Today in my parish, we had the Good Friday Liturgy in the ordinary form using red vestments as prescribed. I have two deacons and therefore we used our red High Mass vestments: a magnificent 19th century French set which are ideal for Pentecost or for Confirmations - or indeed for a solemn celebration of the feast of a martyr. They are not really suited to Good Friday.
I see that the Holy Father had the same dilemma today. Mgr Marini has dug out a wonderful set of red Roman vestments and it is great to see Roman vestments being used more and more for papal liturgies - but surely these ones would be better suited for a more joyful occasion?
I agree with Shawn's suggestion that black should, at the very least, be restored as an option for Good Friday.
7 comments:
I must confess that, on occasion, I go to the SSPX church where I live. I love singing the Gregorian chant and my ancient Liber Usualis comes in handy. Yesterday (today is Holy Saturday) I went there and the priest, of course, used black vestments. This included a beautiful black cope for the solemn procession of the Blessed Sacrament from the Altar of Repose.
Oh, and he, of course, wore a black maniple, but it was Fr. Ray Blake who was talking about where they have gone!
Have you ever read "The Stripping of the Altars" By Eamon Duffy? In itt he tells of the priest Sir Christopher Trychay saving up to buy black material for black vestments.
JARay
Where can I get a copy of the Tenebrae service??
I also wish there would be options for black vestments.
Sr. MJ
I also agree that black vestments should be allowed in the ordinary form. Of course, the dilemma could be removed if the Holy Father and more parish priests were to use the Extraordinary form for Holy Week ;-) God bless you Father.
Fr Tim,
You might be interested in this quote from an anonymous
"There is still the problem (not very important) of the colour for Good Friday - the old black was merely the extreme darkening of red. Red is the true colour of this ceremony, but not bright red! - A dark and sober red is indicated."
I don't know if the source can be trusted.
However, some years ago I attended a lecture given by Julian Litten, a curator at the V&A, who was involved in the "requiem mass" and burial of an unknown sailor from the Mary Rose at Portsmouth's Anglican cathedral in 1984. Litten explained that "black vestments" in the 16th century England were not a true black colour, but mulberry (dark red). Apparently he had to import mulberry vestments from Birmingham, Alabama, for this occasion.
We attended the Good Friday service, and Easter Vigil in the EF at Mouldsworth, in Cheshire, celebrated by one of the ICKSP Priests, and I was struck by the beauty and solemnity of it all. He used the black vestments on Good Friday, which seemed so appropriate, and also I was intrigued by the way he changed to different coloured vestments during the ceremonies. We really do need more of these occasions to become familiar with the old ceremonies.
I know this blog is about the Roman rite, but I did want to say that in the Byzantine rite the color for Good Friday is black and that my parish has a beautiful set of black vestments with the embroidery on them in silver.
Susan Peterson
Always happy to hear from the Byzantine rite, Susan. Thanks for your comment.
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