Guys in cassocks - how can you tell if they're priests?

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Cassocks (at least in previous times) were so widely worn. Seminarians were allowed to use them. Today, altar servers use them. I was reading a booklet about Blessed Andre Bessette, who was a brother and not a priest, and he appears to be wearing a cassock as well.

How can you tell when someone wearing a cassock is a priest or not? (Of course, this would be aside the obvious indicator of the person’s age.)

I’m already very well aware of the distinctions between the cassocks for bishops, monsignors and Cardinals, but how about the distinction from the cassock of a lay person and that of a priest?
 
Here’s an idea–ask them.

Usually, if a layman is wearing a cassock (or other such robe–religious brothers would be wearing a habit of some sort, which is usually cut like a cassock but is not strictly a cassock), he’s not wearing a Roman collar with it. In an Eastern context, the only people who wear cassocks are clergy and religious, for the most part.

-ACEGC
 
I agree – ask him. The same thing holds true for someone wearing a Roman collar – he could be a seminarian. I suppose the other thing is that if you address him as “Father” he would correct you.
 
I know of some Protestant preachers who wear either the collar or cassock.
 
SuscipeMeDomine said:
I agree – ask him. The same thing holds true for someone wearing a Roman collar – he could be a seminarian. .
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Or a Deacon. Any cleric can wear a cassock and collar in the US.

Our parish has a Chaldean Sub-Deacon who is a parishioner. He wears a cassock and collar when he helps out at Mass.
 
I often portray a 17th century Jesuit priest for living history presentations and historical reenactments. One of the most frequent questions I receive is “Are you really a priest?” When I portray a musketeer no one asks if I’m really a musketeer. Dress like a priest and people will assume you’re a priest, even if you are obviously part of a presentation. Unless of course you have people who have never seen a priest in a cassock, then it’s Goth, wizard, medium, . . .

When participating in events I attend Mass at the most convenient church. I usually show up early and find a priest or sacristan so I can explain my outfit and head off any confusion. From the congregation I usually hear questions like “Are you visiting family, Father?”

JSA+
 
Just as a side note to Blessed Andre’s wearing of the cassock: he was member of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Their habit is the cassock, and the priests and the brothers wear it.
 
An easy, but not always verifiable method, would be to look at the fabric of the cassock. Often, altar server cassocks are cheap, 25-25$ cotton imitations(notthing wrong with that, why use expensive stuff for a guy who wears it at most once a week?), while priests who wear cassocks regularly almost always have wool or a wool-blend cassock, soemtimes with lining. It will be far thicker, and, well, woolier.

Or, you could just ask him.

Altar servers don’t wear roman collars, though their white dress shirts sticking out from underneath can often look like a roman collar from a distance XD. Guys in red, unless they are a cardinal, are always servers, not priests.
 
Last time I asked, the guy was an Anglican priest and knew I was a Catholic since it was at an ecumenical Good Friday service at my parish. He said something like, “I’m not sure if you would consider me one,” but it was obvious he knew what Catholics think and I murmured something non-committal and smiled and wished I hadn’t asked.
 
Claire_from_DE said:
Last time I asked, the guy was an Anglican priest and knew I was a Catholic since it was at an ecumenical Good Friday service at my parish. He said something like, “I’m not sure if you would consider me one,” but it was obvious he knew what Catholics think and I murmured something non-committal and smiled and wished I hadn’t asked.
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That was a remarkably awkward thing for him to say to you… What is he wanting you to say “Oh no, I disagree with my own Church” or “Yea… no I don’t think you are a priest at all.”???

Awkward.
 
ASimpleSinner said:
That was a remarkably awkward thing for him to say to you… What is he wanting you to say “Oh no, I disagree with my own Church” or “Yea… no I don’t think you are a priest at all.”???

Awkward.
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He could have just said, “I’m Anglican,” and left it at that.
 
Hi,
Well before once you received the tonsure you wore the soutane. So it was the mark of a cleric not a priest I suppose. Since that doesn’t exist in most seminaries( except traditional ones) I suppose seminarians receive the soutane at some point during their formation now a days. I am MC at the tradional Mass in my area and all the altar boys wear the white collar but red soutanes. Also in St.Peters in Rome I have noticed the younger altar boys wear a rabat and collar.

Pax Christi
 
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