Use of the Maniple and Biretta
Date: December 24, 2023
Author: Fr. Edward McNamara, LC
Question: A seminarian told me that the use of the maniple and biretta was never abrogated; therefore, both can be used at the Novus Ordo Mass. Is this true? If so, at what parts of Mass should the priest (and deacon) wear the biretta and maniple? If the use of the biretta and maniple is not allowed, why? The same seminarian told me that, in the Novus Ordo, daily Masses are like Low Masses, implying that Sunday Mass is like a High Mass. He said because the daily Mass was like a Low Mass, we didn't need to use the cross in the entrance procession. Is it true that the processional cross can be omitted if there is a lesser degree of solemnity? Is the entrance procession optional? I ask because the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), No. 119, seems to suggest the possibility of no entrance procession. As an altar server, I wear an alb. The GIRM says that if the alb does not cover the ordinary clothing at the neck, an amice should be used (No. 336). When I put on the alb, only a small amount of my collared shirt shows at the neck. Must I wear an amice? Also, if the priest is wearing his clerical collar under his alb, should he cover it with the amice? -- D.A., Mesa, Arizona
Answer: Our reader has offered many detailed questions. I group these together as they refer primarily to vestments and the entrance procession.
The first theme refers to the continued use of earlier vestments. It might be true that certain vestments were never formally abrogated, but this does not necessarily mean that they may be freely used. There is a general canonical principle which holds that when the legislator completely reorders and replaces a body of legislation the earlier legislation is practically abrogated even when not done so in detail.
In the case of the maniple, its use was first rendered optional in 1967, and since 1970 the list of vestments used at Mass in the Roman Missal does not mention the maniple. There is no need for the Holy See to issue a decree abolishing every detail. If a legislator enumerates the legal vesture to be worn, logically any further additions would not fall under the canon.
Therefore, for the current Roman rite, the legislation as now found in the Roman Missal, the Ceremonial of Bishops, and the specific norms for other sacramental rites and ceremonies, constitute the law. Any vestments no longer mentioned in these documents should not be used unless they are the subject of some immemorial custom or privilege granted to specific communities or individuals.
The reasons for abandoning the use of specific vestments were articulated during the reform process. While the reasoning behind every decision was not always made clear, in general they obeyed the overall conciliar principles that called for a simplification of the rites. It is probable that these particular vestments, whose symbolic meaning was not always clear, were considered superfluous.
With respect to the amice, GIRM 336 says:
“336. The sacred garment common to all ordained and instituted ministers of any rank is the alb, to be tied at the waist with a cincture unless it is made so as to fit even without such. Before the alb is put on, should this not completely cover the ordinary clothing at the neck, an amice should be used. The alb may not be exchanged for a surplice, not even over a cassock, on occasions when a chasuble or dalmatic is to be worn or when, according to the norms, only a stole is worn without a chasuble or dalmatic.”
I think the sense is clear: “should this not completely cover the ordinary clothing at the neck.” If the alb does not cover a shirt, lay or clerical, the amice should be used. Some discretion may be used if a white shirt is almost invisible, but it should not stand out in any way. A practical alternative could be to fold the collar down at the neck when wearing the alb so that it is not visible.
With respect to the entrance procession GIRM 119 says:
“119. In the sacristy, according to the various forms of celebration, there should be prepared the sacred vestments (cf. nos. 337-341) for the Priest, the Deacon, and other ministers:
“a) for the Priest: the alb, the stole, and the chasuble;
“b) for the Deacon: the alb, the stole, and the dalmatic; the latter may be omitted, however, either out of necessity or on account of a lesser degree of solemnity;
“c) for the other ministers: albs or other lawfully approved attire.[95]
“All who wear an alb should use a cincture and an amice unless, due to the form of the alb, they are not needed.
“When the Entrance takes place with a procession, the following are also to be prepared: a Book of the Gospels; on Sundays and festive days, a thurible and incense boat, if incense is being used; the cross to be carried in procession; and candlesticks with lighted candles.”
With the expressions: “according to the various forms of celebration” and: “When the Entrance takes place with a procession,” it is clear that the full entrance procession is not always required. Indeed, in myriad parishes and chapels across the world, daily Masses begin with the priest leaving the sacristy and proceeding to the altar in a procession of one.
The GIRM describes the proper practice when there is the full complement of ministers and liturgical accoutrements while allowing for the reality that these are not always available.
This citation also answers the question regarding the optional nature of the processional cross if there is less solemnity. However, nothing forbids its daily use.
Finally, comparing daily Mass to low Mass and Sunday Mass to High Mass is a bit like comparing chalk and cheese. Those are appropriate categories for the 1962 Roman liturgy, as the different forms of Mass are precisely determined by preset regulations.
In the current Roman liturgy the degree of solemnity and the use of the various elements that bestow solemnity are not rigidly determined but can be added in accordance with the possibilities of each community and the nature of the celebration.
Hence, a community may have the possibility of offering a full complement of ministers for all the liturgical ceremonies even for a daily Mass but might lack a qualified choir or, quite the reverse, they may be able to sing a solemn Mass in Latin but not have sufficient servers for all the liturgical actions.
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