Who is allowed to wear the Cope?

[JohnTaylor]

Can Deacons and Sub-deacons wear a Cope? I know in the Old church they could, but the Sub-deaconate was also an Ordained position then. Because the Sub-deacon is not an Ordainand any longer, may he still wear the cope or not?

JTB

 

[Dysmas1]

In the Catholic Church the only liturgical vestments deacons wear are the alb and dalmatic, I believe. The cope is reserved for those in higher orders.
I’m fairly certain but just in case you might want to look it up or someone more knowladgble than I can help you out on this question.

Peace

 

[TheMc]

In the Catholic Church the only liturgical vestments deacons wear are the alb and dalmatic, I believe. The cope is reserved for those in higher orders.
I’m fairly certain but just in case you might want to look it up or someone more knowledgeable than I can help you out on this question.

Peace

What about benediction? They wear a cope for benediction.

 

[Spirithound]

Can Deacons and Sub-deacons wear a Cope? I know in the Old church they could, but the Sub-deaconate was also an Ordained position then. Because the Sub-deacon is not an Ordainand any longer, may he still wear the cope or not?

JTB

The sub-deacon no longer exists, except perhaps for those groups dedicated to the EF. I would assume that within those groups, the sub-deacon retains his previous rights and obligations.

 

[Dysmas1]

The deacon, at benediction, is allowed a humeral veil but no mention of cope. Are they the same?

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Our deacon has done Benediction services several times, and wore a cope, plus a humeral veil at the time of the blessing with the monstrance. I would think a humeral veil alone over an alb wouldn’t look right - kinda “liturgically naked.”

 

[Joe_Kelley]

The deacon, at benediction, is allowed a humeral veil but no mention of cope. Are they the same?

No.

The cope is a large cape that fully covers the body.

The humeral veil is a rectangular strip maybe 8 feet long and 2 or 3 feet wide that goes over the shoulders. There are hidden pockets in the ends where the wearer puts his hands. Thus the hands are not seen and do not touch the sacred vessel.

While now usually used only for Benediction it is [was?] worn by the sub-deacon in the solemn high mass of the EF when handling the chalice, paten etc. I have heard that its original purpose was to ease the strain on the arms when carrying very ornate vessels in long processions. It can be arranged to transfer much of the strain to the shoulders.

You will find in the Church that many things done for practical reasons were later given liturgical significance. For example, in the days before embalming incensing the coffin at a funeral had a practical function.