Introduction

 
On the following pages you will see vestments of different shapes and colours. This page explains the significance of the colours and symbolism of the vestments. Most vestments are of traditional design and decoration. Some of the decoration is also symbolic. At St Barnabas we give some sets of vestments nicknames and you may find those names on or by the vestments concerned.

Colours

The colours of vestments indicate either the season or time of Church's year, or the day or type of celebration.
 

Green - Ordinary time, the periods following the Sunday after Epiphany and after Pentecost, the days for which there is no particular feast or other celebration to be observed.
 

Violet or Purple - The season of Lent, the penitential period before Easter, and the season of Advent, the period of preparation before Christmas. It is also the colour of the stole used by the priest in confession and anointing of the sick. The colour is also used as an alternative for black at funerals and Masses for the Dead.

White - Easter-time and Christmas-time, most feasts of Our Lord, feasts of the Holy Trinity, feasts of the Virgin Mary, and feasts of saints who are not martyrs. The colour of the priest's stole for baptisms and weddings outside Mass.
 

Red - Palm Sunday, Pentecost, Good Friday, feasts of the Holy Cross, Apostles, Evangelists, Saints who are martyrs, and of the Holy Spirit.
 

Rose Pink- The third Sunday in Advent (Gaudete Sunday) and the fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare Sunday)
 

Black - All Souls Day and Masses for the Dead and funerals
 

Gold - Used in place of white for greater solemnity.
 

Blue - Feasts of the Virgin Mary in place of white. 

Vestments

The vestments, up to the chasuble, are described below in the same order as they are put on when the priest vests for Mass.
 

Amice This is a rectangular piece of linen with two linen tapes at the upper corners. It is worn underneath the alb around the neck and over the shoulders so as to cover the priest's collar. The word "amice" comes from the Latin "amicire", meaning to cover. The heads of criminals condemned to death were covered with linen. It is known as the "Helmet of Salvation" It was Christ's suffering that is the salvation of mankind.
 

Alb This is a white robe reaching to the ground. The word "alb" comes from the Latin "album" meaning white. It covers the priest's cassock or other clothes. It is derived from a Roman garment. White is the symbol of purity and when the priest puts it on he prays that his heart may be cleansed.
 

Cincture This is a rope-like girdle, with tassels at each end. It symbolises chastity. The priest wears this like a belt around the alb. It is white but can be the same colour as the other vestments.
 

Stole The scarf-like garment seen most often and is worn by a priest over a cotta, surplice or alb, and is worn under a chasuble at Mass and under the cope. It has a cross in the middle and usually has a cross each end. Its origin is disputed but it is claimed to have derived from a garment worn by Roman magistrates. It is a sign of priestly office. It is a symbol of priestly justice, humility and immortality. A deacon's stole (see the High Mass sets) is worn over the left shoulder and crossed to hang down on the right.

Chasuble The outer vestment worn by a priest at Mass. There are two styles. The Gothic style is fuller and covers the priest's arms. The Latin style is a modified version developed for warm countries as it is a little cooler to wear. It originates from a simple Roman outer garment. It symbolises the yoke or burden of Christ

Dalmatic & Tunicle These are worn by the Deacon and Sub-Deacon and at High Mass and other solemn celebrations. They look very similar. The Deacon's Dalmatic sometimes has two vertical stripes back and front. Originally made of white Dalmatian wool, hence the name, it was a symbol of joy and thanksgiving. The Tunicle is derived from the Dalmatic, sometimes having one vertical stripe.

 
Maniple This no longer worn. It used to be worn until the 1960's by the priest and deacon at Mass over the left forearm. It was originally a handkerchief and symbolises acceptance of suffering.

 
Biretta A cap with three raised wings (called horns!). A priest's biretta is black; a Bishop's is purple.
 

Cotta & Surplice The cotta is a shorter version of the surplice. The surplice seems to have appeared as choir dress of monks in the ninth century and its use spread. The shorter cotta developed in Italy.
 

Cope This is a cloak, derived from an outer garment with a hood. The hood, where it still appears, is now purely decorative, sometimes richly embroidered. It is fastened by a clasp, sometimes of decorated metal. It is not worn for the celebration of Mass but for other services. It is worn by any cleric.

Our vestments were displayed throughout the church, please click on the area you would like to see.