Traditional Liturgist question regarding episcopal livery

[johndoe1992]

Hi, i imherited a cassock from a guy who was a MC at a cathedral for his bishop back in the early fifties. It is fuscia with black piping, black buttons and black cuffs with a black fascia and tassels.

For those who know, Nainfa says that violet Rabat, stockings, fascia are reserved for prelates, while violet is still used as a sign of episcopal livery, including anyone from
Bishops household, cathedral mc sacristan, seminarians of the diocese etc. This edition I have was from 1909. I assume that they would have had black piping and fascia on violetn cassock like the one I’ve inherited? Although it doesn’t mention the sleeves if it should be violet or black…

My question is : the Novus Ordo MC’s wear all violet, including fascia. Even for pontifical masses according to 62 rubrics, the MCs are all in violet. When did this change of violet cassock with black cincture change to violet cassock with violet cincture? The ceremonial of bishops which is up to date in accordance with 62 rubrics mentions only violet cassock while a manual published in 1932 says both violet cassock and cincture.

Was this changed during the pontificate of pius Xii around the time he abolishes the prelatial cassock trains? Is there a specific letter, or publication in available regarding this reform?

 

[YoungTradCath]

Could you please post a picture or two? I think that will help. Fuchsia is a prelatical color usually, yes, although I have seen altar boys very occasionally wear cassocks in that color.

 

[Albert_Wibisono]

Seems that your friend is the train-bearer of the bishop? Here is from Fr. Shetler’s site. He is quoting Nainfa too.

Episcopal Livery

In addition to being the principal color for Prelates, purple is also the color of livery. It is the color used by the whole Pontifical Household, no matter their rank (and so, even the altar servers at the Papal Vatican Basilica wear purple), but it is also the color of episcopal livery. While this latter use is not seen now as frequently as it once was, it remains the legitimate custom of the Roman Rite. According to this custom, “the Master of Ceremonies of the cathedral church, the train-bearer of the Bishop, the cross-bearer of the Metropolitan, all the members of the diocesan seminary, as well as the employees of the cathedral, namely, sacristans, ushers, chanters, etc., all should wear purple cassocks”.[50]

The purple wool cassock used for episcopal livery is trimmed in purple silk, which may be of a lighter hue.[51] It is worn with black stockings, black shoes without buckles, and the purple silk sash. Chaplains of His Holiness, simple priests, and lesser ecclesiastics use the rabat proper to their rank. Laymen of course wear their lay collar under this cassock. Prelates do not wear episcopal livery but their proper dress.

By custom the train-bearer has a form of dress particular to him. He wears a purple wool cassock trimmed in black velvet, black stockings, black shoes without buckles, and the purple silk sash. If he is a cleric or seminarian he wears a purple silk rabat, regardless of his rank. When he accompanies the Bishop in cappa magna he wears over this a black silk ferraiolone, but changes it for an unpleated surplice when the Bishop is in sacred vestments.[52]

shetlersites.com/clericaldress/#50b