Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-10-20
THE BISHOPS VESTMENTs.
Description and Explanation of His Dress
N fhia GnrnnnnY.

THE BISHOPS VESTMENTs.
Description and Explanation of His Dress
in this Ceremony.
The cassock or close-ftting garment
reaching to the heels with which the Bishop
is clad when entering the church IS the
distinctive dress of clerics. The cassock
of simple priests is black; that Of bishops
and other prclates purple; that Of cardl-
nails red: that of the Pope white. Origl-
nally the cassock was the ordinary dress
common TO laymen. It's use was continued
by the clergy, while lay people, after the
immigration Of the northern nations. be-
gan to wear shorter clothes, ana thus 1t
became associated with the ecclesiastical
State The Council of Trent requires all
clerics if in sacred orders, or If they hold n
benefice, TO wear the clerical dress, al
though in non-Catholc countries clcrics
are excused from doing 80 III public on ac-
count of the inconvenience likely to arise.
THE USUAL STATE DRESS.
The mOzzctid or cape Is o short vestment
quite open in front, which can, however,
be buttoned over the breast, covering the
shoulders and with little mood behind. 1t
is worn bv the Pope. by cardinals. bishops,
abbOts, and others, who do 80 by custom
or Papal privilege. II IS the usual state
dress of the Bishop when he is not saying
Mass or performing other sacred functions.
The r0chd is a vestment Of linen lifting
closely. with close sleeves reaching TO the
hands. proper 10 bishops and abbOts. The
length and clOseness of the sleeves distin-
guish it from the surplice.
The mOZzetta and uncovered rOchet are
signs Of plenary jurisdiction. Hence
bishop may wear his rOchet uncovered
xr;4 Ffnppln
churches Of religions who are exempt but
not beyond its limits.
ALB AND COPE.
The cope is a wide vestment OF silk. &C.,
reaching nearly to the feet. open IN front,
and fastened by clasp and with a hood at
the back. II is used by the celebrant III
professions, benedictions. &C.. but never
in the celebration Of Mass. Mention Is
made of the cope in the ancient Ordo R0-
m0nus for the conservation of bishops.
At the beginning of the ceremony the
Bishop-elect takes off the cope and puts on
the alb, a vestment of white linen reaching
from head TO foot, and with sleeves, say
ing, MAKE me white, Oh Lord, and cleanse
me-" &c. IL represents the white robe with
which Christ was clothed in derlsiOn.
The cincture. which he next puts round
his waist and fastens, represents the cords
which bound Christ during his passion.
THE TUSIC, sc.
He then puts on the tunic which Is the
vestment proper to sub-deacons. IL IL
made of silk and fits closely over the alb.
Over this he puts the dalmatia, which -
the vestment proper TO deacOns, and re-
sembles very much the tunic. 1t differs
from the tunic only in being somewhat
larger. The word is derived from Dalma-
Tia. aud was long Enlargement OF white
Dalmatian wool, corresponding to the
Roman tunic. Various mystical meanings
have been attached 10 1t. When the arms
are stretched il presents the figure oi
cross. The width of the sleeves ~ said 70
typify charity; the two stripes, which
were originally purple, were supposed TO
symbolic the blood Of Jesus Christ she'd
for Jews and Gentlles.
Over all these is put the chdStble or chief
garment of the priest when celebrating
mass 1t is worn outside the other vest
ments. Among the Greeks It still retains
its ancient form Of a large round mantle
Among the Latins It's size has been cur
tailed, but il still covers the priest on both
sides and descends nearly TO the knees.
Various symbolical signitcatlons nave been
given TO this vestment, but the earliest
writers make it 4 figure of charity, which,
as Rabanus Naurus says us eminent
above all the other virtues" It's form de-
notes the seamless coat of Christ. The
reason the Bishop wears these yestments
of his inferior ministers Is to show that his
sacred character embraces all their powers
in an eminent degree.
THE STAFF AND MITRE.
The n,ire is a head-dress worn by bish-
ops. abbOts. and III certain cases by other
distinguished ecclesiastics. By its pecu-
liar shape il signifies the clOyen tongues of
t;,.a hot i ha on
Pentecost day. The Bishop slways uses
the mitre when he carries the pastoral stat.
This staff or crOsie' is given to the Bishop
at his consideration as the symbol OF the
authority with which he rules his flock.
IL IS said that such a staff is first mention
toned by Isidore OF Seville A. ID. $3.50. 1t
is curved at the top, straight in the mid
die, and pointed at the lower end. The
Pope alone, of all bishops actually ruling
a diocese, does not use pastoral stall.
According to some this Is because the cur
Nature in the staff is a token Of limited
jurisdiction.
THE CROSS WORN on THT BREAST.
The Pectordl Cross is a small cross of
precious metal worn on the breast by
bishops and abbots rs q mark OF their Of
fee. Innocent III. j. the first author who
clearly mentions the pectoral cross as one
of the episcopal insignia. Each contains.
among other relics, an authenticated parti-
Gle Of the true cross. As this precious wood
is becoming very scarce Pope Leo Kill,
within the last few months, has issued a
decree requiring every bishop to leave the
relic in his possession to his successor IN
the episcopate.
EPISCOPAL RING.
The ring is also one of the episcopal in
sigma. Ii was originally used as o signet !
for sealing official documents. This Is still
the custom observed by the Pope, as all his
encyclicals, briefs, &C., bear the seal ofthe
Fisherman. Hence the ring has become
the symbol of authority in the Church.
Presentation to the Bishop-Elect.
Bishop Van de Vyver. whose parents are
dead, is the next 10 the youngest of ten chill
dren, all of whom are living and one of whom
is priest. These from their fer-off home in
Belgium have sent him his Pectoral cross
and chain, and would have sent him his
vestments, but that they knew TO do so
would deny his friends in Richmond plea
sure.
The vestments which were presented to
the BishOp-elect by the Catholics of this
city are the handsomest ever seen in Rich
mond. They are made of heavy white
satin and deliberately embroidered in the
purest gold, imported for the purpose. Tho
design throughout is Gothic.
There are three sets, and they are dupli-
Gates of those made for Archbishop Ryan,
of Philadelphia, with the exception of the
border, which is holder and more in keep
ing with the general design. The commit
tee wrote for the handsomest vestments
that could be procured, and the above were
selected from a set of two samples for
warded. The cost of them was $500.
WAX cANDLEs-FkowERs
For the first time IN the annals of Rich
mond wax-lights only will be used upon
every altar Of the Cathedral.
There will be a magnificent display OF
flowers. The altar of the b. Nj. V. viii
have only white and gold-tinted roses-saf-
irons. pearls, and husband ferns.