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Do the deacons at your parish wear dalmatics?
I don’t think they can do that…Our deacon wears a dalmatic for those Masses when he preaches - and on the great feasts. He bought all of them himself. Otherwise, he wears just the alb and stole.** On a side note, a number of pastors in our diocese (in New England) forbid their deacons from wearing dalmatics** because they regard it as “confusing” to the people to have someone “dressed like a priest” who really isn’t. (Actually, I think it’s more a case of trying to “keep deacons in their place.”) Our diocese also forbids the Roman collar to deacons, even when ministering.
The proper vestment of the Deacon is the dalmatic, to be worn over an alb and stole. In order that the beautiful tradition of the Church may be preserved, it is praiseworthy to refrain from exercising the option of omitting the dalmatic.
Some of that is prudent. For example, if someone saw a deacon in a Roman collar, they might assume that he was a priest (I would if I saw them, and I’m Catholic!) If the deacon is seen around his wife and they are kissing or hugging or stuff like that, someone that thinks that it is a priest might be scandalized.Our deacon wears a dalmatic for those Masses when he preaches - and on the great feasts. He bought all of them himself. Otherwise, he wears just the alb and stole. On a side note, a number of pastors in our diocese (in New England) forbid their deacons from wearing dalmatics because they regard it as “confusing” to the people to have someone “dressed like a priest” who really isn’t. (Actually, I think it’s more a case of trying to “keep deacons in their place.”) Our diocese also forbids the Roman collar to deacons, even when ministering.
No priest (or bishop for that matter) can forbid a deacon from wearing a dalmatic. Priests (just like bishops and deacons) are servants of the liturgy, not its master.Our deacon wears a dalmatic for those Masses when he preaches - and on the great feasts. He bought all of them himself. Otherwise, he wears just the alb and stole. On a side note, a number of pastors in our diocese (in New England) forbid their deacons from wearing dalmatics because they regard it as “confusing” to the people to have someone “dressed like a priest” who really isn’t. (Actually, I think it’s more a case of trying to “keep deacons in their place.”) Our diocese also forbids the Roman collar to deacons, even when ministering.