| Traditional Roman Catholicism |
The History and Symbolical meaning of the Priest's Vestments
Taken from Father Stedman's " My Sunday Missal"
These Mass Vestments are the garments of Sacrifice. The priest is reminded that each vestment has a relation to Christ, awaiting His
Sacrifice on the Cross. You see the priest clothed from head to foot with garments symbolical of Christ's Sacred Passion , bearing a
message for you, too, how you must vest your spiritual self, by " Putting on Christ"; divest your entire self of anti-Christ! Life has many
departments, physical, marital, spiritual, mental, social, commercial. But only one principle, that you must be clothed with Christ. Sacrifice
everything for that!
The Amice
Make-up and Present use.
A piece of cloth linen about the size of a small shawl. Priest touches it to his head, drops it over shoulders, tucks it around neck, ties it
around waist.
History of former use.
A covering or hood for head out-of-doors. Indoors it was lowered over shoulders.
Relation to Christ.
Recalls cloth when He was blindfolded, mocked and asked who struck Him.
Meaning for use.
A symbol of our " Helmet of Salvation" ( Eph. 6-17) ; touched to the head to protect us against idle or evil thoughts at Mass; tucked around
our neck to restrain use of tongue before and after Mass.
Prayer while vesting.
" Place, O Lord, the helmet of salvation on my head to resist the attacks of the devil."
The Alb
Make up and present use.
A full flowing robe of white linen reaching to the feet, covering entire body and worn over the Amice.
History of former use.
Alb is the Latin word for "white". An ordinary outer garment worn in warm climates, even today in the near East. A full sleeved white tunic
worn by those having and dignity or authority in Ancient Rome.
Relation to Christ.
Herod placed the garment of a fool around Jesus , making Him the sport of his indecent court.
Meaning for us.
Purity of body and soul required of God's priest and of those worthily assisting at Mass. Symbolizes our darkness being changed into light
of Jesus.
Prayer While Vesting.
" Make me white, O Lord, and purify my heart, so that being made white in the Blood of the Lamb, I may deserve eternity."
The Cincture
Make up and present use.
A thick cord of silk, linen or cotton with tassel ends. Secures Alb around the waist.
History of former use.
Used to gird up the long, loose flowing Alb, so as not to interfere with walking or working.
Relation to Christ.
At Last Supper, Jesus washed feet of disciples, then dried them, using the towel girded around His waist. Also symbolizes cord that bound
Jesus to pillar when being scourged.
Meaning for us.
A symbol of girding ourselves for hard service, keeping the passions in check; to be pure and strong spiritually so as to fight evil and do
good.
Prayer While Vesting.
" Gird me, O Lord, with the cincture of purity and extinguish in my heart the fire of concupiscence so that, the virtue of continence and
chastity always abiding in my heart, I may the better serve Thee."
The Maniple
Make up and present use
A band of cloth, of same material and color as Stole and Chasuble, worn on left arm, about 4 inches wide by 30 inches long.
History of former use.
Customary in hot climates to wear such a cloth on the arm to wipe away both dust and perspiration; also it folds were used as a purse.
Relation to Christ.
Recalls the manacles with which the Hands of Jesus were bound; also the rope by which He was lead to death.
Meaning for us.
Maniple comes from two Latin words "manus plena," meaning " the hand is full" Hence symbolizes hand full of patient work and service,
which are precious things to earn the reward of salvation. Suggests wiping off the mind and heart, of all sloth or fear of labor.
Prayer While Vesting.
" May I deserve, O Lord, to carry this maniple of sorrow and penance so that I may one day enjoy the reward of all my labors."
The Stole
Make up and present use.
A long strip of cloth about 3 or 4 inches wide and from 7 to 8 feet long; of same material and color as the Chasuble; worn around neck,
across shoulders, crossed over the breast, and fastened in place with the ends of the cincture.
History of former use.
A scarf or neck-peice; later a badge of honor for those enjoying and dignity; or a distinctive mark of duty for those exercising any authority.
Relation to Christ.
It reminds us of the cross of Christ resting and carried on His shoulders.
Meaning for us.
Covering the neck, shoulders and breast, naturally it reminds us of the daily dignity and duty of working joyously, zealously for the cause of
Christ while keeping in mind the eternal state of immortality.
Prayer While Vesting.
" Restore unto me, O Lord, the stole of immortality which I lost through the sin of my first parents and, although unworthy to approach Thy
Sacred Mystery, may I nevertheless attain to joy eternal."
The Chasuble
Make up and present use.
The outer vestment, covering nearly all the other vestments from the priest's shoulders to his knees, back and front; hence, with large cross
on its back, it becomes the most familiar of all vestments.
History of former use.
Used as a circular cape, without sleeves; with a hole in the middle for the head to pass through; this garment completely enveloped the
body; a practical outdoor garment of protection against the weather. Called " chasuble" from Latin word "casula" meaning a little house.
Relation to Christ.
Recalls the seamless garment of Christ, traditionally believed to have been woven by Mary. On Calvary, the soldiers, not wishing to divide
it into parts, cast dice for it.
Meaning for us.
Symbolizes the all-enveloping yoke of Christ's service made sweet by His all-embracing love; and of His commandments made it possible
by the same ever-present love.
Prayer While Vesting.
" O Lord, Who hast said, My yoke is sweet and My Burden light; grant that I may so carry it as to merit Thy grace."
