Editor’s note: This is the 12th column in a series on the priesthood.
Priests wear vestments for liturgical functions as a sign of their office. Vestments add beauty, elegance, reverence and solemnity to the celebration.
Amice. The amice is the first vestment donned by a priest. It is a square piece of white cloth with two white strings. It is worn over the neck and shoulders and tied in the front. Its function is to cover ordinary clothing and absorb perspiration to safeguard the cleanliness of the other vestments worn over it. Originally it was a hood, and it represents the helmet of salvation (Eph 6:17).
Alb. The word alb is derived from the Latin word albus which means “white.” The alb is a full-length white robe that covers the priest from shoulders to feet. The robe is a reminder of the baptismal garment, and the white color represents holiness and purity. It is worn under the chasuble or may be worn without a chasuble but with a stole for confessions, baptisms, preaching and other liturgical functions. Some are decorated with lace at the ends of the sleeves or along the bottom border.
Cincture. The cincture is a rope chord that is tied around the waist. It serves as a belt over the alb and keeps the stole in place. Usually the cincture is white, the neutral color that corresponds with the alb, but it is common to have cinctures available in all liturgical colors. The cincture conforms to Jesus’ instruction to his apostles to gird their loins (Lk 12:35, 37).
Stole. The stole is the primary symbol of the priesthood, and it signifies the priest’s authority to preside over the sacraments and his desire to take upon himself the yoke of obedient service to Jesus (Mt 11:29, 30). It is a long, narrow strip of high-quality cloth usually made of cotton, wool or silk. It is typically 4.5 inches wide, about 9.5 feet long, and may have a fringe or tassels at the end. It is placed around the back of the neck and hangs down the front of the body in equal lengths on the right and left sides. It is worn over the alb and under the chasuble or cope. Stoles come in each of the liturgical colors, white, green, red, violet and rose, and the color chosen corresponds to the liturgical season, the Mass of the day, or the sacrament being celebrated. Some stoles are plain while others are embroidered with spiritual symbols. Many stoles are designed as a matched set with the chasuble.
Chasuble. The chasuble is the outer vestment worn by a priest at Mass. It is a cloak with arm-length, rounded or curved sleeves. Chasubles come in each of the liturgical colors, and the color chosen corresponds to the liturgical occasion. Some chasubles are plain, but most are decorated with piping, artistic patterns, or distinctive sacred artwork. Another style of chasuble known as the fiddle back emerged during the 16th century. This garment stops at the shoulder and it has no sleeves, so the Eucharist can be seen clearly without interference and adored by the faithful at the time of the elevation.
Cope. The cope is a large cape-like cloak worn over the shoulders that flows from the shoulders down to the feet in the back, is open in the front, and is joined together with two clasps in the front at the top. It is worn for a liturgical celebration that is not a Mass such as a procession, Benediction, the Stations of the Cross, or a prayer service. Like stoles and chasubles, copes are in all liturgical colors. Some are unadorned, while others are richly ornamented.
Humeral veil. The humeral veil is a large cloth about 8 feet long and about 18 inches wide with a small ring and hook that are joined together when it is placed over the cope. It is used to hold the monstrance for Benediction, or the monstrance or ciborium for Eucharistic processions. The humeral veil comes into direct contact with these sacred vessels rather than the hands to give greater veneration to the sacred nature of the Eucharist. Many humeral veils and copes are crafted as a matched pair with the same color and artistic design.
Father Van Sloun is the director of clergy personnel for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
