Post intelligent and civil comments. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the NLM
I have been wearing black vestments on All Soul's day for several years and also for funerals, all in the Ordinary Rite. It has always been well received by the people.
Next year, when All Souls falls on a Sunday, may black vestments still be used at RR-OF Masses? (And will parishes where both the OF and the EF are celebrated keep both days?)
As an aside, I, and several friends, found the caption for the photograph of Mass at the Church of the Resurrection to be hysterically funny, although I'm sure that this was not intended.
I have black vestments, acquired recently, not yet used; I will use them on All Souls.
In time, I hope to use them at funerals. I plan on having periodic Masses for the dead, and using them then; we'll see what this does.
When black was discouraged, rather than abrogated, the reason given was that purple offered a greater sense of resurrection; quite quickly purple was discarded as an option in favour of white and now white has become ubiquitous. Many parish priests even discourage purple. From the start I have always considered these changes to be pastorally wrong. Black is a colour that coincides with grief and unhappiness and, psychologically, helps people to be reconciled with death. To try and drain death of grief for anodyne reasons does little to help people face the reality of loss. In the past the silver and gold braids and embroidery were powerful enough symbols of hope and resurrection. In private Masses I always wear black vestments and at funerals where the family has requested it. At normal funerals I always wear purple as I cannot bring myself to wear white. This may appear perverse but the loss of gravity achieved by using white is of little help to mourners on a general basis and robs the Requiem Mass and funeral rites of pastoral reality. When I was based at Stonyhurst I remember wearing black at a Requiem for Cardinal Hume celebrated on the day of his death and the impact it had on the boys present was profound. Likewise at the annual Mass of Requiem at the school war memorial on 11 November. I wish so many did not buy into the modern lack of reality about death and try to turn it into an act of rejoicing rather than mourning. The stark reality of death is replaced by schmaltz. For the same reason I wish the Dies Irae was also restored on a normal basis. There are few sequencies more moving and composing than hearing it sung to plainchant.
I always wear black for All Souls, for Armistice Day and for the annual commemoration of previous parish priests and I wore it for a funeral Mass for the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret.
One only has to do it once for it to become "the thing Father does" and for it to be quite acceptable, no-one has ever objected. The only comment I have ever had was a young man who was in another parish on All Souls and was a little surprised that the priest only wore purple.
It's always amusing to see the family of the deceased rent black limos for funerals, yet the clergy would wear white.
On All Souls Day falling on a Sunday, it is always transfered to Monday the 3rd in such a year, as the use of black vestments and any type of Requiem Mass is 100% prohibited, without exception, when speaking of Sundays and the traditional Latin Mass.
Does anyone know the history of black vestments?
When did they come into use, were they used by the priestly class in the Old Covenant,etc.?
Just curious.
God bless you.
I always wear black on All Souls Day, and usually for funerals and other Masses for the Dead. As I said on another occasion, no one seems to have a problem with it except some of the clergy.
A few years ago, I was in the sacristy preparing for a funeral Mass. One of our permanent deacons came in and asked if he could assist me, since he was a close friend of the deceased's family. "Sure, no problem," I replied. I showed him the Gospel passage to read. A few minutes later, I donned my black chasuble and handed him a recently acquired black dalmatic. I might as well have handed him a hula skirt. His face blanched, and he told me, "I gotta tell you, Father, I have a real problem with this," and proceded to inform me that, since Vatican II, we're a "Resurrection people," yada yada yada. I told him the choice was his: either wear what I gave him and assist me at Mass, or join the family in the pews. He chose the latter. Talk about rigid! I mean, if I show up to concelebrate a funeral Mass and the celebrant is (predictably) in white, I hold my tongue and put on a white stole, much as I don't like it. The double standard irks me to no end.
May I suggest the following:
http://wwgb.seminaire-econe.com/...oriam/
ph073.jpg
On All Souls Day falling on a Sunday, it is always transfered to Monday the 3rd in such a year, as the use of black vestments and any type of Requiem Mass is 100% prohibited, without exception, when speaking of Sundays and the traditional Latin Mass.
Right, but not when speaking of the Ordinary Form, which keeps All Souls on the Sunday. Or am I mistaken?
And the Requiem Mass was not prohibited on Sundays always and everywhere. England has had an indult to do this for Remembrance Sunday since the Great War.
Lukacs,
I'd just rather remove the photo in question since it is detracting us from the primary focus, which was simply about the vestments and unbleached candles in that photo.
