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    LET IT aLL sTART hERE                                                        
 For Catholics who care...

Tell me...do you think Pope Francis is ever out of uniform?

12/13/2014

9 Comments

 
I had to do more than just "casually" comment on our men in black.

Church clerics, for centuries have been required to wear distinctive clothing to identify them as ordained clergy.  The Synod of Braga,
A.D. 572, ordered Priests to wear different clothes when they went out.
In the Middle ages, the dress of the clergy began to be regulated by Canon Law.  There is a long history surrounding the question of "costume" where Priests are concerned and I urge you, for your own edification, to read more about it.

To get to the gist of the matter:  Pope Benedict XIII, in 1725, forbade clerics to wear civilian attire.  I have not found any evidence that regulations have been "officially" changed.   (If you are aware of any, please share them here at:  www.letitallstarthere.com.)

For the United States, the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore (1884) promulgated regulations for clerical attire as follows:  "...We enjoin upon our priests as a matter of strict precept, that both at home and abroad, and whether they are residing in their own diocese or outside of it, they should wear the Roman collar." 

There are reasons why men wear uniforms for a particular position they hold. The postman wears a uniform.  The police officer wears a uniform.  The train conductor wears a uniform. All are civil servants.  Surely, it is as important for "a servant of God" to be identified as just that. Priest are required to dress appropriately. They have been ordained.  "Being ordained, or ordination, is a sacrament; that is a special blessing from God which makes an inner change in the man. Another word for this sacrament is ‘Holy Orders’.  When a man receives Holy Orders, he is configured to Christ, which means that when he carries out his ministerial work he is acting in the power of Christ, and not in his own power. We call this a special grace of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit could be described as God’s power, energy and wisdom. In the most profound way possible, ordination creates a new man, one who, if living his vocation (calling) faithfully, can say with St. Paul: ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.’ (Galatians 2:20). He is changed not because of what he can do, but because of what he has become. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) describes Holy Orders as ‘The sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time…’ ." (CCC 1536). (The Papal Visit.org)

Sorry.  There is no winggle room here.  If one choose to be "configured to Christ", then this blogger believes that he ought to keep his commitment and act accordingly. 

Oh and as a reminder:  "The color black indicates poverty. Moreover, black is a color of mourning and death for the Priest, the symbolism is dying to oneself to rise and serve the Lord as well as giving witness of the Kingdom yet to come. Black is associated with sorrow but in the case of priestly robe this colour has another symbolic meaning. A black cassock is to remind a Priest that he ‘dies to the world’ every day and immerses in eternity. Blackness also symbolises giving up bright colours and thus giving up what the world brings, its glittering, honours and entertainment. Further, the colour black is the symbol of authority. A judge sitting on the judgment chamber wears black. An advocate who pleads in the court wears black robe. In the same manner, wearing the black robs during the services is a mark of the spiritual authority of Priests.  In our very secular world, the wearing of clerical garb continues to be a visible sign of belief and of the consecration of one’s life to the service of the Lord and His Church."  (Catholic Educatoin.org) 
9 Comments
Stephanie Zito
12/13/2014 08:38:22 am

I don't think that Pope Francis is out of uniform. When I see him on EWTN news he is either wearing his simple white vesper to show his humility and poverty. I have also seen him wearing black which shows he is a servant of our Lord Savior Jesus Christ. There is little I can say because Evelyn you have said it all better than I can. I am thankful for your reminder that St. Paul says: ‘It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.’ (Galatians 2:20). He is changed not because of what he can do, but because of what he has become. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) describes Holy Orders as ‘The sacrament through which the mission entrusted by Christ to his apostles continues to be exercised in the Church until the end of time…’ ." (CCC 1536). (The Papal Visit.org) When the Priest or Pope respond to their calling to serve Jesus Christ those who reflect their love and devotion to serve Jesus Christ are not afraid to wear their black that shows they live for Jesus Christ and go out into the world and help others. Pope Francis has been showing his humbleness and devotion to Christ Jesus. Thank you for providing fruitful blogs to help us to have a better understanding. I am very amazed when I read all that you blog. God Bless You Evelyn

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Ellen Mary Moran link
12/13/2014 02:20:45 pm

Interesting topic.I think there was a little fuss when Pope Francis initially wouldn't wear the traditional garb of the papacy.Our Holy Father dresses down for his "office",it's good to be the Pope !!! The culture we live in is not always conducive to a charitable aspect towards the 'Roman Collar",particularly when our media likes to "beat a dead horse", in regard to the scandals.It's true a sneer or scathing look is not too much to bear for "Holy Orders", although we have had some lunatics killing priests here and there but relatively few .We do however have many Missionary Priests that have come to aid us here, that have come from places where they would be killed ,if they wore the collar in "public",of course, perhaps some of those Gentlemen have "issues" and need to adjust,from those horrible places,when they are there they have "permission" to not wear their garb in public.It's up to the local bishop .I don't have a problem with a Priest going "incognito" and it's really none of my business.Unless of course,he's drunk and in his under garments of the front lawn of the church, :D, We do have some few clergy that use their uniform like the Pharisee's,power tripping,where it might be a lesson in humility to be out of the collar,I have on the other hand seen some really poor clothing choices of Gentlemen Priests out of uniform,I suppose because they are out of "practice",like "outlandish golfers",no offense guys.Just don't show up at "my"funeral with that "outfit"on.Nice page Evelyn :D !

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evelyn
12/13/2014 05:24:49 pm

Thanks for coming Ellen! And for your sharing your insights. I laughed aloud at your parting words! Were you up late baking cookies?

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louise von brockdorff
12/14/2014 03:43:11 am

AMEN!!
Wonderful....very good information....know several priests who need this reminder...

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Jackie White
12/14/2014 07:03:52 am

I agree with proper clerical attire for ministerial work. There are so many times when priests can and may be out of uniform for some pleasurable activities. Just as I want to be directed by a priest in clerical attire for that purpose, I find nothing wrong with a priest out of uniform when he is visiting his family, on a picnic , socializing with his priest friends, working out, etc. Just as the other professions can be out of uniform when not on duty, so it should be OK for the priest to be out of uniform when he is not ministering or involved in liturgical services if he so chooses.

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evelyn
12/15/2014 02:35:50 am

I should made myself clear. I am okay with priests "out of uniform" on days off
But it's not ok to come to diocesan meetings dressed in Ralph Lauren. Thank you all for blogging at www.LetItAllStartHere.com

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I am NOT a member of the Catholic faith therefore I cannot attest to what is or is not acceptable in the Catholic Church. I was raised in a small UCC Church in Danbury Connecticut. I will always remember our minister Ken Landall. he was rather progressiv
12/16/2014 03:24:11 am

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evelyn link
12/16/2014 04:18:14 am

Hello friend: Your post about your experience with Minister Ken Landall was cut off. Can you resubmit? I, along with the rest of the bloggers at www.letitallstarthere.com would like to hear what you have to say. Thanks again for your comment. Evelyn

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evelyn
12/16/2014 06:02:26 am

Again blogger who once lived in Danbury, CT...
your message to us is a good one but I am the ony only one who can read it in its entirety. Please post it again

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