out and buy anything fancy like a brand new snood. ;)

Have fun!

Long rectangular scarf (top) or a Large square scarf  tied in front ( bottom) or in the back (middle).

 

Random Rant: Headcovering 101.

You've seen us sitting in the backs of Catholic Churches, waiting to go to confession, or neatly lined up with twelve children against the hard-backed pew. You've seen us hanging around the Halal meat market in the arab district. Pushing strollers with long-lashed, smiling children. Sitting together sharing a laugh on a bench in the park. Driving by in fancy cars with tinted windows. Waiting in line in airports or movie theaters.


You've openly stared, then avoided our eyes if our paths crossed. You may have smiled. You may have frowned.


No matter who you are, you have an opinion about what we do. No matter who we are, we have a reason for what we do. We are veiled women, and every day there are more of us.


Why do we cover?


We do it for the glory of God. Women have been veiling, mostly for religious and practical reasons, since the beginning of time. Evidence of this can be seen in archeology and historical writings, and there is no use enumerating here the many reasons, styles, and seasons the feminine veil has gone through. Needless to say that when a woman makes the decision to veil, be it during worship, in certain situations, or all the time, she enters a sisterhood of grace which only the veiled can understand.


I have talked before about my personal experiences with veiling, my upbringing, and my personal reasons for veiling. I have also discussed that in my own journey, I have an addiction to the very things which, to other women, are designed as "challenges" or "penances" for salvific purposes. Some people need to pray more. I, on the other hand, need to learn to pray while SERVING more.


Just as I am currently called to detach from my beloved Carmelite order, in order to live Carmelite spirituality all the more, so I am called to somewhat detach from my beloved act of perpetual veiling, in order to live what veiling represents all the more. For me, it is, as they say, a great mystery of life and salvation.

Not that I am saying I am saved by my veil (or lack thereof) but rather that I am in a constant relationship with my veil daily, which purifies my soul as I struggle and obey, struggle and obey. It is a physical

representation of an inner battle, and of an inner truth.


Of the major religious bodies represented on the earth, veiling can certainly be considered "traditional" or at least "cultural" in all of them. Because I am a Catholic, I will deal here with the Catholic concept of headcovering, but will give practical tips for any "style" of headcovering at the end.


The theology of the Veil is based in the foundation of the Church, the source and summit of our lives: the Eucharist. Sacramentally, it represents to us the privilege of a woman's dignity and the sanctity of her vocation.






As I said, the veil is eucharistic in nature. In the beginning, Genesis tells us, woman was created from the side of man. St John Chrysostom (who also advocated against women wearing makeup, for similar reasons, especially at church) compares this creation to the creation of the Church. To paraphrase, he says that as Eve was brought forth from Adam's side, so the Church was brought into being from Christ's pierced side on the cross. Practically, this means that man's vocation is to symbolize Christ and His love for His Church, and woman's vocation is to represent the Church in her love for Christ (see Ephesians 5) It also explains the feminine desire to "return to man's side" and the Church's desire to "return to Christ's side," to be One.






Just as when man and woman are sacramentally married, uniting into one two things which, from the beginning, should have been one, so is the Church united to Christ through the eucharist, which is the consommation of the heavenly marriage. This is what a veiled woman and a veiled man represent, which is why in the presence of the Eucharist, a man's head should be uncovered, and a woman's head should be covered, to symbolize the Church's receptivity and love and submission to Christ, her responsiveness to Christ, her "yes."


It is clear, even for protestant women, although many have invented all sorts of reasons why it is a scripture not to be obeyed, that 1 Corinthians 11 describes the veiling of women.






2 I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you. 3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

7 A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man; 9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man. 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.

13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.


There are many available teachings on this passage throughout the internet, so I will spare you the lesson, and I will focus on just one sentence in this passage: "because of the angels." (v 10)


During the passover, the israelites were instructed to use hyssop to paint a sign with the blood of the lamb over their doorposts, in order to make a 'sign for the angels,' who would be passing through to kill the firstborn children of the egyptians, a sign that God's servants lived inside. To me, the veil is this same sign... a sign of the blood of the lamb, a covering, a representation of the covenant (as a wedding ring symbolizes the covenant between man and woman, the sacramental union of man and wife.) between the Bride and Christ, through which a woman is heard and protected.... a sign "because of the angels." Another reason is that the angels atop the ark of the covenant had their heads covered with their wings. the Glory of the Lord rested atop these angels when He came upon the ark and dwelt with His people.


