All Souls Mass Vestment Color Question

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For All Souls Mass this week in the OF, my priest wore a white vestment, on EWTN’s televised Mass I saw the 2 priests wear black vestments, and watching the broadcast of All Souls Mass from St Patrick’s Cathedral - Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan is wearing purple vestments. I know from past experience at the TLM for All Souls Requiem, the priest wears black vestments. Which is right or is the choice of the celebrant, just wondering.
 
It depends. 🙂

For the EF, the vestment color is black. There is no option (that I know of) for any other color.

For the OF, it can be black, violet or white depending upon location. I believe it is the choice of the bishops’ conference, and if the conference makes more than one color possible then it is the choice of the celebrant.

In my archdiocese, violet or black can be worn. That said, we had a visiting deacon today who wore white because that was all he had with him. 🤷
 
In the US, for All Souls Mass, as well as any Mass for the Dead, priests can use White, Black or Violet.

From 346 of the GIRM:
e) Besides the color violet, the colors white or black may be used at funeral services and at other Offices and Masses for the Dead in the Dioceses of the United States of America.
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tawny said:
It should follow the Ordo for the Diocese/Archdiocese.
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Indeed, but the Ordo is extremely unlikely to state something contrary to whatever the bishops’ conference decides. (I hesitated to bring up the Ordo because not everyone knows what it is.)

The Ordo for my archdiocese says “violet or black;” our pastor chose violet. White is not an option here but there are a number of countries where it is, including the US. If I’m not mistaken some Asian nations also use white, which is a traditional color of mourning in the region.
 
Hmmm…I never knew the ordo was of use to a layperson, but after reading this, now I know it is. (Learn something new everyday!)

When my husband died, I asked the priest, who knew us personally, to wear purple. He wore white. Grrr…but, with what you have taught me, I will have to assume that the ordo for the diocerse of Albany NY commanded white. Figures…well, never mind, grrrr…

I always liked purple, because it represents the dead person, who becomes (at least) a Holy Soul with all the joyful anticipation that implies. But it also represents those of us left on earth, who will miss that person, sometimes terribly. I feel the good Lord keeps both joyful soul and mourners in mind.:o
 
I wore black today.

I stopped wearing white at Masses for the Dead years ago.
 
Thank you. I really appreciate your respect for those who mourn. Comforting those who mourn is something the Good Lord wants us to do.:o
 
MissRose73 said:
For All Souls Mass this week in the OF, my priest wore a white vestment, on EWTN’s televised Mass I saw the 2 priests wear black vestments, and watching the broadcast of All Souls Mass from St Patrick’s Cathedral - Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan is wearing purple vestments. I know from past experience at the TLM for All Souls Requiem, the priest wears black vestments. Which is right or is the choice of the celebrant, just wondering.
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In the Ordinary Form (in the United States) black, violet, or white are all options and the option belongs to the celebrant. Ordos cannot take that away. When Rome gives options in the Mass, it’s the right of the celebrant to choose.

In the Extraordinary Form black is the only option. However, I think (if I recall correctly) that violet can substitute for black in case of necessity (for example, if the priest is traveling).

In the OF, there’s no “right or wrong” choice. Any of the 3 are legitimate choices.
 
FrDavid96 said:
I wore black today.

I stopped wearing white at Masses for the Dead years ago.
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Just curious, Father David. Did you have to provide your own black vestments?

I only ask because I know that in our parish there are only gold, green, red, violet, and rose. Our priests normally use those provided by the parish with the exception of a white with gold and blue that one of our priest uses for Marian feasts. I had asked if they used black vestments for funeral masses or other masses for the dead and he said no one uses them any more because they are too expensive. 🤷 I believe he said they use white/gold.
 
The abbey’s Ordo said black, violet or white for the Mass (but Green for the Offices, as the normal Sunday Divine Office was celebrated). At Mass today, the main celebrant, who was the abbot, wore black, as did the deacon. The concelebrants wore white.
 
Usige said:
Just curious, Father David. Did you have to provide your own black vestments?

I only ask because I know that in our parish there are only gold, green, red, violet, and rose. Our priests normally use those provided by the parish with the exception of a white with gold and blue that one of our priest uses for Marian feasts. I had asked if they used black vestments for funeral masses or other masses for the dead and he said no one uses them any more because they are too expensive. 🤷 I believe he said they use white/gold.
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Too expensive? Does he know how many people in his parish die in a year? If it’s an averege parish, I’m sure those black vestments would be of great use! When I die, I hope the priest will wear purple but gee, I didn’t get my request once, and I doubt I’ll get it again. Grrrrrr!
 
Usige said:
Just curious, Father David. Did you have to provide your own black vestments?
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Both.
When I first arrived here, I had 2 sets of black vestments (maybe 3) that were older ones I was given from another parish. They were in wearable condition, but just barely. I also had a third which is technically white but it’s white with black brocade (lots of black). It almost looks grey from a distance. I had that one custom made when I first decided to move away from white as a sort of “bridge.” Shortly after getting it, I was transferred. When I arrived at my current assignment, I wore those 3 (2 1/2?) until the parish purchased some new black vestments. I now wear only the new black ones.
I only ask because I know that in our parish there are only gold, green, red, violet, and rose. Our priests normally use those provided by the parish with the exception of a white with gold and blue that one of our priest uses for Marian feasts. I had asked if they used black vestments for funeral masses or other masses for the dead and he said no one uses them any more because they are too expensive. 🤷 I believe he said they use white/gold.
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Too expensive? Hardly!

Maybe the pastor just doesn’t know where to shop. I’m not being sarcastic either. I agree that most of the black vestments that are seen in the standard catalogues are priced beyond reason. Maybe he really doesn’t know where to get them.

This is what my parish owns now. As for the Gothic style, I also have one that belongs to me personally.

http://testing.catholicliturgicals.com/pm/prod_images/_32_RVS_D09_6BK5.jpg
$109

http://testing.catholicliturgicals.com/pm/prod_images/_167_RVS_D03_6BK.jpg
$139 (the one at my parish has silver trim, not gold)

http://testing.catholicliturgicals.com/pm/prod_images/_170_RVS_D04_6BK.jpg
$159 (again, silver)

and for daily Masses for the dead…
http://www.catholicliturgicals.com/admin/uploads/GVS_D09I_6BK5.jpg
That one cost a whopping $69
No missing zero’s there. Sixty-nine dollars (plus shipping). Although it only has the PX Alpha-Omega on the back, not as pictured.

The Roman style all came with stole, chalice veil, burse, and maniple. The Gothic came with stole only.

Is $69 beyond the parish budget???

N.B.
If anyone quotes this post, please remove the pictures.
They’re too large to repeat in the thread, and I could not find smaller versions.
 
Father, I’ve had some priests in my diocese recently begin celebrating the Extraordinary Form. Our Una Voce chapter has been thinking about helping them outfit themselves with vestments and the like. Dare I ask where you’re buying these vestments so inexpensively?
 
bardegaulois said:
Father, I’ve had some priests in my diocese recently begin celebrating the Extraordinary Form. Our Una Voce chapter has been thinking about helping them outfit themselves with vestments and the like. Dare I ask where you’re buying these vestments so inexpensively?
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Go ahead. Ask away.
 
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