As I mentioned in a comment on a previous post, black vestments for celebrant, concelebrants and deacons will be used for All Souls' here in Blackfriars Oxford, according to an on-going custom.
I would also advocate the use of unbleached candles which really add to the sombre-ness of the day.
And of course, this is one occasion when we sing the propers of the Requiem Mass according to Dominican chant - somewhat different from the Roman chant.
Oh, I forgot to add that on 2 November each year, the brothers don their black Dominican cappas (cloaks) and keep them on until Easter, so this really adds to the solemnity of All Souls' too!
Something that I never understood is why if black is the color of mourning, what role does it have in the liturgy? As you said, the liturgy isn't about consoling people and giving them an oppurtunity to grieve. It's about facing the reality of original sin and offering prayers for the suffering soul. Doesn't that mean purple is a better color, since it's associated with sin and penance?
GIRM 346.
"....White may be used in Masses for the Dead where appropriate. ....
Violet or purple ...may also be worn in Offices and Masses for the Dead. ..
Black may be used, where it is the practice, in Masses for the Dead."
It seems from this that the use of black may be retained, i.e. "where it is the practice". Thus, I don't find it at all within the remit of GIRM to encouarge its reintroduction, or taking initiatives to reintroduce it.
Michael:
The use of black is an honest recognition of human grief, which is not un-Christian so long as it does not become despair by forgetting the hope of resurrection and new life.
Michael,
I didn't actually say that. What I noted is that it isn't merely a "placebo" for psychological help.
It does have an aspect of helping us to grieve and so on, but the requiem mass is not like a memorial service; it also offers supernatural graces and benefits, for the dead and everyone else.
From Europe,
Black may be used. It has been a long-standing practice. Customs don't fall aside that quickly and it certainly is a custom within the West.
Also, here is what the official edition of the 2002 US GIRM says:
"Besides violet, white or black vestments may be worn at funeral services and at other Offices and Masses for the Dead in the Dioceses of the United States of America."
There you can see custom isn't even mentioned.
All said, it is a weak argument I think, and not really viewing the matter in the light of our tradition (and our custom) to suggest it is no longer that in the West. That would be a fairly short-sighted view of our tradition and of custom.
Forgive me if I am wrong, Fra Lorenzo, but the Dominican practice historically was to wear the cappa from Holy Cross to Easter (the ancient monastic fast period). It would seem that the use from Nov. 2 at Oxford is a more recent custom.
At the Angelicum where I now am resident, the cappas appear on Nov. 15 which is nothing more than the date when the Italians turn on the centralized heating. I suspect the origins of cappa wearing are something like that: when it gets cold, put it on.
Finally, when the GRIM was written (not the current but the original) is the period for which you should ask "was black customary." When that text was written it was, at least in the U.S. So strictly speaking, there is nothing wrong with "re"-introducing a custom that was such when the document was written.
Why do some people insist that options be forbidden when they are not? In dubiis libertas; in omnibus caritas.
Durandus, writing in the 13th century, names black as the liturgical color used for all penitential occasions, but notes that at Rome and some other places, Purple is used in its place.
I was ordained four years ago. On my first All Souls Day I used violet vestments. The pastor of the parish I was saying the Mass in took me to one side after noticing that I was not using white vestments and asked for an explanation, I told him that I would not use white vestment for a Requiem, and that decision was a point of principle. He asked me to compromise for the sake of solidarity with the rest of the clergy. I informed him that the use of violet vestments by me was the compromise and that I would never again compromise on this principle again. I have never used anything but black vestments since for Requiems Masses. The priests have all gotten used to it, and so have the people and what is most important; the sense of continuity within the rite has been in part restored in my little corner of the Church. Next the Maniple.
I have used black for All Souls Day since ordination in 1999.
I usually wear violet or black for funerals, and I've never heard a word of complaint from a family member; nor have I ever been questioned about my choice of color.
I realize that white is (unfortunately) a legitimate option for All Souls Day. I think it is very confusing to the people, especially since it is immediately preceded by the Solemnity of All Saints. In this age of instant canonizations at funerals (and the consequent implicit denial of Purgatory), people have a hard enough time distinguishing between the two days, All Saints and All Souls; using white on both occasions only exacerbates the problem.
To my brother priests who may be hesitant to use black for All Souls Day and other Masses for the Dead, I say: Be not afraid!
