Why black vestments

In the Western world, everybody wears black to a funeral … except the priest, and he often wears white! Black does not signify despair, not at all. Rather, black is the symbol of mourning, of loss, of death — but this mourning will be turned to joy, the loss is great gain, and death is birth unto true life. The color black is in no way contrary to Christian hope. Black as a liturgical color. It is worth noting that — although, in the early days of the Church, white seems to have been the color of vestments on every day of the year — black was almost certainly introduced into the liturgy before violet purple.

In fact, it seems that black came to be used as one of the originally four principal colors of the Mass: White, green, red, and black. Considering the antiquity of the color, it is somewhat surprising that black is used far less often today than is violet — while many Catholics have seen violet used in Advent and Lent , nearly an whole generation has never seen a black vestment at least in the USA. In the Novus Ordo , black is not to be used on Good Friday, but may still be used at the other Masses though violet and even white are also permitted, and in practice preferred.

The theology of a Requiem Mass for the dead. Black signifies mourning, but not simply mourning in general. Rather, black directs us in a particular way to mourn and pray for the dead. While white is a color of festivity and rejoicing, violet is the color which signifies penance and sorrow for sin.

However, violet directs us more to mourning for our own sins, and to performing penance for our own wretchedness. Black, on the other hand, helps to direct us to mourn not for ourselves but for the deceased.

The funeral Mass is not really about the family — though there are certainly many prayers for the consolation of those who mourn. Rather, the funeral Mass is primarily for him who has died: Nearly every prayer is for the forgiveness of his sin i. Funerals are not primarily for the living, they are for the dead — whatever anyone even if he be a priest may tell you! This is why it makes no sense — theologically — to wear either white or even purple for a funeral Mass or Requiem.

What sort of theology does this communicate to the people? They are perfectly happy and have no need of our prayers. If the priest wears the color of festivity, rather than the color of prayerful mourning, who will ever believe that there are any souls who suffer purgation after death? However, sadly, the use of white is by no means a liturgical or rubrical violation. The weekly use of black vestments in the Novus Ordo. Even in the typical parish of the USA, there is ample opportunity to re-introduce black into the liturgy.

Further, it would be very good to use black also for all funeral Masses. Additionally, it would be worthwhile for the parish priest to begin to offer Requiem Masses more often. The Novus Ordo has relatively few memorials and saint days compared to the Extraordinary Form , thus there are many more opportunities to offer the votive Mass of the dead throughout the week.

This is why it makes no sense — theologically — to wear either white or even purple for a funeral Mass or Requiem. The feast of All Souls affords us the opportunity to contemplate our own mortality as we on earth pray for the Church Suffering. Black vestments remind the faithful that we must pray for the deceased. This spiritual work of mercy is not optional. Father Erlenbush addresses the confusion that can result from the use of white vestments for All Souls:.

They are perfectly happy and have no need of our prayers. If the priest wears the color of festivity, rather than the color of prayerful mourning, who will ever believe that there are any souls who suffer purgation after death?

As the Traditional Latin Mass requires black vestments for All Souls Day, as well as funeral masses and Requiems, the reemergence of this liturgical color should only increase in the coming years. With many younger priests learning both forms of the Roman Rite, we will slowly begin to see white vestments give way to the traditional black in more and more parishes on All Souls.

May this liturgical recovery assist in a greater understanding of Purgatory, and of our need to pray for the souls of the faithful departed. Posted on November 1, , in liturgy and tagged All Souls day , black vestments , Fr. Ryan Erlenbush , latin mass , Requiem masses. Bookmark the permalink.

I completely agree on what the loss of the black does to our beliefs. If the priest dresses the same for All Saints Day and All Souls Day, and preaches definitively at funerals how our loved one is in a better place now Really?

How are you so sure? I think I would feel scandalized. According to St. At the front during WW1, Fr. Smith reads about two-sided vestments for war use, black on one side for funeral Masses and gold on the other for everything else and rather expensive but very practical…. I remember Requiem masses celebrated in black vestments and with the catafalque present almost every morning when I was in choir during grade school.

I demand the same for my funeral. A few years ago, I provided and insisted that the priest wear black vestments for the funeral of both my mother and father.

If not, the funeral director was told that there was to be no funeral Mass. As such, their funerals had to be held at an alternate local church. My family and attorney, as well as local funeral directors have been made aware of my wishes and the mandate that if any of these instructions are not followed, services are to be terminated abruptly; and without the interference of clergy, a purely secular burial is to follow immediately. My will also makes these wishes clear.

Thank you for your comment. Our Lord is indeed present throughout the post. Any discussion of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, wherein the once for all sacrifice of Calvary is re-presented, is a discussion of Jesus Christ.

Masses for the dead are offered so that those who have passed may be released from Purgatory and finally enjoy the beatific vision, spending eternity with Jesus. Carol, He is indeed mentioned in this article. Its all garbage……God must be so amused by the narrow minded and bigoted little people with so little to worry about with what is happening in the world and to mankind! More reading, less commenting. We are a smallish Church in Adelaide, South Australia.

Seems like a good colour for Christians at the time of death! God bless us all. I am a very simple Catholic. Just the regular kind. Both my parents have passed and at each funeral mass the priest wore black vestments. I had never seen them before the death of my dad. I was so moved when I saw the priest in black. This is what I thought when I saw the priest wearing black….

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