The Cope

[RedDeathsMask]

This is a liturgical vestment that has fallen into disuse. It is to be used in all functions outside of Mass, where the chasuble is to be worn (the vestment of offering the holy oblation.) In the old days when the asperges was not part of Mass, the priest was required to wear the cope then and then change into chausuble for celebrating Mass. The current GIRM states for functions in which conicide with Mass, the chausuable may still be worn. Such as: distributing ashes on Ash Wednesday, witnessing a marriage when Mass is celebrated with it, and greeting the casket at funeral Mass. However when Mass ends, it ends.

The GIRM however is silent on what the instruction is when benediction follows Mass. If the priest needs to take time to take the host out of the tabernacle and place it in the monstrance, then it would not be illogical for him to take the time to change his vestments. On Maundy Thursday, when we go into the procession, my priest takes off his chasuble and puts on the cope (like in the old days.) What about the Palm Sunday procession? It seems to me that the GIRM specifies the Chausuble may be used for cope functions only for those split moments that come before and after Mass. I think that it leaves it up to the celebrant to decide, which is sloppy. What do you think?

 

[RedDeathsMask]

The more I think about it now, there were some changes made to Mass by Vatican II. First of all Mass begins with the procession and the hymn. So at a funeral the procession of the casket begins Mass and is part of it, thus the chasuble should be worn at that point. The distribution of ashes and marriage rite are after the liturgy of the word, right in the middle of Mass and so putting on the cope would be unnecessary for something in the middle of Mass. For the procession on Palm Sunday, the Cope would be appropriate, since people need to process into the church and take their seats. While the people are taking their seats, the priest can put on his chausuble. The Solemn enterence on the other hand (the procession inside the church) the chasuble could be worn since it is there is little time between the procession and the Mass.(The enterence hymn and procession begin the Mass and are thus part of it.) I would say that the procession on Holy Thursday and benediction after Mass, the cope should be put on. These are not functions of the Mass and they occur after Mass has concluded and there is time for preparation of these events. The way I am reading the GIRM, is the chasuable can be worn only where there is no time for prepartion.