Because women are called to be "like Mary," the New Ark of the Covenant (who, incidentally is always veiled in her apparitions and in her representations and was throughout her life on earth) we are called to be "Set apart" and holy. In the old testament, the Holy of Holies, in the temple, was veiled, as was Mount Sinai (in clouds) when the Glory of God came upon it. Mary's body was a tabernacle, thus she was veiled in her splendor... as are our tabernacles today (ideally! :P)


In the ark of the covenant, God's glory overshadowed the covered angels as he overshadowed covered Mary to be with His people. Like Mary, a veiled woman becomes hidden, or "covered" in her Spouse.






In Catholic tradition, consecrated women (nuns) veil ALL of the time, because they represent this symbol of the Church at all times in the world. Lay women, however, veil in the presence of the Eucharist (either at home when a priest is bringing them communion or when inside the church building where the Eucharist is present) because it is at this time that they "receive" and "say yes" to their heavenly spouse. Participation in veiling at mass by lay women, then , began to dwindle as Catholic people lost their reverence for the Eucharist, and will rightly rectify the problem of disrespect for the Eucharist we see daily in Catholic churches the world over today. If you are a woman and desire to see more people approach the Eucharist as LORD, I encourage you to veil.


Further, I could probably go on for hours about the sacredness of the female body with regards to it's symbolism in God's economy of salvation. Women are set apart for this reason.... we participate in creation, our bodies nurture and feed new life, and in our bodies miracles are made. God uses female symbolism to increase our understanding of his creation, which is a whole blog by itself. Many, many women veil for modesty... in so far as they "cover" themselves away from prying, human eyes. Have you ever covered your entire body and gone out in public? Even if you do not regularly veil, I challenge you to try it... for you will see the liberty it gives you to rest in God and escape the harsh, polluted world full of sexual depravity and objectification. Who you are becomes much more important than how you look.



A woman's veil is the "sealed garden" of Song 4:12 who produces fruit reserved for God.


"A garden locked is my sister, my bride;" says the Divine Lover, and the beloved responds: "Let my beloved come to his garden, and eat its choicest fruits."


No, it is not a sin not to cover. But when we consider the beauty and richness of symbolism for the Catholic woman, not to veil seems.... a loss.






So how do we begin? For many women, who will veil only in church and during liturgy, it simply means going to any of the numerous sites where Chapel veils are available for purchase and keeping one in your purse for those times when you happen to enter a church where the Eucharist is present. For other women, there will be other situations to veil in, or different styles. Perhaps because their own personal or family culture will be represented in their veiling choices. Here is a guide to the basic styles you might see around that interest you.








THE TRADDIE LOOK






This is the first and foremost look to explore for Catholic women. My favorite place to purchase mantillas and chapel veils is through the Roman Catholic Sacramentals Foundation, but they are available in many other places as well. (Try a google search for "chapel veils" or "mantillas" and always check e-bay for good prices.) Note that modesty is a very important thing for a Catholic woman and thus most traditional Catholic women will probably give you the once over if they see you veiling in church but wearing an immodest outfit. This goes for pretty much ANY veil style you might choose. The general rule is to ask yourself: "What would Mary wear?" We know that Mary has said in her apparition at Fatima that "certain fashions would arise that would offend Our Lord very much."


Thus we avoid such fashions, focusing instead on looking pleasant and sensible and pure. Holy Mother Church has given us a wonderful guideline for such fashions: "A dress cannot be called decent which is cut deeper than two fingers' breadth under the pit of the throat;; which does not cover the arms at least to the elbows; and scarcely reaches a bit beyond the knees. Furthermore, dresses of transparent material are improper." (The Cardinal vicar of Pope Pius XI) It should go without saying, then, not to wear backless or sleeveless dresses, skirts above the knee, etc etc. For more information about modesty, click here.


