Role of vimp at Mass

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My daughter is a regular altar server, although she was not scheduled for Palm Sunday Mass. We were approached by one of the Deacons prior to Mass asking if she could serve, he needed a vimp.

There were other altar servers there today, but her role was different. She wore a white shawl type garment that covered her hands. She, at times, held the Bishop’s mitre and crozier. We belong to the Diocese Cathedral, the Bishop frequently celebrates Mass at the Cathedral, but I’ve not seen this before.

I’m curious about the role of vimp, if I’ve seen it before, I haven’t noticed it. If it was just because the Bishop was celebrating Mass, why isn’t it done everything he celebrates Mass?
 
I’m not sure why a vimp isn’t always used when a bishop presides but perhaps it was used today because of Palm Sunday and the beginning of our most important week of the year. You described it well…it’s used by a server, like a humeral veil, to hold the bishops crozier so that it is not scratched or damaged.
 
It is actually called a* vimpa*, and it used used whenever the bishop pontificates, i.e., celebrates Mass publicly as a bishop, with mitre and crozier.
 
Chatter163 said:
It is actually called a* vimpa*, and it used used whenever the bishop pontificates, i.e., celebrates Mass publicly as a bishop, with mitre and crozier.
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The garment is called a vimpa, but isn’t the actual person designated a “vimp?”
 
Tarpeian_Rock said:
The garment is called a vimpa, but isn’t the actual person designated a “vimp?”
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Perhaps some may say that informally, but there are two wear vimpas (vimpae) at a Pontifical Mass: one is properly called a mitre-bearer and the other a crozier-bearer.
 
Anna_Claire said:
I’m not sure why a vimp isn’t always used when a bishop presides but perhaps it was used today because of Palm Sunday and the beginning of our most important week of the year. You described it well…it’s used by a server, like a humeral veil, to hold the bishops crozier so that it is not scratched or damaged.
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It has nothing to do with protecting the Crozier or Miter from scratches and damages. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humeral_veil
 
Two “vimps” are always used at a Solemn Pontifical High Mass – one as a mitre-bearer and the other as a crozier-bearer. The vimpa itself is mostly ceremonial to show that the server does not have pontifical authority and that the mitre and crozier do not belong to the server. As far as why your bishop does not always use them, I cannot answer that. You’ll have to ask him.
 
Anna_Claire said:
I’m not sure why a vimp isn’t always used when a bishop presides but perhaps it was used today because of Palm Sunday and the beginning of our most important week of the year. You described it well…it’s used by a server, like a humeral veil, to hold the bishops crozier so that it is not scratched or damaged.
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White gloves are often used in place of the vimpa. The vimpa is used not to protect the mitre and crozier but to isolate them from the vimp’s hands.
 
My son has been a crozier-bearing with a vimpa. This was for a confirmation Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of the Military diocese. Our bishop uses them during confirmation Mass and other formal Masses. I am not sure about any regular Mass he may celebrate (ie not for a specific special occasion).
 
Our former bishop always brought a pair of vimpae veils with him when he visited parishes, for use by the altar servers who would be assisting him, and he expected that they would be used correctly.
 
I suspect that it also has the practical purpose of keeping fingerprints and sticky fingers off the crozier and miter. At least I suspected that was the reason sister made us use a purificator whenever we had occasion to touch any mass vessels.😉
 
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