Symbolizes:
the Helmet
of Salvation
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The Amice is a rectangular piece of white linen with two strings at the upper corners which a cleric uses underneath his alb to cover the neck so that the Roman collar of the cassock is hidden. The word amice comes from the Latin amicire, meaning "to cover" and, because the heads of criminals condemned to death were covered in linen, the amice recalls the humiliation which was put upon Christ.
As he puts on the amice, the priest kisses the Cross on the Amice and prays:
Place upon me, O Lord, the helmet of salvation, that I may overcome the assaults of the devil.
Impone, Domine, capiti meo galeam salutis, ad expugnandos diabolicos
incursus. (Latin)
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Symbolizes:
Purity
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The Alb is the long white, robe-like vestment worn by all clerics at liturgical celebrations (celebrant, concelebrant, deacon, or acolyte). The alb (from Latin word alba, meaning "white") can be traced to the ancient Roman alb worn under a cloak or tunic; its color symbolizes purity and its form recalls that described in Ezekiel 28:4.
As he puts on his alb, he prays:
Purify me, O Lord, and cleanse my heart; that, being made white in the Blood of the Lamb, I may come to eternal joy.
Dealba me, Domine, et munda cor meum; ut, in sanguine Agni dealbatus, gaudiis perfruare sempiternis. (Latin)
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The Biretta is the three-ridged, square cap worn by eh priest when he enters the sanctuary. Its three ridges represent the Holy Trinity.
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Symbolizes:
Charity
and the
Yoke of Christ
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The Chasuble, also matching the liturgical color, is is the long, often ornate, sleeveless poncho-like garment worn by priests and bishops over the alb and stole during the sacrifice of the Mass.
As he puts on the chasuble, he prays:
O Lord, Who said: My yoke is easy and My burden light: grant that I may bear it well and follow after You with thanksgiving. Amen.
Domine, qui dixisti: Iugum meam suave est et onus meum leve: fac, ut istud portare sic valeam, quod consequar tuam gratiam. Amen. (Latin)
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Symbolizes:
Chastity
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The Cincture, a symbol of chastity, ties the alb at the waist.
As he ties the cincture, he prays:
Gird me, O Lord, with the girdle of purity, and extinguish in me all evil desires, that the virtue of chastity may abide in me.
Praecinge me, Domine, cingulo puritatis, et exstingue in lumbis meis humorem libidinis; ut maneat in me virtus continentia et
castitatis. (Latin)
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The Dalmatia is an outer, sleeved tunic that came to Rome from Dalmatia, hence it’s name. It is worn in place of the Chasuble, by the deacon and subdeacon during Solemn Mass. It symbolizes the joy and happiness that are the fruit of dedication to God. |
Symbolizes:
the acceptance
of suffering
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The Maniple is a narrow strip of linen, of the same color as the chasuble, suspended from the left forearm so that if falls equally on both sides of the arm. It is to remind the cleric that he must patiently bear the cares and sorrows of this earthly life in the service of God and for Heavenly reward.
As he puts on the maniple, he kisses the Cross on the maniple and prays:
Grant, O Lord, that I may so bear the maniple of weeping and sorrow, that I may receive the reward for my labors with rejoicing.
Merear, Domine, portare manipulum fletus et doloris; ut cum exsultatione recipiam mercedem
laboris. (Latin)
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Symbolizes:
the clerical office,
immortality,
and the
Yoke of Christ
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The Stole, matching the liturgical color, is a long, scarf-like vestment worn over the alb and under the dalmatic/chasuble. The priest wears the stole around his neck so that it hangs equally down his chest in front or forms an X-shaped Cross; the deacon wears his stole over the left shoulder and tied at his right side; the Bishop wears his stole so that it hangs equally down his chest.
As he puts on the stole, the priest kisses the Cross on the stole and prays:
Restore unto me, O Lord, the stole of immortality, which was lost through the guilt of our first parents: and, although I am unworthy to approach Your sacred Mysteries, nevertheless grant unto me eternal joy.
Redde mihi, Domine, stolam immortalitatis, quam perdidi in praevaricatione primi parentis: et, quamvis indignus accedo ad tuum sacrum mysterium, merear tamen gaudium
sempiternum. (Latin)
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