Red Cassocks for Altar Boys?

[Discipline]

I appreciate that historically, the plain black cassock and white surplice have long been on loan to altar boys from the clerical garb collection. But just where does the authority/tradition of wearing red cassocks by altar boys stem from?

Last Sunday I attended Mass at a different parish. There was an altar woman in her mid 50’s wearing what appeared to be a very expensive red choral cassock (with a cutesy white turtleneck underneath), a very nice “Vatican-style” surplice and a pectoral crucifix/cord that would make any archbishop envious.

I just sorta shook my head at what I viewed as excess, and wondered where the authority comes from for anyone, let alone a woman to wear that sorta garb in the sanctuary? She sorta looked like she was trying to impersonate a cardinal of the Church.

 

[ncjohn]

I never studied the history of it, but I know that at our parish in the 50’s and early 60’s the altar boys wore red. I’ve seen it done in many churches since, so I can’t imagine there is any particular problem with the red, per se.

I do agree that what you describe does sound a little overdone, but without actually seeing how it went together it’s hard to say for sure.

Peace,

 

[martinporres]

Discipline, just curious, what did the altar woman do during the mass?

 

[AJV]

I appreciate that historically, the plain black cassock and white surplice have long been on loan to altar boys from the clerical garb collection. But just where does the authority/tradition of wearing red cassocks by altar boys stem from?

At one time it was common to dress altar servers as “little clerics” and that is one source of the tradition. While other elements such as stoles/tippets, birettas, etc. were outlawed and gradually disappeared, the red (in some cases, violet) cassocks were retained. **

Another aspect that had an influence on this was that the members of a bishops household wore purple cassocks, and they served the bishop’s Masses, so the custom was also adopted and spread from there.It was also the colour appropriate to the Master of Ceremonies for a bishop, and certain servers (the cross bearer and train bearer).

I have also read that yet another source of the tradition, at least in England, was an extension of the custom of the Chapel Royal, whose choristers and altar servers, from before the Reformation, had the privelege of wearing red.

I have been to a church (NO), though ,where the servers wear different cassocks based on the liturgical colour i.e. green when the priest wears green, red when it is gold, white or red; and black when it is violet.

** The Congregation of Rites in 1859 acknowledged red or black cassocks and surplices, but outlawed birettas, cinctures, coloured socks, etc.

 

[cue]

I am sorry you had to experience that. I doubt her need to a) serve at all b) impersonate a cleric c) namely a bishop or prelate. What you have seen cannot be rectified with the prescriptions of Catholic worship. One of the Batlimore councils allowed boys who are not seminarians to serve and wear cassocks (clerical garb). The Holy Father allowed that if such boys and men were unavailable that girls and women may that their place who are to wear albs (General Instruction).

After seeing such scary sights, you can begin to understand why young men might be detered from pursuing a vocation to the priesthood.

 

[Discipline]

Discipline, just curious, what did the altar woman do during the mass?

She did all the “cool” parts that altar boys do – dressing the altar, holding the Sacramentary, etc. She did not lead the procession while carrying the processional crucifix, rather she walked right in front of the priest.

 

[Discipline]

At one time it was common to dress altar servers as “little clerics” and that is one source of the tradition. While other elements such as stoles/tippets, birettas, etc. were outlawed and gradually disappeared, the red (in some cases, violet) cassocks were retained. **

That explains a lot to me. Thank you. When I served Mass in college I wore a very conservative black cassock, black cincture and a white surplice, much to the delight of the “black widows” – a dozen or so daily communicant widows who dressed in black and sat in the front pew of the church.

The Sunday before one Christmas they gave father and I a gift. I think father received some cologne, I received a black zucchetto made by RJ Toomey. I stood there sorta stunned but managed to get out a “thank you very much ladies” as they walked away. Father walked up to my face and from about 3" away said “you WILL wear that skullcap when those ladies are in the pews.”

At Christmas morning Mass I thought they were going to explode with happiness. Thankfully I have black hair and you really couldn’t see it. In retrospect it was wrong to wear it (and I knew it) but it brought joy to those women (who had no idea it was not allowed) who are now all gone and I don’t regret the abuse one bit. I still have that darned zucchetto, size XL.

Do you happen to have a URL that documents where “The Congregation of Rites in 1859 acknowledged red or black cassocks and surplices, but outlawed birettas, cinctures, coloured socks, etc.?”

I think that would be fascinating reading. Thanks.

 

[AJV]

That explains a lot to me. Thank you. When I served Mass in college I wore a very conservative black cassock, black cincture and a white surplice, much to the delight of the “black widows” – a dozen or so daily communicant widows who dressed in black and sat in the front pew of the church.

The Sunday before one Christmas they gave father and I a gift. I think father received some cologne, I received a black zucchetto made by RJ Toomey. I stood there sorta stunned but managed to get out a “thank you very much ladies” as they walked away. Father walked up to my face and from about 3" away said “you WILL wear that skullcap when those ladies are in the pews.”

At Christmas morning Mass I thought they were going to explode with happiness. Thankfully I have black hair and you really couldn’t see it. In retrospect it was wrong to wear it (and I knew it) but it brought joy to those women (who had no idea it was not allowed) who are now all gone and I don’t regret the abuse one bit. I still have that darned zucchetto, size XL.

Do you happen to have a URL that documents where “The Congregation of Rites in 1859 acknowledged red or black cassocks and surplices, but outlawed birettas, cinctures, coloured socks, etc.?”

I think that would be fascinating reading. Thanks.

An praeter vestes liturgicas quae competunt vel conceduntur clericis, scilicet vestem talarem nigram, vel rubram, superpelliceum seu cottam . . . liceat istis pueris, qui clericos supplent, induere alia indumenta liturgica, videlicet albam pro superpelliceo seu cottam? cingulum? birettum rubrum? mozettam rubram vel alius colons? chirotecas ?

Resp. Negative (S. C. 9 Julii 1859 Petrocoren. ad 2).

(So according to the above you shouldn’t have also been wearing a cincture ) This was also extended to the custom of wearing purple and red socks (then an item of prelatial vesture), certain types of buckled shoes, etc. Though it was largely ignored for over half a century - the parish priests must have been more afraid of the old ladies in the pew than the cardinals and bishops at Rome.