Holy Orders

Holy Orders is one of the seven sacraments, and it has three grades or degrees: episcopacy, priesthood, and diaconate.

When we use the word episcopacy we are referring to the order of bishop, which is the highest level of the sacrament, sometimes referred to as the fullness of the priesthood. Bishops ordain priests, deacons, and other bishops; that is, they administer the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

The Apostles were the first bishops, and received their authority directly from Christ.

The next level of Holy Orders is that of priest. A priest is an ordained man who, in addition to the office of ministry and preaching, acts in the Person of Christ at the Eucharistic Sacrifice, and offers it to God in the name of all the people. A priest can administer six of the seven sacraments:: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Sacrament of the Sick, and Matrimony.

Finally, the word diaconate refers to the order of deacon. There are two kinds of deacons. A permanent deacon is a man who is ordained to serve in the Church. He is not a priest, nor is he preparing for the priesthood. Deacons who are not referred to as permanent, are those men who become deacons while advancing to the priesthood. A deacon assists the priest and people in many ways, including preaching and administering the Sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony.

Clerical Dress

Normally we use the terms clerical dress or civil clothing to describe what clergy wear when they are out in public, or use the term non-liturgical dress to describe what they wear when not participating in a liturgy. In public, most clergy wear a black suit, or at least black pants, with a black shirt and a stiff collar known as a Roman collar, which is usually made of white plastic. Black is used to symbolize poverty and humility. Sometimes in hot climates permission is given for clergy to wear white clothing. The Roman collar developed over the centuries from a variety of other collars which clergy used to distinguish themselves from lay people. Rome eventually settled on a very plain collar, probably again to emphasize simplicity and poverty.

Years ago many priests wore a biretta, a square hat from which rise three or four flat ridges or projections. Like the Roman collar, the biretta was developed from various hats worn by clergy hundreds of years ago. The biretta for the priest is black, although now very few priests in North America ever wear one. Generally the biretta is not included as part of the sacred vestments, except in the case of the scarlet biretta worn by a cardinal. Bishops use purple birettas, while monsignors use a black biretta with red or purple trim.

Another example of non-liturgical dress is the cassock. This is sometimes known by its French name, soutane. It is one of the oldest of the Church vestments, and is usually black, with long sleeves and black buttons, and is ankle length. Sometimes the buttons and trim are different for certain members of the hierarchy. Cardinals, for example, have buttons, trim and an inside hem of scarlet. The cassock developed from a garment worn by most people in the fifth century. The style was retained by the clergy in later years because it was warm and suitable for wear in the churches, which at that time were unheated, even in winter. The Pope never wears a cassock, but instead wears a white simar , which is in some ways similar to a cassock, but includes an elbow-length shoulder cape.

Many religious orders of priests, nuns, and brothers wear what is known as a habit. These vary a great deal in appearance from one order to another. An order of nuns here in our diocese, the Daughters of St. Mary of Leuca, wear a white, ankle length robe, a blue sash, and a black veil. The habit is intended as a visible sign to the world of the person's vocation, a testimony to the vows the person made at his or her ordination or profession.

We use the term sacred vestments or liturgical dress to describe what clergy wear during the Mass and other liturgies. Many of the items worn during the liturgy once had a practical use. For example, the small skullcap, the zucchetto (see below), was once used to cover the bare patch, or tonsure , which a priest or monk used to have shaved on the crown of his head centuries ago. Now the skullcap is used mainly as a way of identifying clergy and distinguishing the various ranks within the Church. Below is a description of some other items of liturgical dress:

Alb: The alb is the long white vestment worn by all the clerics who are on the altar. It is often worn over the cassock, though many priests wear it without the cassock. It is the same for all ranks of the clergy. The alb developed from the alba , which ancient Romans wore under their cloak or tunic. In the Church the white alb is used to symbolize the purity to which the cleric must aspire. As he dons the alb, the priest says: " Purify me, O Lord, and make me clean of heart, that washed in the blood of the Lamb, I may possess eternal joy."

Chasuble: The chasuble is the outer vestment worn by a priest or bishop. It is in a form similar to a poncho, and is sleeveless and usually ornate. The chasuble developed from the cloak (the casula ) worn by workers at the time of the Roman Empire. In the third century it was worn by all Christians, but gradually became reserved for the clergy. Today, the colour of the chasuble--there is a choice of about five-- is determined by the Church season. The priest or bishop will wear a green chasuble, for instance, during Ordinary time. Green is symbolic of hope, fidelity, and everlasting life. A red chasuble is used on Pentecost to symbolize the Holy Spirit, and so on. A deacon wears a garment similar to a chasuble, known as a dalmatic . It is open on each side and has wide sleeves, and will be the same colour as the chasuble worn by the priest or bishop during the liturgy.

Cope: This is a long ornamented cape worn over the alb, the cassock or the surplice.Originally worn in outdoor processions to protect the priest from the elements, it eventually came to be reserved for liturgies outside the Mass, such as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Mitre: The mitre is a tall, pointed, folded cap used mainly by bishops, including the Pope, at liturgical functions. It is thought to have been derived from the cap used by athletes in ancient Greece. By the 11th century, the Church was using it as a mark of distinction for bishops. The mitre remains today a symbol of rank within the Church.

Stole: The stole was originally worn as a scarf, for warmth, and later came to be awarded as a public honour to Roman citizens. By the 8th century it was used widely in the Church. Today it is associated with the scarf (or towel) used by Jesus to wash the feet of the apostles, and as such is a symbol of service. A priest wears the stole over the back of his neck, from where it falls in equal parallel lengths down his front. A deacon wears his stole diagonally across his body from his left shoulder to his right hip.

Surplice: This is a loose, flowing, white vestment of varying lengths--usually knee or calf length--sometimes used instead of an alb, and of similar origin. It is sometimes worn over a cassock by, for example, the Master of Ceremonies during a liturgy. (The Master of Ceremonies is the person appointed to direct events, usually during a liturgy involving a large number of clergy of different ranks.)

Zucchetto: A small skullcap usually worn by bishops. The Holy Father wears a white silk zucchetto, the cardinals use scarlet, and all other bishops wear purple. A monsignor may wear a black zucchetto with purple piping. Priests may use the black zucchetto, but today this is rarely seen.