Obscure Rubrical Help Needed

[mosher]

Ok, so here is the deal.

While it is rare the wearing of the black zucchetto is permitted to clergy since it has not been formally abrogated, suppressed, or otherwise done away with in any document of which I am aware. In fact, all my research point to it being permitted. So, there is no problem for its use in regular wear. However, the question can be raised about its legitimate use in the liturgy.

Now, since there is no instruction about the use of the black zucchetto in the current rubrics then one would naturally have recourse to the previous rubrics concerning the practice. Now, the previous practice that I have been able to find only references those who are serving at the altar and that instruction states that it is to be left in the Sacristy. However, I can’t find any instruction for those attending Mass or the Divine Office in choir or otherwise. This would lead me to believe that the rule would be to follow the current Pontifical concerning the use of the zucchetto while in attendance but I am unsure.

Can any of the liturgical geniuses on this forum help me figure out this particular dilemma?

 

[Spirithound]

"Bishops and cardinals wear it [the zucchetto] at Mass, except during the Canon; other ecclesiastics may not wear it at Mass without special papal permission. However, according to a decision of the Sacred Congregation of Rites (23 September, 1837), a bishop also may not wear it while giving Benediction. "

This is from the 1917 Catholic Encyclopedia.
newadvent.org/cathen/15765b.htm

 

[mosher]

"Bishops and cardinals wear it [the zucchetto] at Mass, except during the Canon; other ecclesiastics may not wear it at Mass without special papal permission. However, according to a decision of the Sacred Congregation of Rites (23 September, 1837), a bishop also may not wear it while giving Benediction. "

This is from the 1917 Catholic Encyclopedia.
newadvent.org/cathen/15765b.htm

This is what I understand. However, the narrow application of this is to those clerics that are acting in the function of Major or Minor ministers. The same rule does not apply to those “outside of sanctuary.” This is evident from the fact that in my order there was a time after that 1837 statement it was required of the friars to wear either a white or black zucchetto according to their station or dress. There are also many pictures in our archives demonstrating this point in liturgical functions. Of course this does not include Benediction.

So, in effect my question remains because my question is not concerning clerics acting as ministers in the celebration of Mass. However, thank you very much for your help so far.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I have a question.

Is the black zucchetto permitted for religious clergy? It is my understanding that this was only allowed for the secular clergy as the religious clergy have their religious habit.

 

[Mintaka]

These sound like questions for the liturgy geeks at New Liturgical Movement, or possibly for Fr. Z over at wdtprs.com.

 

[mosher]

I have a question.

Is the black zucchetto permitted for religious clergy? It is my understanding that this was only allowed for the secular clergy as the religious clergy have their religious habit.

Yes, but it depends on the Order. For instance, in my own Order the black wool zucchetto was worn by the Cooperator Brothers and all brothers when wearing the Cappa. Priests and clerical brothers would wear a white wool zucchetto when not wearing the Cappa. I have also seen in photos some Franciscans and Benedictines who would wear black.

 

[Hotchkiss]

For the Ordinary Form of the Mass:

“Clerics who do not have episcopal dignity yet still make use of the zuchetto (outside of the Mass) are to leave it in the sacristy. In the case of the (non-episcopal) celebrant of the liturgy who insists on the use of the zuchetto, it is to be removed prior to entering the sanctuary and not returned to the head until leaving the sanctuary again afterward.”

The Church Visible

Fr. James Charles Noonan, Jr.

Page 307

 

[mosher]

For the Ordinary Form of the Mass:

“Clerics who do not have episcopal dignity yet still make use of the zuchetto (outside of the Mass) are to leave it in the sacristy. In the case of the (non-episcopal) celebrant of the liturgy who insists on the use of the zuchetto, it is to be removed prior to entering the sanctuary and not returned to the head until leaving the sanctuary again afterward.”

The Church Visible

Fr. James Charles Noonan, Jr.

Page 307

Thank you for this but I am aware of this citation from the Church visible. Unfortunately it doesn’t answer my question because this is with reference to those celebrating or assisting at mass. This point is clear it is the special problem of my question that is unclear to me. Fr. Z posted my question on his blog and there are some interesting responses that make me think that I need to search through the particular liturgical instructions for my own order because it seems that different Religious Orders have slightly different traditions and usages than the general roman norms. Alas, time keeps on ticking.