Why did they change Good Friday's liturgical color?

[Lycoming]

In reality the “proper” color for all Masses of the dead is what the Church specifies or allows.

Is there anything from the Church that allows black vestments to be worn at Good Friday liturgies based on the current Roman Missal?

 

[FrDavid96]

But it seems contrary to what you stated about violet. Violet seems to be slightly more normative than black, since it may always be used, while black may only be used where it is the practice.

Sort of. The Latin word used is “mos” which can be translated as: custom, usage, wont, rule, will, inclination. (I looked it up, I’m no expert).

Since the introduction says that the traditional liturgical colors should be retained, that lends a lot of weight to the color black for funerals since violet (and especially white) are not in keeping with “traditional usage” The verb used to describe both black and violet is the same “potest” (may or might). The difference is that in traditional usage, black is not always the traditional color. Even before the current norms, in some locales other colors were used or at certain “types” of funerals other colors (the funeral color for the popes for example is traditionally red). For most of the Latin Church black has indeed been the traditional color for centuries so its use in most places would indeed be in keeping with the current GIRM.
The pitfall here is to try to apply a standard which came after the novus ordo GIRM was first promulgated (that of white at funerals) to say that black is not the practice. At the time the GIRM was first written, black was indeed the standard for almost all funerals in the majority of the Latin Church, and so the introductory sentence that the traditional colors should be retained is what leads to the conclusion that black is still the norm even though white might be the practice.

 

[FrDavid96]

In reality the “proper” color for all Masses of the dead is what the Church specifies or allows.

Is there anything from the Church that allows black vestments to be worn at Good Friday liturgies based on the current Roman Missal?

Those are 2 seperate issues. In Masses for the dead, black is still the norm. Likewise purple is also the norm.

The difference with white is that it is not the norm. It is permitted only to certain places by way of special permission from the Holy See who granted the exception. If one happens to be in one of those places, then yes white is a licit color without question or hesitation.

For the Good Friday Liturgy, red is the (only) prescribed color. One might (and I only say might) make an argument that black enjoys the status of custom. But at the same time one might make an argument that the change in the liturgical law from black to red abrogates the use of black and does not allow it to enjoy the favor of custom. Personally, I’m not sure which “side” I would be on. Earlier today (Good Friday) I wore a very dark red. I certainly would wear black if I were certain that this is permitted, but unless and until I am certain, I’m sticking with the letter of the GIRM.

 

[NHInsider]

In reality, black is the proper color for funerals and all Masses for the dead. White or violet are options which are permitted in the US (and some other countries).

Umm, not quite:

GIRM

1. As to the color of sacred vestments, the traditional usage is to be retained: namely,
   a. White is used in the Offices and Masses during the Easter and Christmas seasons; also on celebrations of the Lord other than of his Passion, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of
   the Holy Angels, and of Saints who were not Martyrs; on the Solemnities of All
   Saints (1 November) and of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (24 June); and on
   the Feasts of Saint John the Evangelist (27 December), of the Chair of Saint Peter (22
   February), and of the Conversion of Saint Paul (25 January).

b. Red is used on Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion and on Good Friday, on Pentecost
Sunday, on celebrations of the Lord’s Passion, on the feasts of the Apostles and
Evangelists, and on celebrations of Martyr Saints.

c. Green is used in the Offices and Masses of Ordinary Time.

d. Violet or purple is used in Advent and of Lent. It may also be worn in Offices and
Masses for the Dead (cf. below).

e. Besides violet, white or black vestments may be worn at funeral services and at other
Offices and Masses for the Dead in the Dioceses of the United States of America.

f. Rose may be used, where it is the practice, on Gaudete Sunday (Third Sunday of
Advent) and on Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent).

g. On more solemn days, sacred vestments may be used that are festive, that is, more
precious, even if not of the color of the day.

h. Gold or silver colored vestments may be worn on more solemn occasions in the
dioceses of the United States of America.

So it appears that Red is the prescribed color for Good Friday, and that the use of black or white for funerals is a US exception to the rule of violet, rather than the other way around. (EF next post)

 

[NHInsider]

According to several sources (none of them “official” as far as I can tell) the following is the prescription of liturgical colors in the EF:

In the Roman Rite, since Pius V, colors are five in number, viz.: white, red, green, violet, and black. Rose color is employed only on Lætare and Gaudete Sundays. Blue is prescribed in some dioceses of Spain for the Mass of the Immaculate Conception.

