Lectors or readers and liturgical colors

[Don_Ruggero]

OK, Fr, I did a little more research, and I’d definitely have to talk to my Priest about vestments if I were to do this…

It’s the chasubles that are worn out, they are modified Gothic style, post Vat II, and I would guess they were originally purchased in the '70s from the style of the embroidered symbols. My guess is 1974 or shortly after that missal revision.

But there’s a lot that goes into selecting vestments I don’t know about.

But still, would it be appropriate for me to replace the Lectionary? That one I can do by ISBN.

It is, of course, a lovely and generous thing to step in as a benefactor and help a parish that may have trouble stretching its resources for purchases.

That said…I would really urge you to speak to the priest and work with him rather than present him with a fait accompli.

Using myself as an example, I will always choose a chasuble to wear that has a Christian symbol over one that doesn’t. There was a parish where someone decided to donate a very expensive and even elegant chasuble that many would have been found highly stylish. It was a very generous act. However, I continued to wear the simple chasuble we already had because it actually had a cross embroidered upon it. Plus the style of the old chasuble was a simple Gothic, which I prefer, but it was well cut to my own dimensions. The new chasuble was so voluminous that it reached the top of my shoes and I was constantly having to fold it back on both sides to grasp things – or just so my hands would be visible. A priest of slighter build could not have even worn it. The fabric was so thick that it was tremendously heavy to wear and impossible to use outside of Winter because it was like being wrapped in a blanket. After a few wears, I put it in the back of the vestment closet. Hopefully the vestment brought satisfaction to someone who came after me and found it more to their taste.

As for the lectionary…that is nice but, also even there, I would suggest doing it in concert with the priest so that he may order it. For instance, I am at an age where I greatly prefer using the chapel edition size of the liturgical books. They are less cumbersome for me to lift and move about. They have a smaller profile on the altar or ambo. They are less burdensome for young servers to hold, too. They are also less expensive. Someone wanting to make a generous gift, if they asked me, would find they would be getting something I greatly prefer and that requires less generosity on their part.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I see Father David and I were typing at the same instant…or 60 seconds apart in posting. I affirm what he said. It truly is awkward…and I dare say most of us who are clergy have experienced it…when someone gifts us with something we know was even expensive but is something that we would not ever choose to use.

 

[Usige]

For the good Father’s here, if someone wanted to make an anonymous donation for say liturgical vestments, would you have a problem with directed giving? In otherwords would it bother you if someone were to provide a donation but left the style up to you?

I know we have some benefactors that donated monies for stained glass windows and statuary, but left it to the pastor as to style, etc. Some people complained about buying a statue instead of what ever they though was more useful and he said since it was a directed gift he could only use the money within the bounds of the direction. He said he appreciates this more as it let’s a donor make their wishes known, but doesn’t tie his hands on the specifics.

I know it is easier to just talk to him directly, but some people truly want to make the donations anonymously for their own humility (i.e. they don’t want a plaque or something else to say who did it).

 

[FrDavid96]

For the good Father’s here, if someone wanted to make an anonymous donation for say liturgical vestments, would you have a problem with directed giving? In otherwords would it bother you if someone were to provide a donation but left the style up to you?

No, no problem at all. On the contrary, much appreciated.

I know we have some benefactors that donated monies for stained glass windows and statuary, but left it to the pastor as to style, etc. Some people complained about buying a statue instead of what ever they though was more useful and he said since it was a directed gift he could only use the money within the bounds of the direction. He said he appreciates this more as it let’s a donor make their wishes known, but doesn’t tie his hands on the specifics.

That does bring up another issue. When we’re discussing something very expensive (I mean, stained glass windows are measured in tens of thousands of dollars), there are other factors such as permission from the diocese to allow the construction. When we’re talking really high dollar amounts like that, there has to be some discussion beforehand.

I know it is easier to just talk to him directly, but some people truly want to make the donations anonymously for their own humility (i.e. they don’t want a plaque or something else to say who did it).

That’s all right. Most priests will still respect the anonymity of the donor.

