[Desdemona]

Ummmm...just as a matter of history, there was a time when women did sit in the galleries. The REALLY old churches here have HUGE galleries for this purpose, but it was out of practice before my grandmother's time.

And the thing about the hats...I wish we'd go back to it. Talk about a great way to hide a bad hair day.

[k omalley]

"And the thing about the hats...I wish we'd go back to it. Talk about a great way to hide a bad hair day."

There seems to be a "back to hats and veils" mini-revolution going on. A number of Catholic women are starting to cover their heads when they go to Mass. I have started wearing a hat or chapel cap to Mass and a number of the choir ladies have also. I wore my black hat today to sing at a funeral. And it did cover the gray roots I haven't had a chance to touch up...

[livius]

Way back when, women didn't sit with men (unless they were married to or being escorted by them) at secular events either, and generally stayed in a separate gallery. As secular fashions changed, the Church adapted, knowing what was important and what was merely cultural.

I look like Broomhilda in a hat, so I don't miss them. Some people look great, feminine and dignified, but unfortunately, I'm not one of them. And my hair looks so awful when I take off said hat that I want to shave my head and adopt Orthodox Jewish practice.