Black or violet vestments in Diocese of Madison now for funerals

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The funfetti, anti-New Translation blog, PrayTell, has reported that Bishop Robert Morlino of the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin,
instructed his priests at a funeral this morning to wear purple or black vestments for funerals.
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praytellblog.com/index.php/2012/06/26/funeral-vestment-color-in-madison-wi/

They’re not exactly a favorite blog of mine -_-, but they do not lie about simple news-type items.

Admittedly, this instruction was given “at a funeral,” probably implying a priest’s funeral–I can’t imagine this being said in a homily for a layperson, it doesn’t make sense there–but the blog goes on to ask,
Anyone out there have more details on the Madison instructions?
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which implies that this statement carries force.

Thoughts?
 
I would suggest the Badger Catholic blog. I don’t see anything out there, but you can email him.
 
Yes tragic, of all the things in liturgical reform, the use of white vestments and terminology of “celebration” at funeral masses is the absolute dumbest (and cruelest) thing the Church did. It truly is cruel at times, we should call a spade a spade: the family is in a state of mourning after a tragic ad unexpected loss;and the priest is in white and talks about a “celebration”. The church should be standing with the family, supporting them; not opposing them (ie the family in black and the church in a celebration color).
 
tafan said:
Yes tragic, of all the things in liturgical reform, the use of white vestments and terminology of “celebration” at funeral masses is the absolute dumbest (and cruelest) thing the Church did. It truly is cruel at times, we should call a spade a spade: the family is in a state of mourning after a tragic ad unexpected loss;and the priest is in white and talks about a “celebration”. The church should be standing with the family, supporting them; not opposing them (ie the family in black and the church in a celebration color).
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Exactly. How many families do you see going to their loved ones funerals wearing white, wanting to hear that (more or less) nothing’s wrong?

No, we should be in solidarity with them (to steal back our word), wear black, and recognize the mourning.
 
superamazingman said:
Exactly. How many families do you see going to their loved ones funerals wearing white, wanting to hear that (more or less) nothing’s wrong?

No, we should be in solidarity with them (to steal back our word), wear black, and recognize the mourning.
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The colour people wear to funerals is dictated by tradition and culture. Around here I’ve been to funerals where the spouse and children of the deceased were wearing jeans. Few people wear black, not even the pallbearers, unless they’re of a certain age and own a black suit.
 
When our beloved priest died in February, our bishop and bishop emeritus both wore violet at the funeral. The deacons at the altar (our parish’s three deacons) wore violet dalmatics. The priests and deacons of the diocese vested in albs with violet stoles.
 
I’ve never felt like the priest wasn’t standing with the family by wearing white. Quite the opposite, I’ve found it to be a hopeful sign that the deceased now enjoys the heavenly banquet Christ has prepared for each of us.

Not only in the vestments but in the white pall do we see this symbol. The deceased is again clothed in white, as at their baptism. Another sign that reminds us, in the words of the preface, “Life is changed, not ended.”
 
929dad said:
I’ve never felt like the priest wasn’t standing with the family by wearing white. Quite the opposite, I’ve found it to be a hopeful sign that the deceased now enjoys the heavenly banquet Christ has prepared for each of us.
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That’s all great, but not everyone necessarily goes to heaven. That’s the whole problem with white vestments: it greatly contributes to the canonization aspect of most funerals now-a-days.

A funeral is NOT a time to tell the family that “the deceased now enjoys the heavenly banquet.” The funeral is the time to offer fervent prayers for their soul.
 
Look, a long time ago black was the normal color for funeral vestments. They even draped the casket in black. And black was used for Good Friday, too.
 
NewEnglandPriest said:
Why is it depressing? White calls to mind baptism and the hope of heaven we have because of our Savior.
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Because it is imprudent. It is untraditional in the West. It is offensive to the theme of mourning. It comes from an age when felt banners and sugary sacropop were the rage, and while I admit that this alone doesn’t logically make it bad, it sends a message. I do not want people to think of my baptism at my funeral any more than I want them to think of my confirmation or first Holy Communion or myriad other events of my life, regardless of their importance. I want them to pray for my soul fervently and I feel that the color black fits in with this and is the most perfect thematic reminder that we have as far as color. I don’t really care if they remember a thing about me at the funeral, I just want them to pray for me. Nice memories can be had elsewhere, which is fine.

How appropriate would it be if a woman’s mother showed up in black mourning clothes to her wedding? I daresay it would be extremely offensive. This is along the same lines.
 
YoungTradCath said:
Because it is imprudent. It is untraditional in the West. It is offensive to the theme of mourning. It comes from an age when felt banners and sugary sacropop were the rage, and while I admit that this alone doesn’t logically make it bad, it sends a message. I do not want people to think of my baptism at my funeral any more than I want them to think of my confirmation or first Holy Communion or myriad other events of my life, regardless of their importance. I want them to pray for my soul fervently and I feel that the color black fits in with this and is the most perfect thematic reminder that we have as far as color. I don’t really care if they remember a thing about me at the funeral, I just want them to pray for me. Nice memories can be had elsewhere, which is fine.

How appropriate would it be if a woman’s mother showed up in black mourning clothes to her wedding? I daresay it would be extremely offensive. This is along the same lines.
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All of this is so true, and I will add one other thought. This comes from both direct personal experience and from visiting with a very good priest about the grieving process. It does not provide any consolation or long term help to tell the family and loved ones the deceased is “in heaven” or imply that to be the case. No, down deep everyone knows that is just someone’s opinion. What helps people is to know there is hope and that prayers for the deceased are worth while; that they can still help their loved one and their loved one can still help them.

But implying or telling them the loved one is in heaven or a better place, etc does little or no good.
 
I didn’t know there was a choice of color. How cool to find out there is. My husband & I have already noted in writing (& our kids know) that the priest at our funeral mass should make it clear that it is highly unlikely that either one of us would be in heaven that quickly. We are both assuming a very long stay in purgatory. :o

Now I have to mull over the question: Black or violet?
 
Bonnie said:
I didn’t know there was a choice of color. How cool to find out there is. My husband & I have already noted in writing (& our kids know) that the priest at our funeral mass should make it clear that it is highly unlikely that either one of us would be in heaven that quickly. We are both assuming a very long stay in purgatory. :o

Now I have to mull over the question: Black or violet?
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Good idea. I have told my kids I want black but not in writing. Unfortunately, not all parishes have black vestments these days. 😦
 
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