The problem (to be avoided) is that if one makes such a donation but the priest never uses it, in the end what’s the point?

 

[Don_Ruggero]

For the good Father’s here, if someone wanted to make an anonymous donation for say liturgical vestments, would you have a problem with directed giving? In otherwords would it bother you if someone were to provide a donation but left the style up to you?

I know we have some benefactors that donated monies for stained glass windows and statuary, but left it to the pastor as to style, etc. Some people complained about buying a statue instead of what ever they though was more useful and he said since it was a directed gift he could only use the money within the bounds of the direction. He said he appreciates this more as it let’s a donor make their wishes known, but doesn’t tie his hands on the specifics.

I know it is easier to just talk to him directly, but some people truly want to make the donations anonymously for their own humility (i.e. they don’t want a plaque or something else to say who did it).

Father David, again, has answered quite well. But I would like to add a different perspective on an aspect of the matter.

If by anonymous, you mean the person makes the donation in such a way that the priest cannot know its origin at all and if by a directed gift you are indicating an extreme of specificity, then I could have a very real problem. We are accustomed to dealing with directed gifts…normally they are more in the nature of a bequest but, of course, not necessarily.

If a person leaves as a directed gift, let us say, a thousand dollars to the chapel in honor of Our Lady to be used to provide flowers for the shrine of the Blessed Virgin following the funeral Mass for as many weeks as the money will provide a weekly floral arrangement, I would happily honour such a request. Another example is of a family providing the funds to purchase, in memory of their mother who died and who had done much over the years in tending the linens and vestments and the sanctuary, the candles for the sanctuary lamp for one year following her death.

If a person anonymously donated 500 dollars which was to be used exclusively to buy vestments, I would do that and draw from that money for vestments as the need arose. Honestly, though, it is a help if the directed gift can be qualified such as “for needs of the sanctuary” in such a case so that I could have the discretion to buy altar linen if the need is greater there than vestments…which is a reason that it is always desirable to have a discussion with the priest since he is typically going to be more acquainted with the needs of his parish or chapel.

What would be a problem, though, is if someone anonymously gave a sum of money to the parish directing that the money was to be used to buy, for example, a statue of a given saint that it was not possible or desirable to accommodate in the church or chapel. The directed gift obviates me from using the money for another purpose. The complete anonymity of the gift would preclude me from either discussing it with the donor (unless s/he manifests herself in an appeal I would make to the parish to please come forward) or returning the gift. In other words, completely anonymous gifts should not be so directed that they put the priest in the position that the money has to be unused.

Finally, on another topic related…donors giving either for themselves or in memory of a loved one can be memorialised in what they give. Even vestments can have a tag stitched into them with the name. And, yes, even for the anonymous giver. I have seen a number of times over the decades, as I put on a chasuble, words to the effect of “Pray for the anonymous benefactor who donated this vestment”. And, of course, I do.

 

[speters33w]

Yes, I will talk to my priest. He just likes to show gratitude, and I was been afraid he would single me out as the donor just after mass after the final blessing. But I’d rather it just happened and I remained, more or less, anonymous. I don’t care if he knows. I think I’ll just tell him that. Thanks for the tip on NOT shipping to a parish anonymously.

Lectionary: I’ll talk to him about that, too. I was just going to order EXACTLY what we have by ISBN, but I guess it’s possible there is a different one he’d prefer. He doesn’t touch the Lectionary for Sunday Mass, we have a Gospel and that’s all he has to heft on Sundays - though I do like my “chapel size” Lectionary I ordered used for use at the home. The weekday volumes at the church are still in good shape.

I certainly don’t think he is being negligent, there’s only so much money. And anything that goes in is already earmarked, I’m sure.
I overheard another Priest, one I rather like, at a different parish (a parish with a lot of poverty) in a different Diocese talking to someone about a directive from their bishop say: “What am I supposed to do? Turn them all upside down, shake them and see what falls out of their pockets?”

Though our pastor is overworked, I’ll have to make an appointment to talk to him. I don’t think he’ll be offended or think I’m thinking him negligent at all. I’m actually quite sure he’s noticed all this stuff too, and there’s nothing he can do about it right now.

