At Chrism Mass, Pope reflects on priest's vestments

Catholic World News : At Chrism Mass, Pope reflects on priest's vestments (CWNews.com) - Celebrating the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday with the priests of Rome, Pope Benedict XVI said that priests should prepare themselves thoroughly to celebrate Mass and administer the sacraments, remembering that they act in the person of Christ. In his homily for the Mass-- which he celebrated in St. Peter's basilica, with hundreds of priests joining him to renew their ordination vows-- the Holy Father spoke at length on the liturgical vestments that priests wear. These vestments, he remarked, should remind the priests that are taking on a special role. Using the metaphor that St. Paul invoked, the Pope said that in Baptism the faithful "have clothed yourselves with Christ." At ordination a priest is clothed once again, taking on the person of Christ, so that when he administers the sacraments "he does not speak for himself, but speaks for the Other: for Christ." As he dons the liturgical vestments, the Pope continued, the priest should reflect on his ministry, and seek to purify his own mind and heart. The vestments, he said, should be a reminder of "how much that is unclean remains in our own lives," and a spur to greater identification with Christ. The Holy Father assured priests that if their minds are fixed on Christ as they celebrate Mass, they will perform the liturgical actions properly, and so "draw people into communion with Him." The morning Mass in the Vatican basilica was the first of two major liturgical ceremonies for Pope Benedict on Holy Thursday. In the early evening he was to travel across Rome, to the basilica of St. John Lateran, to preside at the Mass of the Lord's Supper, commemorating the institution of the Eucharist.

Guide to illustration

a. Amice
Formerly worn on the head (symbolizing a helmet protecting against Satan's assaults)
A priest briefly places it on his head, says a prayer and then wears it on his shouldersb.

b. Alb
The alb is white to symbolize the purity in body and soul for which he prays
The priest prays for purity as he puts on the linen, usually laced, garment
The alb is a derivative of the Roman toga

c. Cincture
Symbolizes continence (purity in thoughts and motives)
'Binds' the alb and spiritually the concupiscence of the priest

d. Maniple
From 'manipulum' (something carried, handkerchief, sheaf)
Worn on the left arm, symbolic of good works

e. Biretta
Worn when the priest goes to and from the altar in the Tridentine Rite
Ridges on the top are for convenience in removing it
There is no particular meaning or symbolism, and it is not a formal 'vestment'

f. Papal Tiara
Three crowns symbolizing the Pope as teacher, lawgiver and judge
First crown (9th century): temporal ruler of the Papal States
Second crown: jurisdiction over the Church as a human society
Third crown: supreme authority of the Pope in spiritual matters
Popes since Pope Paul VI have not worn the tiara
The Pope's insignia include the tiara and keys (authority of St. Peter)

g. Mitre
A design of Oriental (Persia/Assyrian) origin; general use @ AD 1100
The two points symbolize the Old and New Testaments of which the bishop is teacher
Worn by the Pope, bishops and cardinals

h. Crosier
From Latin 'crocia' ('crook or bend')
An ornate version of the shepherd's staff from the 5th century

Symbolizes the guiding and restraining authority of the bishop as shepherd of the flock of God

i. Humeral Veil
From Latin 'humerus' or 'shoulder' Worn by the priest when carrying/giving Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
Formerly worn by the priest carrying viaticum and the subdeacon when handling sacred vessels

j. Stole
Originally a small robe, but reduced in size with time
Worn by priests (ends down in front) and deacons (diagonally)
Derived from the court uniform of Roman judges denoting authority
Symbolizes immortality and the yoke of obedience of the ordained

k. Chasuble
From the Latin 'casula' or 'little house'
Symbolizes protection and preservation from evil (spiritual suit of armor)
Matches the proper liturgical color, and often very ornamented with a cross on back

l. Surplice
Originally a white garment worn 'over furs' ('superpellicium') of monks in the Middle Ages
The current shorter style, with lace, is of 17th century origin
Widely used in Mass by everyone from altar boys to priests
Variations: deacons (dalmatic); bishops (rochet); Tridentine subdeacons (tunicle)

m. Cassock
Traditional garment (not vestment) of the priest similar to a Roman tunic
Black symbolizes death: the priest is 'dead to the world' after Holy Orders
The Pope's cassock is white, a bishop's violet and a cardinal's red

n. Cope
Worn by the priest during the Asperges in the Tridentine Rite
Its original use was an outer garment for processions (a 'raincoat')