The Lord is the portion of my inheritance, and of my cup; Thou shalt restore my inheritance to me
This was the verse that the new cleric used to repeat after the Bishop while his hair was being ceremonially snipped. In the Directorium Sacerdotale, Valuy suggests that the priest should kiss his cassock each morning before he puts it on, and recite that verse. Well it would be a good reminder for the cleric to value and cherish the ecclesiastical state.
I sometimes wish that I had been able to receive the minor orders. (They were substituted with "lay ministries" by Pope Paul VI in Ministeria Quaedam but are rarely given to lay people.) Nevertheless, the idea of the Lord being the cleric's portion is a good one to ponder from time to time.Nowadays, the passing of the years have given me a natural tonsure which is shown particularly when I have a part in those photos of the Classical Rite of Mass that are such a staple of the Catholic blogosphere.
See this link for a Brief history of the cassock and tonsure
8 comments:
Do you say the traditional prayers that are said as each garment is put on before Mass? Until very recently we had a copy posted, in Latin, on the door to the cabinet which holds the chalices. I have to say it irritated me to see it gone!
Yes, I always say them, followed by the prayer of intention before Mass. These prayers help me to be recollected before Mass, remind me of what I am doing, and create a spirit of prayer in the sacristy immediately before Mass.
These prayers are coming back in a big way - many younger priests say them and they make new cards to pin up in their sacristies.
Very glad to hear it! I love things like that. There's something nice about those little rituals that keeps a continuity with all those who have gone on before you.
Bishop Elliott of Australia will be glad to know that, in some places at least, these prayers are making a comeback. The talking and laughing in our sacristy before Mass is quite distracting.
Father, I had always thought that tonsures were created when the apostles started to go bald and it sort of was passed down as "Tradition"... =)
Re the tonsure! well my husband has hardly any hair & quite a few Oratorians are getting a bit of a tonsure. Perhaps you're all the more holy for it! lol
Gemoftheocean, I can understand regarding the removal of the prayers. When our priest had the sign outside our little church repainted what had been called Holy Mass became Mass. I was surprised how many commented. Apologies for the anonymous, it's Martin in the U.K.
I thought we had received the minor orders, Fr Tim, per saltem at our Diaconate ordination. Though I certainly should have liked to have had them individually conferred. It's especially strange that ministries were introduced to make them available in parishes, and not simply stepping stones on the road to priesthood. Nowadays, where do we find the ministries? Only in the seminaries. Ludicrous!
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