As for the wearing of a chapel veil or mantilla, it is quite simple: you literally place it on top of your head. It will stay just fine, unless you have small children or live somewhere quite windy, in which case you can purchase a few bobby pins to keep the veil in place. Weave them through the lace (don't worry, it won't wreck it) and into your pulled up hair. If you like this look but don't have the patience for bobby pins or have a very active baby, you can always purchase a lace snood from a specialty jewish shop or from garlands of grace (I LOVE theirs) that has ties on either side for ease of use but is still so pretty and girly. Here I am wearing one at our youngest's baptism and I quite like the look...lacy and pretty but super convenient.






But don't be mistaken, the Chapel Veil, without ties, is super easy to wear, even for little girls. My daughter loves hers:












In fact, it's the single easiest and most fun style to wear with your daughters. And it helps to teach them that something sacred is about to happen.... who would want to miss out on that?

















TZNIUS LOOK:






This is the typical Jewish look with all or most of the hair covered in front and either an open, triangular tie with the ends hanging or a snood style (closed back with the hair enclosed) In the picture I am actually wearing two different scarves, one rectangular one to hold the hair in place and one thin cotton square one on top.


Turban-type looks also fall in this category although I'm not a fan. Observant Jewish women cover their hair at all times (some even at night!) and again, modesty rules apply (minimum of 3/4 length skirts and sleeves and loose around the curves.) This look can be achieved with a long rectangular scarf or with (my preference) a large square scarf which you fold over into a triangle and knot at the back of the head like a big bandana. This look is very easy to wear and will keep your veil secure and your hair out of the way, so I highly recommend it for those of you with active lifestyles and kids. Your neck will show, so if you aren't comfortable with that wear a turtleneck. I purchase scarves for this look from two Jewish suppliers: Tznius.com and ModestWorld.com. I have also used large square hijabs for this look but they are a little bit larger, making it a bigger challenge for the beginning veiler. I also recommend this (or it's smaller twin, the actual bandana) for sports, housework and what not, since it is so easy to keep in place. In my experience keeping your hair in a tight bun and out of the way makes this style easier to keep in place. Be forewarned... this style is "different" out here in the west, so you will get lots of stares, even from Muslimahs in full hijab, LOL. What an adventure! :P For that reason, this is usually my "in the house" look and not so much what I would wear going out.








THE EURO/ RUSSIAN LOOK






This is typically called a "Babushka" and consists of a medium sized colorful scarf (usually cotton, wool , or silk) which is simply knotted around the FRONT of the chin as opposed to behind the head. This look is easier to get away with if your clothes are not as modest as the clothes I described above, since it is very forgiving as far as fashion goes... hello, Audrey Hepburn anyone? A variation of this look is a VERY loosely draped long rectangular scarf that frames the face but still shows the neck and hair, usually knotted or looped and thrown over the shoulder one side. I use this look a LOT (I sometimes do this with a large chapel veil, too.) It's very practical when you have kids and bags and things to tote around, easy on, easy off, and is -almost- so "simple" and basic looking that people don't do a triple take (or open mouthed stare) when they see you with it. I would buy scarves for this look at the Italian Scarf store (or ask anyone's grandma, they usually have a few extras. Also, I buy pashminas for this look. They are awesome because you can wear them as a neck scarf and then just pull them up real quick for prayer, and quite honestly, they are not as noticeable as a covering in our society, especially in the winter! When I wear them like that, it looks something like this:





















