Biretta's

  • Thread starter Thread starter childofmary1143
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

childofmary1143

Guest
I would like to ask everyone here some questions regarding Biretta’s:
  1. Sub-Deacon’s are permitted to wear it at Mass, correct?
  2. Is it worn only for a High Mass or can it be worn for a Low Mass?
  3. Is it permitted in Novus Ordo Masses or just TLM?
  4. The colors are Black for Priests, Deacon’s and Sub-Deacons; Red for Bishops and Purple for a Cardinal?
Thank you.
 
childofmary1143 said:
I would like to ask everyone here some questions regarding Biretta’s:
  1. Sub-Deacon’s are permitted to wear it at Mass, correct?
  2. Is it worn only for a High Mass or can it be worn for a Low Mass?
  3. Is it permitted in Novus Ordo Masses or just TLM?
Click to expand...
Yes to all.
  1. The colors are Black for Priests, Deacon’s and Sub-Deacons; Red for Bishops and Purple for a Cardinal?
Click to expand...
Thank you.
Click to expand...
Priests of certain dignity (e.g. certain monsignori; also canons of cathedrals who have priveleges in their vesture) may have coloured pom-poms (violet or red, according to the dignity) on their black biretta.

Another distinction which used to be observed was in the lining of the biretta: for cardinals it was red, for bishop’s the old episcopal colour, green, for certain prelates, red/violet, and priests and below, black.
 
AJV said:
Yes to all.

Priests of certain dignity (e.g. certain monsignori; also canons of cathedrals who have priveleges in their vesture) may have coloured pom-poms (violet or red, according to the dignity) on their black biretta.

Another distinction which used to be observed was in the lining of the biretta: for cardinals it was red, for bishop’s the old episcopal colour, green, for certain prelates, red/violet, and priests and below, black.
Click to expand...
The Norbertines have the unique distinction of wearing the white biretta.

I was looking around for a picture of one but couldn’t find it for the moment.
 
AJV said:
Yes to all.

Priests of certain dignity (e.g. certain monsignori; also canons of cathedrals who have priveleges in their vesture) may have coloured pom-poms (violet or red, according to the dignity) on their black biretta.

Another distinction which used to be observed was in the lining of the biretta: for cardinals it was red, for bishop’s the old episcopal colour, green, for certain prelates, red/violet, and priests and below, black.
Click to expand...
Thank you AJV. Now my next question would be when do the Priests/Deacons/Sub-Deacons wear the biretta and take it off for the NOVUS ORDO Mass? Is it mentioned in the Sacramentary?
 
GerardP said:
The Norbertines have the unique distinction of wearing the white biretta.

I was looking around for a picture of one but couldn’t find it for the moment.
Click to expand...
Yes, indeed. I was referring more to the secular customs than those of the religious orders.
Now my next question would be when do the Priests/Deacons/Sub-Deacons wear the biretta and take it off for the NOVUS ORDO Mass? Is it mentioned in the Sacramentary?
Click to expand...
Not that I know of.

My guess would be that it is permissible in processions and recessions and possibly also when the celebrant is seated and is allowed to have his head covered. No other time. Actually I’m not so sure about its use for those who are celebrating Mass though it is certainly permissible for those assisting in choir dress.
 
GerardP said:
The Norbertines have the unique distinction of wearing the white biretta.

I was looking around for a picture of one but couldn’t find it for the moment.
Click to expand...
Yes, indeed. I was referring more to the secular customs than those of the religious orders.
Now my next question would be when do the Priests/Deacons/Sub-Deacons wear the biretta and take it off for the NOVUS ORDO Mass? Is it mentioned in the Sacramentary?
Click to expand...
Not that I know of.

My guess would be that it is permissible in processions and recessions and possibly also when the one is seated and is allowed to have his head covered. No other time. Actually I’m not so sure about its permissibility for those who are celebrating Mass though it is certainly permissible for those assisting in choir dress.
 
Our parish priests used to wear them all around town back in the 40’s and 50’s. They would enter the Sanctuary from the Sacristy and before the opening prayers at the foot of the altar, hand it to an altar boy who placed it at the priest’s chair until after the last prayers at the foot of the altar. I have a faint memory that they would also don it for some short period during the Mass, but don’t recall when or for sure.

