LITURGICAL VESTMENTS

SIGNIFICANCE and SYMBOLISM of LITURGICAL VESTMENTS “In the Church, which is the Body of Christ, not all members have the same function. This diversity of offices is shown outwardly in the Celebration of the Eucharist by the diversity of sacred vestments, which must therefore be a sign of the function proper to each minister. Moreover, these same sacred vestments should also contribute to the decoration of the sacred action itself. The vestments worn by priests and deacons, as well as the attire worn by lay ministers, are blessed before being put into liturgical use according to the rite described in the Roman Ritual. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 335.

FORM of SACRED VESTMENTS “As regards the form of sacred vestments, Conferences of Bishops may determine and propose the Apostolic See adaptations that correspond to the needs and the usages of the individual regions.” The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 342

GUIDELINES in MAKING SACRED VESTMENTS “For making sacred vestments, in addition to traditional materials, natural fabrics proper to each region may be used, as also artificial fabrics that are in keeping with the dignity of the sacred action and the sacred person. The Conference of Bishops will be the judge of this matter.” The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 343.

GUIDELINES in MAKING SACRED VESTMENTS “It is fitting that the beauty and nobility of each vestment not be sought in an abundance of overlaid ornamentation, but rather in the material used and in the design. Ornamentation on vestments should, moreover, consists of figures, that is, of images or symbols, that denote sacred use, avoiding anything unbecoming to this.” The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 344.

Why do liturgical vestments comes in various colors? “The purpose of variety of color of the sacred vestments is to give effective expression even outwardly to the specific character of the mysteries of faith being celebrated and to a sense of Christian life’s passage through the course of the liturgical year. On the other hand, the variety of offices in the celebration of the Eucharist is shown outwardly by the diversity of sacred vestments. In fact, these sacred vestments should also contribute to the beauty of the sacred action itself.” Redemptionis Sacramentum, 121.

WHEN to USE the VARIOUS COLOR of VESTMENTS? COLOR WHITE- is used in the Offices and Masses during Easter Time and Christmas Time; and furthermore on celebrations of the Lord other than his Passion, celebrations of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of the Holy Angels, and of Saints who were not Martyrs; on the Solemnities of All Saints and of the nativity of ST. John the Baptist (June 24); and on the Feats of St. John the Evangelist (December 27), if the Chair of St. Peter (February 22), and of the Co nversion of Saint Paul (January 25).

WHEN to USE the VARIOUS COLOR of VESTMENTS? COLOR RED- is used on Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion and on Friday of Holy Week, on Pentecost Sunday, on celebrations of the Lord’s passion, on the birthday feastdays of Apostles and Evangelist, and on celebrations of Martyr Saints. COLOR GREEN- is used in the Offices and Masses of Ordinary Time.

WHEN to USE the VARIOUS COLOR of VESTMENTS? COLOR VIOLET or PURPLE- is used in Advent and Lent. It may also be worn in Offices and Masse for the Dead. COLOR BLACK- may be used, where it is the practice, in Masses for the Dead. COLOR ROSE- may be used, where it is the practice, on Gaudete Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent) and on Laetere Sunday (Fourth Sunady of Lent).

WHEN to USE the VARIOUS COLOR of VESTMENTS? Note: On more solemn days, festive, that is, more precious, sacred vestment may be used even if not the color of the day. Moreover, Conferences of Bishops may determine and propose to the Apostolic See adaptations regarding liturgical colors that correspond to the needs and culture of peoples. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 346.

COMMON VESTMENT of ALL ORDAINED and INSTITUTED MINISTERS “The sacred garment common to ordained and instituted ministers of any rank is the alb, to be tied at the waist with a cincture unless it is made so as to fit even without such. Before the alb is put on, should this is not completely cover the ordinary clothing at the neck, an amice should be used. The alb may not be exchanged for a surplice, not even over a cassock, on occasions when a chasuble or dalmatic is to be worn or when, according to the norms, only a stole is worn without a chasuble or dalmatic. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 336.

What is the proper vestment to the Priest celebrant at Mass? “The vestment proper to the Priest celebrant at Mass, and in other sacred actions directly connected with Mass unless otherwise indicated, is the chasuble, worn over the alb and stole. Likewise, the Priest, in putting on the chasuble according to the rubrics, is not to omit the stole. All Ordinaries [Bishops] should be vigilant in order that all usage to the contrary be entertained.” Redemptionis Sacramentum, 123.

What is the proper vestment to the Priests concelebrants at Mass? “A faculty is given in the Roman Missal for the Priest concelebrants at Mass other than the principal celebrant [who should always put on a chasuble of the prescribed color], for a just reason such as large number of concelebrants or lack of vestments, to omit the chasuble, using the stole over the alb. Where a need of this kind can be foreseen, however, provision should be made for it insofar as possible. Out of necessity the concelebrants other than the principal celebrant may even put on white chasubles. For the rest, the norms of the liturgical books are to be observed.” Redemptionis Sacramentum, 124.

STOLE The long scarf placed about the neck of the priest, which symbolizes priestly service and immortality of the soul.

STOLE

ALB The long, white linen garment reaching to the feet, which symbolizes the innocence and purity that should adorn the soul of the priest who ascends the altar

ALB

CASSOCK The close-fitting ankle-length worn by the clergy and by laymen during liturgical services

CASSOCK

COTTA The waist-length surplice placed above the cassock by the clergy and by laymen during liturgical services

COTTA

CHASUBLE The outer priestly vestment, which symbolizes the virtue of charity and the yoke of unselfish service for the Lord.

CHASUBLE

COPE The vestment worn around the shoulders and over the hands by a priest holding the monstrance.

COPE

What is the proper vestment of a Deacon? ‘The vestment proper to the deacon is the dalmatic, worn over the alb and stole; however, the dalmatic be omitted out of necessity or on account of a lesser degree of solemnity. “The proper vestment of the Deacon is the dalmatic, to be worn over an alb and stole. In order that the beautiful tradition of the Church may be preserved, it is praiseworthy to refrain from exercising the option of omitting the dalmatic.” Redemptionis Sacramentum, 125. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 338.

DEACON’S STOLE The diagonal stole used by the deacon.

DEACON’S STOLE

DALMATIC The sleeved tunic worn in place of the chasuble by the deacon.

DALMATIC

What is the remedy in order to arrest the use of unprescribed liturgical vestments? “The abuse is reprobated whereby the sacred ministers celebrate Holy Mass or other rites without sacred vestments or with only a stole over the monastic cowl or the common habit of religious or ordinary clothes, contrary to the prescriptions of the liturgical books, even when there is only one minister participating. In order that such abuses be corrected as quickly as possible, Ordinaries should take care that in all churches and oratories subject to their jurisdiction there is present an adequate supply of liturgical vestments made in accordance with the norms.” Redemptionis Sacramentum, 126.