EASTERN/ARAB LOOK






This is pretty much the classic hijab look and can be done with a similar colored underscarf or with a different style/pattern underneath to hold the scarf in place. This style requires (yes, requires if you're going to be doing anything other than standing still) pinning in place and is the most "difficult" of the headcovering styles to learn to wear. Or rather, it has the biggest learning curve. Very important to remember if you are going for this look is that if your neck shows, you have missed the mark. I can pretty much guarantee that if you wear your scarf like this nearly everyone will assume you are a muslim, even though many greek and russian orthodox women dress like this daily (my husband prefers me to wear a visible cross on my person when I wear full hijab so that people are aware that I am not a muslim.) I have to say, this is my FAVORITE of all the scarf wearing possibilities, but it is also the least practical and the most challenging. Very simple things become a challenge in full hijab, such as going out to breakfast and realizing that whether you eat bacon with your eggs or not, people are judging you. Here in our conservative military community, Islam is not exactly considered a blessing so people have gotten angry with me, first for being muslim, and then later for representing myself as one when they saw me dressed that way. Again, in our culture, at least, Islam owns this look, so it takes guts and glory to pull it off in most situations if you are NOT muslim, at least it has for me.There are practical solutions for making it easier, like getting really comfortable with the wrap style you are going to use before you ever try to leave the house with it, and exploring things like Al-Amirahs or kuwaiti hijabs which help for beginners. In the church proper, I have never had anyone complain to me about veiling this way, and I find that when I wear this style of veil (which again requires a very modest outfit) I am completely "protected" from creepy looks, gazes, and comments from men AND women. No one bothers me, it's as if I don't exist. Which makes it rather humbling, too. I buy most of my scarves from HijabGirl or from lots of random internet and IRL arab shops. I find it to be beautiful, prayerful, and an incredible visual reminder of WHY we veil... which, once again, is a great lesson for my daughters. (Note, in the picture below, that I have hair showing, which is considered a no-no for muslim women and one good clue that I might not be muslim when I wear it.)


















CLASSIC AMERICAN CHRISTIAN LOOK


The last look is one I rarely, but sometimes, sport and is a bit too "stuffy" and anglo and .... plain american for my olive oil and sunshine drenched taste, LOL. However there are times I think it's quite appropriate, like when a headcovering is too "wierd" for a certain situation, or just at home where you need things to be quick and easy. These are small kerchiefs that tie with a tie under the pony tail or braid and which are often held in place by barrettes on either side. You can purchase them through any number of sweet little handmade web stores by scores of helpmeets and their daughters trying to make a buck, and they usually come in plain white or plain blue. Try googling "plain prayer coverings." or something similar. They are also very easy to make. As far as "traditionally" Christian, these are it (as opposed to the frilly and lacy mantillas and chapel veils of Catholicism, reserved for visits to the Blessed Sacrament in Church) and they make good partners for housework and the nitty gritty of life. Alongside these prayer coverings you will find traditional bonnets and caps. I classify those as "hats" but that's me. Regardless, they are super cute and will make everyone think you are amish or mennonite or a quaker (again with the cultural conundrum! :D) Sunbonnets are another practical option for moms with kids and oh so pretty.






What works for you will basically depend on what you feel called to do and how. Pray on it, try different styles, and see what happens. One day, something will stick, and when it does, you'll never be the same! Let me know if you have any questions or ideas I didn't mention here... Or if you sell your own headcoverings and want to let my readers know.

Taking these things, and hiding them in our hearts.

My husband has been doing a lot of thinking about the Great Schism. (for protestants unfamiliar with the term, it means the Big Moment when the Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church split)
This schism is a deep wound in Christianity, and as such a serious topic, but it seems no one really has the answers. At the end of the day, it is easy to see both sides of the issue and to wonder what to do and how to help. It's easy to understand why my husband laments over it. But I told him today, the only thing I know to say about it is: "Yes, you are right. It's a terrible tragedy. All I know is that 'Mary took all these things and kept them in her heart.'"

As a member of Our Lady's Order of Carmel, I am experiencing firsthand what it is like to be under the protection of her mantle. He is uncovering disturbing effects of moments in Church History that are potentially cataclysmic in their resulting discord. But all I can do is what I am doing... to contemplate the Truth present in the Face of God, and love Him and love my neighbor. To pray.

Meanwhile, my devotion to Fatima has revived in me so many emotions and spiritual "lessons" I've learned over my years as a Christian- even my years as a Mary-loathing protestant.

They seem to circle me as I meditate on the message of Fatima, but among other things, it's as if Our Lady, through Fatima, has set fire to those areas which God has always built that were particular to the ministry He wanted me to delve into... spiritual particularities that no one around me have ever really shared (except, of course, my husband.)

Among other things, she has revived my commitment to spiritual warfare, and through her I have come to understand that Satan's plan is far more simple-- and disturbing-- than we had could have imagined. She has taught me to recognize the Enemy in my physical world. She has taught me to hold fast to the sacraments, to her Son, and in particular to His presence in the Eucharist. She has taught me to love and to trust God. She has reminded me that I have a special calling as a woman, and revived in me my strong desire to pray, to live a hidden life, to sacrifice and to headcover in accordance with scripture and dress modestly, not of this world.
She has reminded me that through that I have a particular ministry to women that are otherwise unreachable by any Christian standard- in particular women who are rooted in the culture of the Land for which Wayne and I yearn: the Holy Land. She has revived in me a love of the mediterranean and middle eastern culture I grew up around and the ability to-- through memories, cooking, language and cultural knowledge-- be able to reach out and connect with women who have absolutely no reason to connect with Christ in me otherwise. She has revived my journalistic intregue with the "heart" of the world-- Jerusalem.

