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ndismyhome
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Quick question: what is the appropriate liturgical color for a funeral?
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Spencerian
Guest
Hi!Quick question: what is the appropriate liturgical color for a funeral?
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1685) notes that liturgical vestment colors for a funeral Mass are often definable by the local customs.
While black vestments can be used in a funeral Mass, a common modern practice are the use of white vestments. Black, then, is left for Good Friday.
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ndismyhome
Guest
I was curious to the Catholic stance on the issue, as traditionally Lutherans used black or white, but my pastor argues for the use of the colors of the season. I find it strange, but hey, its the ELCA. We can’t expect too much.
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Theophorus
Guest
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal States in paragraph 346 that the Traditional useage should be retained for the colours of sacred vestments. it goes on to say that either White(where appropriate), Violet/Purple, or Black vestements may be used in masses for the dead.
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EasterJoy
Guest
Keep in mind that each diocese or archdiocese may have local directives, approved by Rome for that diocese. For instance, on the web site for the Archdiocese of Portland, the general norm is published, followed by the local directive in italics:
Color of liturgical vestments (see #346): Beside violet, white or black vestments may be worn at funeral services and at other offices and Masses for the Dead in the dioceses of the USA. Gold or silver colored vestments may be worn on more solemn occasions.
When selecting color for these occasions, it is important to consider cultural sensitivity regarding color, fabrics, etc. The use of these additional colors should be determined primarily by pastoral consideration and not personal preference. Blue is not an approved liturgical color.
So in our archdiocese, whether the color of the vestments used for a funeral is white, purple, or black is something the presiding priest or deacon would decide based on his sense of the pastoral situation, rather than simply wearing what he or the family personally happen to like. Neither black nor purple would shock me, but I’ve never seen anything other than white for funerals. OTOH, I haven’t been to a funeral where the family was Filipino or Hispanic, nor one in a parish traditional enough to own any black vestments. That could be the different cultural situation referred to in the local directive.
Color of liturgical vestments (see #346): Beside violet, white or black vestments may be worn at funeral services and at other offices and Masses for the Dead in the dioceses of the USA. Gold or silver colored vestments may be worn on more solemn occasions.
When selecting color for these occasions, it is important to consider cultural sensitivity regarding color, fabrics, etc. The use of these additional colors should be determined primarily by pastoral consideration and not personal preference. Blue is not an approved liturgical color.
So in our archdiocese, whether the color of the vestments used for a funeral is white, purple, or black is something the presiding priest or deacon would decide based on his sense of the pastoral situation, rather than simply wearing what he or the family personally happen to like. Neither black nor purple would shock me, but I’ve never seen anything other than white for funerals. OTOH, I haven’t been to a funeral where the family was Filipino or Hispanic, nor one in a parish traditional enough to own any black vestments. That could be the different cultural situation referred to in the local directive.
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Mattapoisett64
Guest
Actually, as I believe - and so does my Ordo - the liturgical color for Good Friday is red.Hi!
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1685) notes that liturgical vestment colors for a funeral Mass are often definable by the local customs.
While black vestments can be used in a funeral Mass, a common modern practice are the use of white vestments. Black, then, is left for Good Friday.
J
Joe_Kelley
Guest
From what I have seen white is the color of mourning for the Vietnamese, and probably for most Asians.
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benedictgal
Guest
I told my parochial vicar that if I go before he goes, I would want him to use purple or black for my funeral. A mutual priest friend of ours has black vestments, including a black pall.
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