vestment & divestment

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Apr 06, 2007

At yesterday's Chrism Mass, Pope Benedict made use of liturgical vestments as catechetical tools to remind priests of the meaning of their vocation:

In administering the sacraments, the pope said, the priest "no longer represents himself and no longer expresses himself," but speaks and acts for Christ. For that reason, he said, priests must continually configure themselves to Christ, something that is symbolized in the liturgical vestments they put on.

The amice, which traditionally covered the shoulders and head, reminds priests to concentrate on the celebration of the Mass and on the figure of Christ, and not to let their thoughts wander, he said.

The amice? Didn't that go out with Fish-on-Fridays tribal Catholicism?

Today's thinking Catholics generally embrace a more inclusive and machine washable model of church. The Velcro collar strap on Father's Linen-Lyke alb, accordingly, symbolizes a fully adaptable approach to full-time ministry.

(A fuller account of the Holy Father's homily is available here.)