White is the color proper to Trinity Sunday, the feasts of Our Lord, except those of His Passion, the feasts of the Blessed Virgin, angels, confessors, virgins and women, who are not martyrs, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the chief feast of St. John the Evangelist, the feast of the Chains and of the Chair of St. Peter, the Conversion of St. Paul, All Saints, to consecration of churches and altars, the anniversaries of the election and coronation of the pope and of the election and consecration of bishops; also for the octaves of these feasts and the Offices de tempore from Holy Saturday to the vigil of Pentecost; it is used for votive Masses when the feasts have white, and for the nuptial Mass; also in services in connection with the Blessed Sacrament, at the burial of children, in the administration of baptism, Holy Viaticum, and matrimony.

Red is used the week of Pentecost, on the feasts of Christ’s Passion and His Precious Blood, the Finding and Elevation of the Cross, the feasts of Apostles and martyrs; and in votive Masses of these feasts. It is used on Holy Innocents if the feast occur on Sunday and always on its octave.

Green is employed in Offices de tempore from the octave of the Epiphany to Septuagesima, and from the octave of Pentecost to Advent, except on ember-days and vigils during that time, and on Sundays occurring within an octave.

Violet is used during Advent and from Septuagesima to Easter, on vigils that are fast days, and on ember-days, except the vigil of Pentecost and the ember-days during the octave of Pentecost. Violet is also used for Mass on rogation-days, for votive Masses of the Passion and of penitential character, at the blessing of candles and of holy water. The stole used in the administration of penance and of extreme unction and in the first part of the baptismal ceremonies must be violet.

Black is used in offices for the dead, and on Good Friday.

 

[Lycoming]

It’s always problematic when people feel they know more than the Church. It’s compounded when they try to sell their vision of the “truth.”

 

[FrDavid96]

Umm, not quite:

GIRM

So it appears that Red is the prescribed color for Good Friday, and that the use of black or white for funerals is a US exception to the rule of violet, rather than the other way around. (EF next post)

As for red on Good Friday, read my post. That’s what I said. I’ll quote it for you:
“For the Good Friday Liturgy, red is the (only) prescribed color.”

Now to switch from the topic of Good Friday to that of Masses for the dead:

Black is not an exception for the US. White is an exception for the US (and some other countries) What you are reading is the US adapted version of the GIRM (approved and binding for the US), not the typical Latin version. Black is not at all an exception to the rule, it IS the rule–read #346 in the Latin GIRM

346.e "Color niger adhiberi potest, ubi mos est, in Missis defunctorum."

The additional sentence clause “in the Dioceses of the United States of America” has been added to the US version of the GIRM, but is not there in the original. That much is obvious because the universal GIRM would not specify adaptations approved for particular places. Follow the link above and see for yourself the Latin GIRM does not contain that qualification.

 

[FrDavid96]

It’s always problematic when people feel they know more than the Church. It’s compounded when they try to sell their vision of the “truth.”

Please explain what you mean by that so that I might understand what you’re trying to say.

 

[FrDavid96]

Umm, not quite:

GIRM

So it appears that Red is the prescribed color for Good Friday, and that the use of black or white for funerals is a US exception to the rule of violet, rather than the other way around. (EF next post)

And yes, violet is also the universal norm for Masses for the dead (along with black).

 

[Matariel]

It’s always problematic when people feel they know more than the Church. It’s compounded when they try to sell their vision of the “truth.”

I fail to see how this relates to the topic of liturgical colours we’re currently discussing…

 

[Lycoming]

I fail to see how this relates to the topic of liturgical colours we’re currently discussing…

Because on this thread the OP received more than one answer – and not all it appears were based in fact.

 

[WMM]

In reality, black is the proper color for funerals and all Masses for the dead. White or violet are options which are permitted in the US (and some other countries).

Father, I stand corrected!

 

[NHInsider]

As for red on Good Friday, read my post. That’s what I said. I’ll quote it for you:
“For the Good Friday Liturgy, red is the (only) prescribed color.”

Now to switch from the topic of Good Friday to that of Masses for the dead:

Black is not an exception for the US. White is an exception for the US (and some other countries) What you are reading is the US adapted version of the GIRM (approved and binding for the US), not the typical Latin version. Black is not at all an exception to the rule, it IS the rule–read #346 in the Latin GIRM

346.e "Color niger adhiberi potest, ubi mos est, in Missis defunctorum."

an interesting tangent which I ran into because I’m a research nut and this thread intrigued me - it turns out that until the use of artificial dyes it was not actually possible to get a true black fabric dye - the blacks were really very dark brown, green or violets (probably made by combining colors) which would eventually fade to reveal the underlying color. But since it was Pius V who promulgated the 5-color system and he long predates the artificial dye, there is no causative connection . . .