So we see that all the vestment have a relation to our Savior. A strong historical testimony to the unchanging character of the sameness of
Calvary with the Mass in your own parish!
These Mass Vestments are the garments of Sacrifice. The priest is reminded that each vestment has a relation to Christ, awaiting His
Sacrifice on the Cross. You see the priest clothed from head to foot with garments symbolical of Christ's Sacred Passion , bearing a
message for you, too, how you must vest your spiritual self, by " Putting on Christ"; divest your entire self of anti-Christ! Life has many
departments, physical, marital, spiritual, mental, social, commercial. But only one principle, that you must be clothed with Christ. Sacrifice
everything for that!
The Amice
Make-up and Present use.
A piece of cloth linen about the size of a small shawl. Priest touches it to his head, drops it over shoulders, tucks it around neck, ties it
around waist.
History of former use.
A covering or hood for head out-of-doors. Indoors it was lowered over shoulders.
Relation to Christ.
Recalls cloth when He was blindfolded, mocked and asked who struck Him.
Meaning for use.
A symbol of our " Helmet of Salvation" ( Eph. 6-17) ; touched to the head to protect us against idle or evil thoughts at Mass; tucked around
our neck to restrain use of tongue before and after Mass.
Prayer while vesting.
" Place, O Lord, the helmet of salvation on my head to resist the attacks of the devil."
The Alb
Make up and present use.
A full flowing robe of white linen reaching to the feet, covering entire body and worn over the Amice.
History of former use.
Alb is the Latin word for "white". An ordinary outer garment worn in warm climates, even today in the near East. A full sleeved white tunic
worn by those having and dignity or authority in Ancient Rome.
Relation to Christ.
Herod placed the garment of a fool around Jesus , making Him the sport of his indecent court.
Meaning for us.
Purity of body and soul required of God's priest and of those worthily assisting at Mass. Symbolizes our darkness being changed into light
of Jesus.
Prayer While Vesting.
" Make me white, O Lord, and purify my heart, so that being made white in the Blood of the Lamb, I may deserve eternity."
The Cincture
Make up and present use.
A thick cord of silk, linen or cotton with tassel ends. Secures Alb around the waist.
History of former use.
Used to gird up the long, loose flowing Alb, so as not to interfere with walking or working.
Relation to Christ.
At Last Supper, Jesus washed feet of disciples, then dried them, using the towel girded around His waist. Also symbolizes cord that bound
Jesus to pillar when being scourged.
Meaning for us.
A symbol of girding ourselves for hard service, keeping the passions in check; to be pure and strong spiritually so as to fight evil and do
good.
Prayer While Vesting.
" Gird me, O Lord, with the cincture of purity and extinguish in my heart the fire of concupiscence so that, the virtue of continence and
chastity always abiding in my heart, I may the better serve Thee."
The Maniple
Make up and present use
A band of cloth, of same material and color as Stole and Chasuble, worn on left arm, about 4 inches wide by 30 inches long.
History of former use.
Customary in hot climates to wear such a cloth on the arm to wipe away both dust and perspiration; also it folds were used as a purse.
Relation to Christ.
Recalls the manacles with which the Hands of Jesus were bound; also the rope by which He was lead to death.
Meaning for us.
Maniple comes from two Latin words "manus plena," meaning " the hand is full" Hence symbolizes hand full of patient work and service,
which are precious things to earn the reward of salvation. Suggests wiping off the mind and heart, of all sloth or fear of labor.
Prayer While Vesting.
" May I deserve, O Lord, to carry this maniple of sorrow and penance so that I may one day enjoy the reward of all my labors."
The Stole
Make up and present use.
A long strip of cloth about 3 or 4 inches wide and from 7 to 8 feet long; of same material and color as the Chasuble; worn around neck,
across shoulders, crossed over the breast, and fastened in place with the ends of the cincture.
History of former use.
A scarf or neck-peice; later a badge of honor for those enjoying and dignity; or a distinctive mark of duty for those exercising any authority.
Relation to Christ.
It reminds us of the cross of Christ resting and carried on His shoulders.
Meaning for us.
Covering the neck, shoulders and breast, naturally it reminds us of the daily dignity and duty of working joyously, zealously for the cause of
Christ while keeping in mind the eternal state of immortality.
Prayer While Vesting.
" Restore unto me, O Lord, the stole of immortality which I lost through the sin of my first parents and, although unworthy to approach Thy
Sacred Mystery, may I nevertheless attain to joy eternal."
The Chasuble
Make up and present use.
The outer vestment, covering nearly all the other vestments from the priest's shoulders to his knees, back and front; hence, with large cross
on its back, it becomes the most familiar of all vestments.
History of former use.
Used as a circular cape, without sleeves; with a hole in the middle for the head to pass through; this garment completely enveloped the
body; a practical outdoor garment of protection against the weather. Called " chasuble" from Latin word "casula" meaning a little house.
Relation to Christ.
Recalls the seamless garment of Christ, traditionally believed to have been woven by Mary. On Calvary, the soldiers, not wishing to divide
it into parts, cast dice for it.
Meaning for us.
Symbolizes the all-enveloping yoke of Christ's service made sweet by His all-embracing love; and of His commandments made it possible
by the same ever-present love.
Prayer While Vesting.
" O Lord, Who hast said, My yoke is sweet and My Burden light; grant that I may so carry it as to merit Thy grace."
So we see that all the vestment have a relation to our Savior. A strong historical testimony to the unchanging character of the sameness of
Calvary with the Mass in your own parish!
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