Fr. WTC was asked to wear white for the sake of "solidarity" with the other priests. I've heard that line before, too. My response: "Fine. Then let's all agree, for the sake of solidarity, to use only the Roman Canon, or the first form of the Penitential Rite, or incense at our Sunday Masses, etc., etc." The point is usually well taken. The fact that we are the Church of Options can be used to tradition's advantage.
Coming here from a "progressive" viewpoint, I would interpret the "may be used" to indicate only that it should not be used in cultures (of which there are many) where black has no association with mourning. That would not apply to most people in the US (I don't know about various Native American cultures in that regard).
Rather than to require that the European-influenced custom has been maintained continuously.
It is good to hear of the many priests who are already using black for All Souls and Requiems. Keep this coming in.
Also, we'd love to hear from clergy who maybe haven't done this before but will do so (at least for All Souls, if not also funeals) this year.
We would also love to hear form clergy who honestly hadn't really thought about it, but now are.
Finally, we'd like to hear from those priests considering the idea, but not yet decided.
I borrowed some black vestments for the first time last year, the reaction was mixed, some loved it others informed by a more protestant take on things did not. Wearing black vestments can become a wonderful opportunity to educate the faithful in the theology of death and intercession for the dead. I have since gotten my own set and plan to use from here on out.
I'm sorry to say that I do not own any black vestments and today I looked in the sacristy of the parish I live at and there were none there. My brothers, Frs. Tom and Tim will give me grief for not already having my set. I'll wear purple this year and black next year on All Soul's Day.
As a layman and product of Second Vatican, all of the Masses of Christian Burial I've assisted in have all employed white vestments. The first time I remember seeing purple vestments at a funeral Mass were from pictures from Robert Kennedy's funeral and Princess Grace of Monaco's funeral.
As a younger person, I read in a sacristy manual that black "may be - but very rarely is - used in Masses for the Dead."
It seems to me that the use of black vestments at requiems - and the use of purple - points to something very basic and natural in the human condition, namely, that it is human to grieve, that it is normal, natural, and psychologically healthy to have sorrow.
Fr. Ethan,
Perhaps if you were to note the general region you are in, one of our readers (priestly or otherwise) might be able to help you -- if you're comfortable doing that that is.
Last year, the Schola I sing in assisted at an All Soul's Mass (OrdFm) and the priest wore black. We processed in behind the cross (yeah, I now know that's only meant for clergy and seminarians) chanting Parce Domine with Basses a fifth down. We were the choir for the whole Mass, with solemn chants, the priest offerred incense, and he gave a wonderful homily. He explained how a young girl, on her death bed, requested these vestments be made for him, and she asked him to wear black for her funeral. Deep down, she knew that is what made sense for the occasion.
I get nauseated when I hear people at funerals say, "He/She is in a better place." It is a total injustice to a Catholic soul who is counting on their relatives' prayers to shorten their stay in Purgatory.......or did Vatican II empty all the souls out of Purgatory forver?
Shawn you're right on target: white is often used under the pretense (spoken or assumed) that it makes the people feel better. This only betrays a spirit of the liturgy that is turned in on the people instead of turned out to God. The funeral Mass is not so that the people who come can feel good but to commend the soul of the departed, who needs our prayers, to God. I hope that priests will bring out this point in their catechesis. Otherwise their "imposition" of black vestments will only seem like "Father's thing" to the people, instead of something that is organic to the liturgy.
There is an aspect of comfort, but that is moreso found in acknowledgement of the reality of the sadness and grief of a time like a funeral.
But indeed, it is more than just about that.
Adveniat Regnum Tuum!
Regarding black on a Sunday, in the Ordinary Form All Souls' is always celebrated on Nov.2, even when this is a Sunday. That being the case, it would seem that black is permitted, as it would be on any other All Souls'. The last time this happened, my pastor made use of black vestments, with gold orphreys, for the Sunday Mass. (This led some of the children of the parish to exclaim that Father was wearing "Halloween colors"--orange and black!)
fr Augustine: I'm sure you're right about the use of the cappa Ordinis in choir, (although I have yet to check Jandel's Ceremonial), but I believe that the current practice has been going on in our Province for quite some time...
Shawn,
Can I ask why my comment asking why that picture was not Catholic was deleted, and why the picture itself no longer appears on the post?
Was it just a distracting tangent that you didn't want to get in to? I understand, if that's the case; I'm just curious
My mother's funeral was in August of 2003. I had a beautiful set of black vestments but both the parish priest and another priest who I had known for over 50 years refused to wear them. I was told they denied the resurrection. I asked how this could be possible since we had known nothing but black for Requiems when we were young and the general rubrics of the Novus Ordo allowed them now but it was useless. I then tried for violet and got the same response. Another friend of mine was in charge of the music which I had chosen with him. It was good music and I can assure you it was kept secret from the priests until the Mass had started.