I just got this funny picture in my head of if my wife agrees to make the chasubles, (for which the fabric and materials to embroider the symbols would likely cost over $69 per, she would be picky about high quality materials) of my pastor saying: “Can she measure me during her confession? Ask her if she can have some scruples ready just in case she doesn’t have enough mortal sins before she finishes measuring.” …No, he wouldn’t do that, but he IS that overworked.

Actually, if I do talk to him I wouldn’t be surprised to find there’s a laundry list of low dollar thises and thats he’d really like to see done, and can I take care of some of them without going through an envelope?

Though I do like the “for needs of the sanctuary” option Don mentioned.

 

[utah_rose]

I was just wondering if a lot of lectors or readers look at liturgical colors when they are going to read.

I had a real hard time finding a rose dress shirt, it’s an odd color for men’s clothing. Then I found my parish doesn’t even have rose vestments, the priest who normally celebrated in the past at Gaudete and Laetare Sundays brought vestments in from a sister parish, so today a visiting priest wore violet, which is also approved for today, and I wore rose.

It worked out just fine, though.

But then I was thinking about it and I realized a lot of times the readers (including myself in the past) don’t dress in the liturgical colors.

It’s not something I really care about for anyone else, it’s just something I started doing recently because that’s how I interpreted

but I never worried about it before. I wasn’t directed to start wearing the liturgical colors, I just do it.

But I’m just wondering if it’s common for other readers to look at colors, or not.

We wear black robes and a neighboring parish wears white. I’m so glad because then I don’t have the problem of what to wear!

 

[FrDavid96]

…
I overheard another Priest, one I rather like, at a different parish (a parish with a lot of poverty) in a different Diocese talking to someone about a directive from their bishop say: “What am I supposed to do? Turn them all upside down, shake them and see what falls out of their pockets?”

Good heavens, no!

That only makes the coins fall out while all the folding money stays in their pockets!

He must be newly ordained or he would know better by now.

 

[Phemie]

Now, if he tends to be a very “everything has to be a special way” (meaning his way) kind of pastor tread with caution. That’s me. I want every liturgical item to be “just so.” I tried 3 printings of the new Roman Missal before I settled on the one I like (yes, the NEW Roman Missal).

Being in Canada, I didn’t think about that. We only have one source for our Roman Missal and that’s the Bishop’s Conference publishing arm.

 

[speters33w]

Good heavens, no!

That only makes the coins fall out while all the folding money stays in their pockets!

He must be newly ordained or he would know better by now.

Oh, no, Fr! Folding money? They’d say "What’s that?’ What falls from their pockets is what they’ve got, unless corn is currency. Paper money is for rich folks!

OK- in reality that parish is not as impoverished as the places the Holy Father (or, in years past, Jesus, for that matter) likes to go, but at that church I’m the rich dude. Though two or three of their GORGEOUS stained glass windows might pay my salary for a year And I’m “lower middle class” by American standards.

At my church I’m above average for income, but at my parish (if you include the mother-church) I’m below average.

And maybe I’d like some of whatever falls out of my pockets to go to a Lectionary and chasubles. I already do things (you can imagine, no specifics, I’m not uncharitable) for the community.

I’d just like a decent Lectionary and Vestments for my church.

 

[Kenny_Kamel]

I have served as a lector on a regular basis for years and have kept track of the liturgical calendar so to conform my attire to match the liturgical colors of the day when I lector. I have even gotten in the habit of following the liturgical calendar/colors otherwise! For example if I know a martyr’s memorial day is next Monday, I’ll be wearing a red shirt to work. If Mary has a feast day, I wear blue. If one of my beloved Carmelite or Franciscan Saints has their day, I’ll wear brown. Call it liturgical OCD perhaps but it is a way I prefer to add additional veneration to what we celebrate.

