Tuesday 25 October 2011

Vestments a new priest needs for the Ordinary Form, part I

I am often asked what a newly-ordained priest needs in the way of vestments, so I am putting together a series of recommendations, based on my years of experience and observation.

Ideally, of course, a young priest for the needs of the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite would own a set of vestments in the Liturgical colours of white, green, red and violet.  Of these, red is used least throughout the Liturgical year, so that the priority list of needs could become:

White vestments: chasuble, stole, chalice veil

Violet vestments: chasuble, stole, chalice veil

Green vestments: chasuble, stole, chalice veil.

Every priest ought to have available for his use a set of the above three colours.

Some additional points. 

For the various rituals of the Roman Rite, a priest ought to have available a cope in white and a cope in violet.

If it can be afforded, a priest should have two sets in different shades of the colours, white, violet and green.  A congregation often appreciates seeing some variety in the vestments that are used.  Remember, it is the congregation which is looking at the vestments during Mass, not the priest wearing them.