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Unitas
Guest
Rather rude way to talk to a person considering a life-long vocation, isn’t it?
Have some respect.
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Have some respect.
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Aramis
Guest
Actually, it is good to question those going for such a vocation… especially when they give the appearance of doing so for the wrong reasons.
Keep in mind that a seminary education is at least 4 years… and that not all who think they are called are in fact called.
J
JReducation
Guest
Are you hoping to be a secular priest or a religious?
If you’re going to be a religious, they rarely wear them. They usually wear the habit of their religious community, except for those religious communities, such as Vincentians, which do not have a habit. The wear the cassock.
If you’re entering a diocesan seminary or secular association of priests such as Maryknoll, you had better find out what the rules are.
Usually, a seminarian is a layman, unless he’s a member of a religious community in vows. If you’re a layman, the rules of dress that apply to laymen will probably apply to you until you reach a certain level of studies.
Most secular seminaries do not wear cassocks or collars until they have reached a certain year of studies.
Even then, the idea of distinguishing yourself from your brothers is not a good one. You should distinguish yourself by your holiness and disappear.
JR
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Cristiano
Guest
Thank you for your outmost support to the candidates for consecration to the Holy Orders.
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JReducation
Guest
I don’t think that Sacerdotalis was lacking in support. My thoughts ran along the same line and I done formation work and vocation recruiting.
If someone approaches a vocation director and says that they want to join a community or diocesan seminary and begin to discuss the merits of wearing a habit or cassock a little too much, then there is reason to ask the person some questions.
We have to keep things in perspective too. There are people who prefer to join a seminary or relgious community that wears distinctive garb. There is nothing wrong with that. Many young religious and secular vocations do prefer the religious garb. There is nothing wrong with that either.
But when they speak to you, you hear them speak about the life that they are aspiring to live. The garb is a symbol of that life. They do not spend too much time asking questions about the garb or go online to ask questions about the garb. Their focus is on the life.
We have religious. They wear a habit. But when the young men come to join them, they are aflame with love for that life. The habit it part of the package. It’s almost like the wrapping.
This is just a personal observation. I was a student at a university that had a Dominican Priory. I remember the young Dominican friars at the university. They never wore their habit to class. They looked like other university students. But when you crossed the street to their house, it was like entering a whole different world. You could tell that you were in a Dominican house.
I asked a young friar why they didn’t wear their habit to class. He explained in the most simple terms that the Dominican habit requires a lot of upkeep because it’s white. They only get two. It was not designed to sit in those tiny chairs with the desktop, because it has about five pieces that get caught on everything and it’s uncomfortable and distracts you from class.
I realize that I have seen Dominican friars and sisters in uncomfortable chairs in habit. But the point is that to this young Dominican, the habit was not focus of being a Friar Preacher. The focus was the life and the mission. Based on that he made a judgment call when to wear it and not wear it.
As you can see, the garb is not as exciting as the life. What comes across in this post is that the garb is very exciting and cool. The OP is wondering whether he can wear the garb in private or when praying and seems to be anticipating wearing the garb, but has said little by anticipating the life that he’s about to embrace.
I think the question that Sacerdotalis poses is a valid one.
JR
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orgel_maestro
Guest
This is for the Novus Ordo seminaries, but in traditional seminaries like the FSSP or Institute, the reception of the cassock and the tonsure are usually done the same day. And, the tonsure canonically distinguishes the seminarian from the laity as a cleric, although he may not be ordained to major orders (sub-diaconate, diaconate etc.)
However, they FSSP in their clerical garb do have different requirements which distinguish their seminarians from those ordained to Holy Orders.
As for when you would wear the biretta:
From my knowledge, you probably wouldn’t wear it much outside of liturgical functions (mass, prayer of the divine office in choir, etc.). If you are serving at mass, I’ve never seen anyone besides the celebrant and sacred ministers wear birettas.