The insistence upon white vestments is insensitive. Of course I believe in the Resurection of the dead but that day was Good Friday for me. By wearing black, the Church shares in the grief of the mourners.
What perhaps made things worse was that I was aware that rubrically those priests didn't have a leg to stand on and were just acting out of their own prejudice.
Funerals should be different. They should not be banal. What could be more dramatic than the passing of a human being from this life to the next?
RichR
Purgatory is indeed a better place than this world. The only way out is up; it is the antechamber to heaven.
I was arranging a Requiem for an Italian family at a large London church recently. I was a little surprised when the widow, who had not spoken up to this point in the discussions, said that she would like the priest to wear black. I expressed some surprise and pointed out that whilst I would personally be in favour, the use of black is not customary at our church and furthermore, that purple or white were usual. She fixed me with quite a look and said, 'You're not going to deny me my grief!' A little taken aback, I took the family into the sacristy and got out a set of black vestments. Her next point stuck with me: 'Of course, it's not only the black, it's the gold.' I was very impressed with this observation. Gold brocade is commonly used on vestments, whatever the colour. But can it ever stand out quite so well as it does on black? Does this not, therefore, provide a powerful symbolic catechesis? Not only does there have to be Good (Black) Friday before there can be Easter Sunday, but the black and the gold exist together forming one garment. Thus the Christian looks toward the golden lining, seen in contrast to, shining through the darkness.
I live and work in New Bedford, MA.
Eamon Duffy has an excellent chapter on the modern rite and attitudes towards the dead in his book "Faith of our Fathers" which is a collectionof his essays and addresses. I highly recommend it.
My priest regularly preaches at funerals to the effect that we "used to" wear black at funerals, but now we wear white because we know it's a happy time.
When I pointed out once that that wasn't quite accurate, that the GIRM said.... he basically shouted that he didn't give a #$#!&
You should have heard the rant when I asked if we were going to do anything to prepare to make the Extraordinary Form available to people who rightfully requested it for funerals. We had such a request before Summorum Pontificum was promulgated and he was furious with the family for even asking. When I offered to at least chant the ordinary, he forbade it, and allowed only the Agus Dei, since he is busy "doing something," and the mourners are shaking hands, so nobody will actually hear it. (Those are actually the reasons he gave.)
I had no idea the hatred for the traditions of the Church ran so deep.
It is very sad.
God bless our priests!
Garrett,
Yes, I felt it was distracting us from the main point of the post and the feedback I am trying to elicit.
Indeed, Fr. Thompson also pointed it out, as did I in my original black vestment post back in November of 2005;
the black gives the aspects of death and mourning;
the gold and silver speaks to the silver-lining of hope in the resurrection.
A little over a year ago I happily inherited the pastorate of a parish where my predecessor had purchased and long been using black vestments for the funeral Masses. I have retained this custom as a default. If a family (or the deceased, in word or documents, before death) requests white, I willingly oblige.
I also wear black on All Souls day, and have worn it before, in a Mass for the dead, on September 11.
Shortly after I arrived, a priest from a neighboring parish (he was also the ft hospital chaplain) concelebrated the funeral of a parishioner (whom he had assisted in the hospital). He made the arrangements with the family and was shocked when I informed him that they would have the option for black! His jaw hit the floor when he arrived at the parish to be told that we would be distributing Holy Communion at the rail - "you actually use that thing?" were his words. That family did opt for white (perhaps under the influence of the chaplain?)
Most families do not request the white and are quite content with the black. There is talk around town, however, about "the peculiar priest in the south end who still uses black vestments."
On of my brother priests (a classmate, in fact) asked me why I did it. I pointed out to him that funerals were a time of mourning and most mourners wear black, so why not the priest? The reality of the resurrection does not entirely eradicate the sense of loss experienced by grieving loved ones, and there is the whole question of prayer, penance, and purgatory.
I think, because I use the black vestments, I am regarded by most as an eccentric (or worse, but then we are all charitable, right?)