In addition to colors it was my understanding that for Bishops and above the biretta had four “lobes” at the top instead of three.

Like hats for the properly dressed man they seem to have joined the dodo and if not extinct must be nearly so. We had a young assistant for a while several years ago who wore both the cassock and biretta for various events on the parish grounds including the school. He died very young from an unfortunate event.
 
I’ve always seen it donned during High Masses when the celebrant sits during the singing of the Kyrie, Gloria and Creed.
 
The cathedral clergy in Innsbruck, Austria wore their birettas at the times indicated by markadm, and removed them at the traditional moments (they were also vested in “Roman”/baroque style vestments:thumbsup: ).

When Bp. Jenky of Peoria recently presided in choro for a recent wedding, I jokingly asked him in the sacristy if he remembered how to use his biretta - while I didn’t go out to check on him (I was working, not attending) he did indicate that he knew when to remove it, “cross” it, etc. during the various prayers.

On a bit of a tangent, though, I think attendance in choir is just as rare now as the biretta itself.
 
In addition to colors it was my understanding that for Bishops and above the biretta had four “lobes” at the top instead of three.

The academic biretta has 4 blades, but the ecclesiastical only three, regardless of who wears it.

In a Baptist university in my home town there was a woman who got her doctorate from an Italian university, and wore a 4 bladed biretta at academic occasions.
 
Are there any sub-deacons at this time in the TML?

Thanks
George
 
rwoehmke said:
Our parish priests used to wear them all around town back in the 40’s and 50’s. They would enter the Sanctuary from the Sacristy and before the opening prayers at the foot of the altar, hand it to an altar boy who placed it at the priest’s chair until after the last prayers at the foot of the altar. I have a faint memory that they would also don it for some short period during the Mass, but don’t recall when or for sure.
Click to expand...
I’m not sure if it is the same for the biretta, but priests & deacons are not allowed to wear the zucchetto during Mass. Does anyone know if the same goes for the biretta?
 
jkarp said:
I’m not sure if it is the same for the biretta, but priests & deacons are not allowed to wear the zucchetto during Mass. Does anyone know if the same goes for the biretta?
Click to expand...
It has already been said above. The Priest removes the biretta near the start, and then only puts it back on for the kyrie, gloria and credo.
 
markadm said:
It has already been said above. The Priest removes the biretta near the start, and then only puts it back on for the kyrie, gloria and credo.
Click to expand...
The priest at a TLM/EF Mass may only wear the biretta when he is sitting- if this is not the case for the Kyrie, etc. then no. (I know you know that—just clarifying. )
 
geovet said:
Are there any sub-deacons at this time in the TML?

Thanks
George
Click to expand...
Since the order of sub-deacon has been eliminated, the only sub-deacons that exist in the Roman Rite are those ordained by orders who celebrate only the Extraordinary Form.

So, the role of sub-deacon in a non-religious order Mass is often fulfilled by a priest or even a layman.
 
During the normative Pauline Mass:

Procession: Celebrant priest wears the biretta (bishops wear miters.) Priestly concelebrants and those vested in choir may wear or carry the biretta.
**
At foot of altar:** Removed from head.

After reverencing/incensing altar: Replaced on head.
**
Opening prayer:** Removed (sometimes not yet replaced after above.)

During epistle readings: Replaced on head.

Proclamation of the Gospel: Removed from head.

Preaching of homily: Worn by everyone except priestly homilist (bishop would wear miter.)

While being incensed: Held at breast.
**
Right after lavabo:** Removed by remaining concelebrants (homilist has yet to replace his.)

After Blessed Sacrament is Reposed: Replaced on head.

Closing prayer: Removed from head from just before until the end of the Mass.

Recessional: Biretta is replaced once the altar has been reverenced and the individual are moving out of the sanctuary, or outside of the sanctuary altogether.

Source: The Church Visable: The Ceremonial Life and Protocol of the Roman Catholic Church by Fr. James-Charles Noonan, Jr.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top