 

[speters33w]

I have served as a lector on a regular basis for years and have kept track of the liturgical calendar so to conform my attire to match the liturgical colors of the day when I lector. I have even gotten in the habit of following the liturgical calendar/colors otherwise! For example if I know a martyr’s memorial day is next Monday, I’ll be wearing a red shirt to work. If Mary has a feast day, I wear blue. If one of my beloved Carmelite or Franciscan Saints has their day, I’ll wear brown. Call it liturgical OCD perhaps but it is a way I prefer to add additional veneration to what we celebrate.

But what will you do next Thursday the 17th? Green or purple? Decisions… decisions…

 

[SMHW]

But what will you do next Thursday the 17th? Green or purple? Decisions… decisions…

I remember the first time St. Patrick’s Day fell on a Sunday at my (then) very young parish with an Irish born Pastor. It seemed like the whole parish had dressed up in green to celebrate the day. But of course the clergy was dressed in Lenten purple.

After Mass I witnessed a parishioner mentioning his surprise to our Pastor that he had not worn at least a little green. Maybe socks at least? Our Pastor, in turn, expressed his own surprise and said he liked to be coordinated. He then pulled up his pant leg and exposed his purple socks.

 

[Brendan]

But what will you do next Thursday the 17th? Green or purple? Decisions… decisions…

White. That would be the color for the optional Memorial

 

[zab]

I’ve sometimes matched the liturgical colour of the day but it’s always been accidental. My Mass wardrobe mainly consists of black pants or black skirt worn with either a red or black jacket and shirts in shades of pink or black depending on the jacket. The only green and purple clothes I own are souvenir t-shirts only available in those colours and obviously not appropriate for Mass.

I figure if the Rector of the Cathedral where I attended Mass yesterday didn’t wear rose there is no reason I, as a reader, should concern myself with anything beyond the cleanliness and modesty of the clothes I wear.

I also have on occasion co-incidentally matched the liturgical colors. But sometimes it is just an opportunity to wear a favorite color. I have a red sweater that I like but don’t wear very often, because it’s RED and I’m rather shy and don’t want to stand out. So it is only on certain days like Christmas, Pentecost and Corpus Christi Sunday and few other holidays that give me the opportunity to wear my red sweater. So lay persons who are wearing the liturgical color may be doing it for different reasons.

 

[Norseman82]

I was just wondering if a lot of lectors or readers look at liturgical colors when they are going to read.

I had a real hard time finding a rose dress shirt, it’s an odd color for men’s clothing. Then I found my parish doesn’t even have rose vestments, the priest who normally celebrated in the past at Gaudete and Laetare Sundays brought vestments in from a sister parish, so today a visiting priest wore violet, which is also approved for today, and I wore rose.

It worked out just fine, though.

But then I was thinking about it and I realized a lot of times the readers (including myself in the past) don’t dress in the liturgical colors.

It’s not something I really care about for anyone else, it’s just something I started doing recently because that’s how I interpreted

but I never worried about it before. I wasn’t directed to start wearing the liturgical colors, I just do it.

But I’m just wondering if it’s common for other readers to look at colors, or not.

If I can, I will. During Lent, I have a purple desss shirt and a light purple tie. Today, for Palm Sunday, I wore a red tie (it was actually a Chicago Blackhawks tie).

 

[Norseman82]

An even funnier story…

Years ago, when I took my dog to the vet for her annual shots and tests during Lent, my vet put a purple bandage on where she drew the blood. I asked her if she was coordinating the bandages with the liturgical season and she replied “Yes” (she may have been joking).

 

[felsguy]

I wore a red tie today (deliberately) when I helped read the Passion and then I wore an apron with a large rooster on it when I served coffee and donuts.

 

[Norseman82]

I wore a red tie today (deliberately) when I helped read the Passion and then I wore an apron with a large rooster on it when I served coffee and donuts.

The rooster is a good one! I actually have two ties with chickens on it (to honor family heritage, since my great-grandmother’s maiden name was “Kura”, which is Polish for “chicken”), so perhaps next year I will wear the rooster one if I am lectoring Palm Sunday again.

 

[marytk]

IT IS fun to do . I do not have green for most of the year. But since we don’t have to wear the correct liturgical color thenI can wear blue on Feasts of Mary.