Finally, I recall the story I heard, told about a priest's funeral in Chicago. In the days of + Cardinal Bernardin +. There was a visiting priest from Romania or some such place. The clergy were vesting in the sacristy and Father was wearing black vestments. The Cardinal approached with a puzzled look on his face. He had never met this priest before. Father genuflected and proceeded to kiss His Eminence's ring. He introduced himself, and the Cardinal asked him why he was wearing black. To which Father responded (w/Eastern European Accent) "Bekaawws, vee are at a funerel". "But Father," His Eminence replied, "This is a celebration of life." "Liffe?" Father impatiently grabbed the Cardinal's elbow and led him to the doorway from which the casket was visible from the sacristy, "but loook, your Emmeenenze, he is Daid, this man is daid!"
Uneasily, His Eminence wandered away from this peculiar eastern European priest and didn't talk to him the rest of the day!
Fr. Ethan:
I know that Fr. Travassos at Our Lady of Grace in Westport has more than one black chasuble (Gothic style). You may want to ask him if you can borrow one for All Souls Day.
All this nonsense about white vestments because "Vatican II made us a resurrection people" (I thought Our Lord's Resurrection had done that 2000 years ago) misses another important point which I think various people have more or less touched upon without saying it explicitly.
Death is the last enemy to be destroyed, St. Paul teaches us.
Inimica mors.
The natural reaction of grief is a good one, because the way we actually depart this life is NOT the way God intended. It is the consequence, the wages, to quote St. Paul again, of sin. So to mourn a death is perfectly healthy way of facing it, from both a natural and a supernatural point of view. To gloss over it, to pretent that there is no point in grieving, is tantamont to saying that death is good. At best, such a way of proceeding lends itself to a dangerous sort of confusion. However, our grief is not without hope; the texts and (gregorian) music of the various rites connected with death and burial bring this out powerfully: black shot through with gold, as someone said up there somewhere (Fr. Blake I think).
Chorus angelorum te suscipiat;
In paradisum deducant te angeli;
Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine...Te decet hymnus Deus in Sion!
It would be correct, of course, to wear white vestments in those parts of the Orient where white _is_ the funereal color, or for families of such a heritage -- if they wanted it.
The funereal nature of white could of course be made an argument point. Black has solidarity with parishioners and recalls the moist earth in which the seed will grow again, as opposed to the stark sad finality of white -- stuff like that. :)
I will be wearing black on All Souls this year and in the future. Usually wore purple, but now I have a new set of black. Novus Ordo in the morning, and Extraordinary Form in the evening - both with black. Probably will wear the black at funerals. With all due respect, I would never let a family choose my vestments. Even priests have a few rights in liturgy.
A commenter asked about the Tradition of black vestments.
The first traces of a sequence of colours including black are to be found in Jerusalem during the 12th century. At this time, black vestments were noted for use during Advent and Lent and - somewhat oddly to us - for Christmas and Feasts of the BVM. But even as early as the 9th century, black vestments had been used for the Purification.
Pope Innocent III's famous prescription for the Liturgical colours of the late 12th century (the first sequence of colours which resemble those used in the Roman Rite today), lists Black as the colour for Advent, Lent and Funeral liturgies. As an alternate to the use of black, Innocent notes that "violaceus" (purple) may be used.
I would like to suggest that the revival of the use of purple in the 1960's for Funeral vestments was based on Innocent's document, citing violaceus as an alternative to black.
At the moment I am (trying!) to prepare an article for NLM on the history of the use of violaceus (purple/ violet) in the Roman Rite.
I also draw readers' attention to this post about another concept for Funeral vestments on my Weblog (even though my own sympathies lay with black or purple vestments).
Michael.
http://
saintbedestudio.blogspot....stments_12.html
Quote from correspondent above:GIRM 346.
"....White may be used in Masses for the Dead where appropriate. ....
Violet or purple ...may also be worn in Offices and Masses for the Dead. ..
Black may be used, where it is the practice, in Masses for the Dead."
It seems from this that the use of black may be retained, i.e. "where it is the practice". Thus, I don't find it at all within the remit of GIRM to encouarge its reintroduction, or taking initiatives to reintroduce it.
from Europe | 10.17.07 | #
I don't have it handy At the moment but I suspect that this rubric is merely repeated from the GIRM in the Novus Ordo that went into effect in 1969. At that time black would still have been the practice. The fact that white was thereafter imposed on the the people (who retained black for other aspects of funerals like limousines)would hardly seem to erase the option given in the original rubric.
To the writer from the St. Bede Studio:
My understanding is that black was used in Jerusalem at Christmas for Midnight Mass to signify that the Light of the world came down to this earth in the midst of the darkness.
Different Rites seem to have had different approaches to colours. Thus, apparently some times in England, blue was used for Michelmas to sgnify the sky where the angels flew.