Through Fatima, I have come to appreciate my own call to Carmel, to understand the redemptive power of suffering, to love contemplative prayer, to see why my husband and I share both a zeal for missions, a zeal for a strong, monastic, spiritual family, and a total distaste for "the things of this world." She has helped me to see the glory of our seemingly perpetual poverty and to uncover blessings where I thought curses might have lain. Above all, she has taught me WHY she is referred to as the "Terror of Demons." Through Fatima, she has demonstrated a complete dismantling of each distinct earthly demonic system set up in order to destroy the Church. Each "enemy" is named and we are told how to destroy it-- through penance, suffering, offering, prayer.

Fatima makes me pray more and more, in particular it gives me such a deep understanding of the need for my scapular and my rosary.
And still, I hesitate to write this all because I know that my protestant readers may be scandalized.
My intention is not to scandalize you, dear readers. It is to honor my Mother in Heaven, the blessed virgin who leads me to a deeper, more profound, more intimate relationship with her Son, Jesus Christ. Through Her and with her I contemplate His Glory daily in the Holy Rosary, and because of it my soul sees so much more than it has ever seen before. Fatima is truly the key, but it is only the beginning. Would that the world would understand how little time we have left to worry about Lost, or American Idol, or tax breaks, or Senators, or pedicures, or mortgages, or education. The time we have is so short.

As I, at the leading of my husband, began to cover my head full time again this week, I recognized that it was no accident that at last months' Carmel I had been given the gift of listening to one of Fatima's experts, Fr Andrew Apostoli, discussing at great lengths the very issues which have been totally occupying my prayer these days.... freemasonry, communism, and Islam, and "Heaven's peace plan" through Our Lady, and how devotion to the Eucharist could teach us to participate. This set in motion my great love of Islamic people and my great hatred of the Islamic religion, an irony that- believe me- does not escape me. God gave me plenty of spiritual food to meditate on with regards to my desire to love the Muslim people, to live as they do in total abandonment to God, to leave behind those things of this world which are such devastating products of our western ignorance of the Soul. While Freemasonry and Communism give me the total heeby jeebies and always have, they are not areas in which I "know" much. These are the realms of my husband, who has been both and who, as such would understand the mentality and know how to pray, which walls to break down and which walls to build up in his evangelism. Me? I know Islam. I love everything about muslim culture. And because of that great love I am able to connect in ways that he (my husband) can not.

After a third and final "push" from God to begin to pray for God's peace on the Muslim people (and believe me, here in the south, and in a military town, you need a SERIOUS shove to even TOUCH "the muslim issue" because there is a LOT of anger and distrust from both sides around here) via "coincidental" encounters, I told God, today... Yes, God. I will pray. And I will be open to whatever it is that you want me to do.

The first thing that connected for me was that my husband asked me to dress, essentially, like a muslim: to cover my head and dress TRULY modestly, not wasting time on such vanities as big makeup sessions and hair curling episodes. This totally caught me off guard, but it was something that spoke to my heart. Before I met him, that was something God had already begun in me. This was later confirmed by two "coincidental" encounters with covered muslim women who warmed up to me immediately BECAUSE I was "different."

It occurred to me that unlike Christians (most Christians, anyways) Muslims were willing to be truly distinct from society-- to dress COMPLETELY differently, to stop whatever they were doing and pray regularly, to abstain from "fun" and "harmless" activities the rest of us weren't willing to abstain from all for a false God! Shame on us that we would not do the same for the One True God, for the love of the Holy Trinity!!