 

[FrDavid96]

Father, I stand corrected!

I’ll likewise correct my own posts to say that violet is indeed a universal norm, and not just a US variation. That’s what’s nice about these posts–we can learn from each other when we’re engaged in civil conversation.

What happened with regard to black vestments is that in the 60/70s so many parishes disposed of their black vestments or “hid” them in obscure storage. This created the false impression that black vestments were somehow supressed. I remember as an altar boy finding a closet full of black vestments in the church basement (which was a finished storage area and served as the altar boy sacristy). When we asked a young priest about them, the answer was a very stern “forget you ever saw them.” We did (sort of). We never opened that closet again because the tone of his voice seemed to imply that there was something almost “evil” about what was in there. Thankfully those days of “Vatican II says…” are coming to an end and we are finally beginning to truly understand what the Council did and did not say. Black vestments are part and parcel of that whole restoration which we are now experiencing.

 

[FrDavid96]

Because on this thread the OP received more than one answer – and not all it appears were based in fact.

We all shared the information we had. No one person here had a complete, definitive answer. By engaging in conversation and sharing information, we all learned from each other and arrived at the correct “conclusion.” Granted, we went off on a slight tangent discussing the color for funerals as well as Good Friday, but that’s the nature of these conversations.

What I don’t understand is why you seem to see a problem in the discussion? What’s wrong? I truly don’t get it.

 

[Volodymyr]

Perhaps I can also lead discussion aside, Father96. I finding liturgical colors to be similar between Catolic church and Orthodox churches. I wonder if Catolic priests have vesting in these colors for these occasions:
Цвет Группа праздников, событий, дней памяти Что символизирует Примечание З

Gold, Yellow Sunday, days without special memory

White baptisms, mariage, rememberance of death services, Christmas, Bogojavlenije, Transfiguration, Assending Christ, angel feast days

Light blue Feasts of Mother of God, Icons of mother of God

Violet Lifegiving cross, great fast, Finding, Raising Cross

Red Easter, days of memory of martyrs

Green Days of memory of monks, confessors

Black Great fast

Dark red Great Thursday

 

[hamburglar]

Can we get back to the original topic? I understand that either black or violet is to be used for Masses for the Dead and I realize that red is to be used for Good Friday. I understand that.

I want to know the REASON why the color was changed from black to red. There has to be some reason to justify the change.

 

[NHInsider]

Can we get back to the original topic? I understand that either black or violet is to be used for Masses for the Dead and I realize that red is to be used for Good Friday. I understand that.

I want to know the REASON why the color was changed from black to red. There has to be some reason to justify the change.

okay, this is off-the-cuff (actually it is reaching back 30 years to when I was a university) - I believe the intent was to shift the focus to the Resurrection rather than on death (in the case of funerals) and to the Passion rather than the funereal for Good Friday. In other words, in both the case of Our Lord and of the faithful, death is not the end but the transition, and our focus should be not on mourning “as those who have no hope” (1 Thes. 4:13-14) but on grace and salvation.

I can probably dig out a reference if you need one, but not tonight

 

[Matariel]

Personally, I think the black vestments’re beautiful.

 

[AJV]

Black vestments have traditionally been used for Good Friday. Why did the Church change the liturgical color to red?

There were several reasons adduced the main ones being:

• Regem Martyrum Dominum, red being (as you know) the colour for the blood shed by martyrs. A further reason is adduced by pointing to the Feasts of the Passion, all celebrated in red.
• the Holy Spirit working through the sacrifice of the martyrs (in chairty, etc.) has long been a reason adduced for the colour red on their feasts- this was also applied to the sacrifice of Christ on Good Friday on account of Hebrews (“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who by the Holy Ghost offered himself unspotted unto God, cleanse our conscience from dead works, to serve the living God”)
• a historical reason, red being predominant in many parts of Europe before the codification of the liturgy, and still maintained in certain local usages and rites (like the Ambrosian)
• the idea of red as royalty and the connection with the Triumph of the Cross. In a sense, the victorious aspect of the Passion being also emphasized with the sorrowful (a la Vexilla Regis or Pange lingua)