"The Christianity of history is not Protestantism. If ever there were a safe truth it is this, and Protestantism has ever felt it so; to be deep in history is to cease to be a Protestant." (-John Henry Newman, An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine).

"Where the bishop is, there let the people gather; just as where ever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church". -St. Ignatius of Antioch (ca 110 AD)a martyr later thrown to the lions, wrote to a church in Asia Minor. Antioch was also where the term "Christian" was first used.

“But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15

"This is the sole Church of Christ, which in the Creed we profess to be one, holy, catholic and apostolic." -CCC 811

Friday, July 16, 2010

Veiled Women of Purity and Modesty

Veiling women is not originally "Islamic" so to speak. In fact, according to Wikipedia, this practice pre-dates even the Christian religion. The practice of veiling women in religious sphere comes from the desire of men to keep their women pure, chaste and modest. On the context of Islam, veiling women is already part of their culture both in the religious and social life. It becomes both a symbol of Islamic male dominated culture viewed by some as women oppression. The clash between the Islamic civilization and the secular western civilization hasn’t ended. It’s just the beginning. And the battle fields its democratic rule and tolerance which most western Constitutions are all linked to. [Note: Islamic culture is not compatible with democracy as Shariah is more Theocratic than Democratic.] And since Europe has discarded religion in their day-to-day life Islam will be playing a very significant role of waking up Europe from its slumber and timidity.

Veiling women in Christianity, a true image of purity, modesty and chastity

Though the symbolism of veiling women differs between cultures, the veiling of women in Christianity, particularly in the Catholic Church is a symbol of Purity, Modesty and Holiness rather than women being oppressed.

The Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ is oftenly depicted having a long veil from head down. In her 20th century apparitions, she was seen by visionaries as a woman wearing a veil covering her head down to her hills.
Our Lady of Fatima, Portugal
Our Lady of Lourdes (France) with St. Bernadette Soubirous
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
The Blessed Virgin Mother, infant Jesus and little boy John the Baptist
Patterned to the Blessed Virgin Mother's purity and modesty, Catholic nuns veiled themselves, a symbol of their total dedication of their life, being chaste, virgin, unmarried for "sake of the Kingdom" [Mt. 22:30] (read here)
Mother Angelica founder of EWTN
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta founder of the Missionaries of Charity
A sea of Catholic Nuns
Perpetual Adoration Sister of the Holy Spirit praying before the Blessed Sacrament.  Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (SSpSAP) was founded by St. Arnold Jansen together with the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) and the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit (SSpA).  These pious sisters are called 'Pink Sisters" for wearing a unique habit which is actually pink rose.  They are contemplative sisters similar to monastic life. Thanks to RomanCatholicVocations.
(Please visit Catholic Links for the list of Religious Congregations for Women.)

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