Jackie

Jackie Kennedy Onassis has arguably done more for the mantilla chapel veil in the latter half of the 20th century than anyone. Ladies in the Romance countries (Italy, France, Portugal, Spain, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican City) wore the mantillas. I have two veils that my mother bought in Rome, one of which she wore at a private Mass with Pope Pius XII. Yes, it's now my treasure!

But I'm told that in the United States, in earlier part of the 20th century, women wore hats and sometimes headscarves to Mass. As a young child do I remember a sea of hats at Mass and I remember being bedazzled with at all the different colors and styles. Hats were seen as classy and elegant head coverings.

Then in the 1960's, pictures of the first lady Jackie wearing mantilla chapel veils to Mass appeared. And that was IT. And that became the latest thing. American ladies began to wear the mantilla. In Catholic schools the little round chapel veils became the standard fair. I just missed the cut off for that, sad to say. By the time I hit grade school, the chapel cap was well on the decline.

So, where are the "Jackie Kennedys" of today? Where are those who inspire other to reverence before the Blessed Sacrament? You are she! It's beautiful ladies like yourself who bring back the reverence through the chapel veil. That's such a sight for sore eyes at Mass. You are the "trend setters."

With Pope Paul VI in Rome.

With Pope St. John XXIII in Rome.

Caroline, Jackie's sister Lee Radziwill, Jackie and John, Jr. at the funeral of Senator Robert F. Kennedy in New York on June 8, 1968.

At Sen. Robert Kennedy’s funeral with her sister Princess Lee Radziwill. 

Making the sign of the cross at funeral.

On her Wedding Day. 

The First Family.

Leaving Mass. I'm noticing she liked to wear her chapel veils "backwards". She how it frames the face? That's a rounded drape effect from a triangular or almond shaped veil. 

Saddest days.

A happier time for Jackie.