The second thing that was impressed upon me was to pull out my Azan Clock and to begin to pray in reparation for the sins committed against Christ's Church by Islam. Muslims pray at virtually identical times during the day as monks and nuns who pray liturgy of the hours, so I felt compelled to, when the muslim "call to prayer" began ringing through my phone, get up and pray, no matter how inconvenient and unpleasant getting up in the night to pray might be. I sometimes do that anyways, so it made sense. No sooner had I decided to do that than I came across this article. I share it with you so that you, like me, might come to see that I am not totally crazy-- but rather that I am, indeed, hearing from God with regards to the choices my family makes. But I also share it because if you are like me, and you care about people, it will make you weep. Just weep!!! God's love for the world-- even those who hate him--- is AMAZING.

I thank God for Our Lady, through whom His grace is distributed so well. I don't know how I ever lived without her!


OUR LADY AND ISLAM: HEAVEN’S PEACE PLAN
Fr Ladis J. Cizik, Blue Army National Executive Director

Islam

Islam is an Arabic word that can be defined as "to make peace." Islam is the religion founded by Mohammed, which considers the Koran as its holy book. In addition, Islam accepts the New Testament of the Christians and the Old Testament of the Jews as Divinely inspired works. Followers of Islam are known as Muslims (also: Moors, Turks, and Moslems) and, just as Jews and Christians, believe in only one God. Yet, over the centuries, Muslims have engaged in tremendous wars with Christians and Jews. It would seem that there is little hope for peace. However, Heaven's Peace Plan, involving Our Lady, is evidenced at Fatima, Portugal as well as other places around the world.

Fatima

The Moors once occupied Portugal. The village of Fatima was given the Islamic name of the well-loved Princess of the nearby Castle of Ourem. She died at an early age after marrying the Count of Ourem and converting to Catholicism. Baptized with the Christian name of Oureana, she was named at birth "Fatima," like many other Moslem girls, in honor of the daughter of Mohammed. Of his daughter, Fatima, the founder of Islam, Mohammed, said: "She has the highest place in heaven after the Virgin Mary."

It is a fact that Moslems from various nations, especially from the Middle East, make so many pilgrimages to Our Lady of Fatima's Shrine in Portugal that Portuguese officials have expressed concern. The combination of an Islamic name and Islamic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is a great attraction to Moslems. God is writing straight with crooked lines, as we will see. Fatima is a part of Heaven's Peace Plan. It is hope for the world.

The Koran

In the Koran, the holy name of the Blessed Virgin Mary is mentioned no less than thirty times. No other woman's name is even mentioned, not even that of Mohammed's daughter, Fatima. Among men, only Abraham, Moses, and Noah are mentioned more times than Our Lady. In the Koran, Our Blessed Mother is described as "Virgin, ever Virgin." The Islamic belief in the virginity of Mary puts to shame the heretical beliefs of those who call themselves Christian, while denying the perpetual virginity of Mary. Make no mistake about it, there is a very special relationship between the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Moslems!

The Holy Land

The Holy Land has been a real battleground between the Islamic peoples and Christianity over the centuries. Evidence of this are the numerous churches and basilicas that have been built by the Church, destroyed by, the Moslems, rebuilt by Catholic Crusaders, leveled again by the followers of Islam, and so on over the course of history. However, there is one remarkable exception: the Basilica of Saint Anne in Jerusalem.

The Crusaders built this church and named it in honor of the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Crypt of St. Anne's Basilica, a statue of the Infant Mary is venerated on what is believed to be the exact spot where Our Lady was born. Their great reverence for Our Lady precluded the Moslems from destroying her birthplace. The foundation for Heaven's Peace Plan at Fatima, Portugal, can be found in the Land of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Spain

As the Moslems swept through Spain in the 8th century, a great religious treasure was buried for safe-keeping in the earth, high in the Estremadura Mountains. It was a much venerated statue of Our Lady holding the Divine Child Jesus that was a gift of Pope Gregory the Great to Bishop Leander of Seville. After the overthrow of Moorish occupation, the image was uncovered in the year 1326, subsequent to a vision of Our Lady to a humble shepherd by the name of Gil. Our Lady's very special statue was enshrined in a nearby Franciscan Monastery next to the "Wolf River."

The Moslems, during their Spanish occupation, had actually named the river. The Islamic term for Wolf River is "Guadalupe" (Guada = River; Lupe = Wolf). Hence, the famous Catholic image in Spain has been known, since the 14th century, by the Islamic name of "Our Lady of Guadalupe."

