| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Wake Service Vesting | Deacon Larry | Monday, June 2, 2008 |
Question: Is it not proper for the deacon to vest in alb and stole to conduct a vigil service conducted at a funeral home? This to ditinguish him from a layman and/or a member of the funeral home staff. |
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| Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek
Dear Rev. Mr. Lottier, The Order of Christian Funerals says that the ministers should vest for the vigil according to local custom. (n. 66) I would think that for the deacon or priest the usual black clerical suit, shirt or cassock with the collar would be appropriate inside a funeral home. I agree that the deacon should wear dress that distinguishes himself from a layman, just as he could any other time he is in a public place. By the way the Order goes on to say that the alb and stole is required when the vigil takes place inside a church. Mr. Slavek Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers. (b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks. (c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively. |
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