To David M O'Rourke,
Great caution is needed when assigning symbolic meanings to the use of Liturgical colours in this early period. Often, the "meanings" were attached later on.
The Sarum rite also employed blue vestments at funerals. This continues; for example the funeral of the Princess of Wales in 1997).
Michael.
Cheers to the return of black!
Anybody out there have suggestions on where to buy black vestments? If my suburbia church ever had them in the past, they are surely gone now...
Visit the Saint Bede Studio Father Michael!
I always wear Black on All Souls Day, and will only wear Purple for funerals - I hope to move to Black fairly soon.
Paul Goings,
I'd like to know why the picture of Resurrection NYC was so funny. I didn't see it myself, but I'd like to hear why it was amusing.
Maureen made a point I was going to. White would be the appropriate colour for a priest to wear at a funeral in the Far East especially Japan. As a European, black is the only choice for me.
"A modest proposal to modern rite parish priests: use black vestments this All Souls Day".
And, to be fair, an equally modest proposal, this time to ancient rite parish priests: use purple vestments this All Souls Day. Or white.
Sampras,
I understand your rhetorical suggestion, but two things.
First, it isn't really addressing the main point of my piece which is a prudential argument for black specifically, not only from our tradition, but in relation to our theology. In that case, I am trying to make a prudential and theological argument for the fact why black might be preferred and again made "the norm" even while options exist -- and you'll note I never completely excluded those options or made them inappropriate.
Second, your rhetorical call relates to the 1962 Missal, and while I am not a ceremonialist up on every jot and tittle of rubrical law, it seems to me that there is no provision for any other colour other than black in the usus antiquior, unless a special indult were granted -- and to my knowledge it hasn't. If I am correct about such, then your suggestion really doesn't work on that level and would actually be inappropriate so long as present law remains in force.
In fact, it is precisely because black is the norm and rubric in the usus antiquior but an option in the modern use that I single out celebrations in the modern use.
I have always used black for funerals and for All Souls Day in the Novus Ordo Mass.
Shawn wrote:
...it seems to me that there is no provision for any other colour other than black in the usus antiquior, unless a special indult were granted -- and to my knowledge it hasn't.
You are correct Shawn, except in the case of the funeral liturgy in usus antiquior of infants and young children who are below "the age of reason" where white vestments are worn.
Michael.
Was there a Requiem for infants? I thought the Votive Mass for the Angels (and the settings of Missa de Angelis, if music was used) was typically the liturgy used. Or was that just American practice?
Liam, I don't think this was just an American practice, but I cannot be certain.
S. Bede-- thanks for the response.
I think black or purple vestments should be used for funerals. All this business about white vestments, white pall over the casket, symbols of joy etc. is all well and good, for we hope our loved ones are in Heaven, or at least near God.
But in some parishes, all this happy,happy,happy, joy,joy,joy stuff at funerals is not only nauseating, but obnoxious and insulting to the grieving.
I know one family who went thru almost a year with the person suffering before he finally died....and they were not happy or joyful or relieved at all. They were grieving for their loss, and for all the person went thru. So they didn't need the parish committee, the choir, the priest, the nun running the liturgical show shoving all this "happy time" stuff down their throats.
The somber, solemn Catholic funeral Mass before Vatican II was dignified and appropriate. It allowed the people to grieve and to show their grief without being forced to be happy.
The Vatican II funeral Mass, and the innovations used today are an insult to family and the deceased.
Liam, The practice of wearing white at the funeral of a child (normally under the age of seven) was not just American but rather was univrsal in the pre-Vatican II Rite. The reason was that a child who has not reached the age of Reason but who has been baptized would be without sin and thus is a saint requiring no Requiem. The Proper of the Mass was the Votive Mass of the Holy Angels.
As a young altar server I served such a funeral once and I remember the priest telling the family they could not pray FOR their child but they could pray TO their child. This took place in Canada.
I am not aware of any rule regarding the musical setting for the Ordianry of the Mass. Properly, the term "De angelis" referred only to the trope in the Kyrie. The Mass was designated as being for Double Feasts. All of the Masses in the Kyriale were named after the trope that had once been used in the Kyrie. As I remember, the music at the funeral I served was the so-called Missa De Angelis so there may have been a custom in that regard but I doubt there wa anay rule.
At our 6:20am Mass on All Souls Day our pastor used the black vestments. I sent him a copy of this blog and not sure if that made the difference, but its a start.
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