Course 4, Chapter 13: Christianity visible. — Ornaments of Bishops. — Color of the Ornaments

1. What are the ornaments of bishops when they officiate solemnly?

They are the stockings, the slippers, the pectoral cross, the small tunic, the dalmatic, the gloves, the ring, the mitre, the crosier, the gremial, and if he be an archbishop, the pallium.

2. What is the origin of the stockings and slippers?

At The stockings and slippers which the bishop puts on in the church were a mark of distinction worn by the priests and senators of Rome. For this reason they are worn by bishops, who cannot use them except whilst celebrating the holy mysteries.

3. What do they signify?

They signify that the bishops,«\re the successors

358 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

of the apostles; those great missionaries who traversed the world to preach the gospel. • Q. What is the pectoral cross?

A . The pectoral cross is a cross which the bishops wear on their breast; it recalls to mind the custom of the first Christians, who always wore a cross suspended from the neck.

4. What are the small tunic and dalmatic?

The small tunic and dalmatic are the two ornaments peculiar to the sub-deacon and deacon. The bishop wears them to show that he is clothed with the plenitude of the priesthood.

5. What do the gloves signify?

The gloves signify the blessings he asks of God, and the purity with which he approaches the altar.

6. What is the ring?

The ring signifies the alliance which the bishop contracts with his church in his consecration.

7. What is the mitre?

The mitre is an ornament, the origin of which dates back to the ancient law, and signifies the royalty of the priesthood; the two pieces which hang down on the shoulders signify the Old and New Testament; with both of which the bishop must be perfectly conversant.

8. What is the crosier?

The crosier is the bishop's sceptre; that is, jiis shepherd's crook; and reminds him that he must watch over all his flock.

9. What is the gremial?

The gremial is a piece of silk placed on the J:nees of the bishop when he sits during mass, to prevent the soiling of the vestments.

10. What is the pallium?

A The pallium is an ornament made of the wool of a white lamb, and marked with small black crosses; it signifies the charity and innocence which must charac terise a pastor.

Q Why does the church use different colors in her vestments?

A . The church makes use of different colors in her vestments to excite in us more easily the dispositions required by the festival we celebrate; white reminds us of innocence; red, of charity; purple, of penance and hope; green, of patience and faith; black recalls the thought of our last end.

11. What are the ornaments of the altar?

.4. The ornaments of the altar are three cloths, used through respect, to cover it; the candlesticks, tabernacle and cross.