The Parish Church
of the
Holy Trinity
Amblecote
The stole symbolises the clerical office, immortality, and the Yoke of Christ. This,
matching the liturgical colour, is a long, scarf-like vestment worn over the alb
and under the chasuble. This is presented at Ordination when made a Deacon and worn
diagonally across the body. When ordained Priest, the stole is ceremonially untied
and from then on worn hanging equally down the chest. A Bishop wears the stole in
the same way because he never ceases to be a priest. The origins of the stole are
the towels that slaves wore around their necks. When bending down, or kneeling, they
would use the towel to wipe the feet of guests or their masters. Jesus wore a towel
around his waist and washed the feet of the disciples at the Last Supper. The stole
is seen as a symbol that the cleric is to be a servant (slave) to the people of God.
When
putting on the stole, the cleric kisses the Cross on the stole and prays: Restore
unto me, O Lord, the stole of immortality, which was lost through the guilt of our
first parents: and, although I am unworthy to approach Your sacred Mysteries, nevertheless
grant unto me eternal joy.
The chasuble symbolises charity and the Yoke of Christ. This matches the liturgical
colour and is a long, often ornate, sleeveless poncho-like garment worn by priests
and bishops over the alb and stole during the sacrifice of the Mass.
As he puts on
the chasuble he prays: O Lord, who said: My yoke is easy and my burden light: grant
that I may bear it well and follow after you with thanksgiving. Amen.
The Cope Worn by the Priest or Deacon for non-Eucharistic Liturgy the cope is a
large mantle worn by clerics at some liturgical celebrations, but not at the Mass.
It can be worn, for example, during processions and benedictions of the Blessed Sacrament,
at funerals and at weddings. It matches the colour of the liturgy and is worn in
the same way as the chasuble.
The Cassock The black cassock worn by most Priests in many different situations
is of no special significance other than as a means of identification. Part of its
significance is that it covers up and, to some extent, hides the individualism of
the Priest and proclaims to all that he is a Priest of the Church.
Liturgical Vestments
The robes worn for the Eucharist are an adaptation of the ordinary
clothes worn at the time of the Roman Empire. When those clothes were no longer worn
everyday priests continued to wear them. These clothes tended to be left in Church
and simply put on for services. This happened over time and it is almost by accident
that they have come to be associated with priesthood and the Eucharist.
When vesting
for the liturgy the priest first washes his hands, praying: Give virtue to my hands,
O Lord, that being cleansed from all stain I might serve you with purity of mind
and body.
The alb is the long white, robe-like vestment worn by all clerics at liturgical celebrations
(celebrant, concelebrant, deacon or acolyte). White is the symbol of purity and the
term alb, from the Latin word albe, means white. It can be traced to the Roman alb
worn under a cloak or tunic.
The cleric prays: Purify me, O Lord, and cleanse my
heart, that being made white in the Blood of the Lamb, I may come to eternal joy.
The girdle which is a symbol of chastity, ties the alb at the waist.
The cleric prays:
Gird me, O Lord, with the girdle of purity, and extinguish in me all evil desires,
that the virtue of chastity may abide in me.