However, this is different if you are sitting in choir and not serving. The moments that the clergy in choir stand, sit and kneel are different from the faithful. For example, you would stand during at the beginning of the Sanctus, but would kneel after the “Hanc igitur” for the consecration, w/o biretta of course. You are also required to uncover and bow while sitting during certain parts of the Gloria and in the Credo (also kneeling at the mention of the incarnation).
But, even in the FSSP seminary I believe the seminarians do not even wear it that often. Institute of Christ the King seminarians do.
Its really up to your seminary and the rector.
But for Novus Ordo, there are less specifics. Its too bad we don’t see these traditional vestments which has overtime developed and contains so much history and significance.
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AJV
Guest
Um, why is this thread being resurrected after a year?
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JesuXPIPassio
Guest
I don’t get why so many people are being so hostile to you for this.
But anyway, you could give Gammarelli or Barbiconi a try. Gammarelli doesn’t have a website, though you’d be able to find their contact info online if you do a search. Barbiconi’s website is Barbiconi.it and they have an English version for you.
A little bit of advice though, don’t spend too much money on Birettas. Because they’re just cardboard with a thin layer of black material (supposed to be wool, but who knows what they make them out of these days), when you fold a collapsing biretta down, the cardboard wears out. It warps and doesn’t keep its shape.
Seminarians can wear birettas, but not with the tuft at the top until you become a priest.
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buc_fan33
Guest
I can’t believe this is even being discussed. I have nothing against seminarians wearing clerical dress while in class, ministering, serving Mass, etc., but what exactly would be the point in wearing a biretta? I completely agree with Sacerdotalis. I’ve been a seminarian for four years and never once have I seen a seminarian wear a biretta. Furthermore, I’m pretty sure if one did, my rector, a very orthodox and holy priest I might add, would be on him like butter on bread. Being a priest is not about the clothes you wear anymore than being married is about the ring on your finger. It’s quite the opposite in fact. You wear a wedding ring as an outward symbol to the lifelong commitment you have made to your spouse. Clerical dress is the same way. When a man puts a Roman collar on, he needs to do it for more reasons than just looking cool. That collar represents, and says something about not just yourself, but alse the Church, your brother seminarians and priests, even your bishop.
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RichardLaibly
Guest
I agree with Brother Mark. And honestly I feel the need to point out that the biretta is not something to be worn by seminarians. If you look at its history you will find that it is a type of ‘academic cap’ that signifies having a masters in theology or divinity(with three fins) and a doctorate (with four fins on top). Wait until you have the degree and are eligible for the priesthood.
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Chatter163
Guest
While I agreee that most seminaries do not use them now, this will come as a great shock to the FSSP, ICRSS and other traditional communities whose tonsured seminarians wear the biretta in the present, to say nothing of the pre-VII seminarians who wore them in the past.
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centerlinebrat
Guest
This Is CRAZY!!! Of Course you should buy a Biretta!!! It is not the fact that Clerical Garb Seperates the Priest from the laymen. It is the simple fact that it is a great witness. People will ask you questions and you should be ready to answer them in according to our faith to try to lead them closer to Christ.
I am a Seminarian Too attending the Pontifical College Josephinum In Columbus Ohio. If you have masses that are celebrated in the extraordinary form, A seminarian Sitting in Choir May Wear a biretta While sitting down only! It must be folded in your hands when procession and standing or kneeling. and while sitting down, you must tip your biretta whenever Our lords name is said and When our Lady’s Name is said.
THIS IS A GREAT WITNESS! and even if you do not wear it much. It is nice to have for the few times you will use it
God Bless you and my prayers are with you!!!
In Christ Through Mary,
Cody
I am a Seminarian Too attending the Pontifical College Josephinum In Columbus Ohio. If you have masses that are celebrated in the extraordinary form, A seminarian Sitting in Choir May Wear a biretta While sitting down only! It must be folded in your hands when procession and standing or kneeling. and while sitting down, you must tip your biretta whenever Our lords name is said and When our Lady’s Name is said.
THIS IS A GREAT WITNESS! and even if you do not wear it much. It is nice to have for the few times you will use it
God Bless you and my prayers are with you!!!
In Christ Through Mary,
Cody
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