Vestments

Liturgical vestments  are worn by the clergy in performing the ceremonies of the Church, above all at the celebration of the Mass, then in the administration of the sacraments, at blessings, the solemn recitation of the canonical hours, public services of prayer, processions, etc.
 

When vesting for Mass 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".

Alb: 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.

"Purify me, O Lord, and cleanse my heart,
that being made white in the Blood of the Lamb, I may come to eternal joy." 

Girdle: The girdle which is a symbol of chastity, ties the alb at the waist.

"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".

Stole: 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 to the Diaconite and worn diagonally across the body. When ordained Priest, the stole is ceremonially untied and from then on worn hanging equally down the chest.

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".

Chasuble: 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.

"O Lord, who said: My yolk is easy and my burden light:
grant that I may bear it well and follow after you with thanksgiving. Amen".

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. 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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