Mexico

In the fullness of time, we can be sure that Almighty God knew that the Islamic religion would pose a serious threat to Christianity. God also knew that the Spanish missionaries would face grave resistance in the "new world" from the mighty Aztec Indians. The Aztecs worshipped an evil stone "serpent god" that demanded human sacrifice. It was extremely difficult to win souls for Christ from these bloodthirsty savages. However, with God all things are possible. Our Lady appeared to a humble Aztec Indian convert by the name of Juan Diego in 1531. When asked her name by Juan Diego, at the request of the local bishop, Our Lady's response, in the Aztec language, included the words "te coatlaxopeuh" (pronounced: "te quatlasupe") and meant "one who crushes the head of the stone serpent."

To Juan Diego and his fellow Aztecs, this revelation had great meaning, coupled with the miraculous image of Our Lady standing on top of a "crescent," the symbol of this evil serpent god. A tidal wave of conversions to Catholicism ensued. However, Bishop Zumarraga, who was from Spain, made what was no doubt a "heavenly mistake" that one day may lead to the mass conversion of Moslems. To the Bishop's Spanish ears, Our Lady's Aztec name of "Te Quatlasupe" sounded just like the name of the revered Madonna from Spain with the Islamic name, "Guadalupe." Hence, the bishop named the Mexican Madonna "Our Lady of Guadalupe." It is interesting that the "crescent" is also the symbol for Islam and that America's Shrine to Our Lady has an Islamic name.

Battle of Lepanto

On October 7, 1571, a great victory over the mighty Turkish fleet was won by Catholic naval forces primarily from Spain, Venice, and Genoa under the command of Don Juan of Austria. It was the last battle at sea between "oared" ships, which featured the most powerful navy in the world, a Moslem force with between 12,000 to 15,000 Christian slaves as rowers. The patchwork team of Catholic ships was powered by the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Knowing that the Christian forces were at a distinct material disadvantage, the holy pontiff, St. Pope Pius V called for all of Europe to pray the Rosary for victory. We know today that the victory was decisive, prevented the Islamic invasion of Europe, and evidenced the Hand of God working through Our Lady. At the hour of victory, St. Pope Pius V, who was hundreds of miles away at the Vatican, is said to have gotten up from a meeting, went over to a window, and exclaimed with supernatural radiance: "The Christian fleet is victorious!" and shed tears of thanksgiving to God.

What you may not know is that one of three admirals commanding the Catholic forces at Lepanto was Andrea Doria. He carried a small copy of Mexico's Our Lady of Guadalupe into battle. This image is now enshrined in the Church of San Stefano in Aveto, Italy. Not many know that at the Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Spain, one can view a huge warship lantern that was captured from the Moslems in the Battle of Lepanto. In Rome, look up to the ceiling of S. Maria in Aracoeli and behold decorations in gold taken from the Turkish galleys. In the Doges' Palace in Venice, Italy, one can witness a giant Islamic flag that is now a trophy from a vanquished Turkish ship from the Victory. At Saint Mary Major Basilica in Rome, close to the tomb of the great St. Pope Pius V, one was once able to view yet another Islamic flag from the Battle, until 1965, when it was returned to Istanbul in an intended friendly token of concord.

The Rosary

At Lepanto, the Victory over the Moslems was won by the faithful praying the Rosary. Even though they had superior numbers, the Turks really were overmatched. Blessed Padre Pio, the Spiritual Father of the Blue Army, said: "The Rosary is the weapon," and how right he was!

The Battle of Lepanto was at first celebrated liturgically as "Our Lady of Victory." Later, the feast of October 7th was renamed "Our Lady of the Rosary" and extended throughout the Universal Church by Pope Clement XI in 1716 (who canonized Pope Pius V in 1712).

And with that we are back to Fatima, Portugal where Our Lady, when asked her name, said: "I am the Lady of the Rosary." At Fatima, Our Lady taught us to pray the Rosary every day. Heaven presented its peace plan at Fatima and truly gave us hope for the world. Conversions were promised at Fatima: the conversion of sinners; the conversion of Russia; and what also appears to be the conversion of Islam. Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!



Taken from:
Soul Magazine
© 2001 The Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima, U.S.A., Inc.
September - October 2001, page 6

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