21/12/05

Whatever happened to the correct wearing of stoles? Granted a deacon is normally seen wearing a stole diaconally, but I always understood that priests wore theirs crossed over the breast and secured by the cincture and only bishops were to wear them "straight". Now it seems priests and bishops wear them the same way.

Another point is that stoles were never designed to be worn around the neck when under the chasuble. They should be worn over the shoulders, again held in place by the cincture, and not visible at the neck. This would avoid all that untidiness, when the chasuble won't sit flat at the neck and also the sight of the embroidered cross not being central.

....or am I just an fuddy duddy?

Gerald Wilson, Head Server, St Annes, St Annes-on-Sea, Lancs.

REPLIES

22/12/05

No....You are not a "Fuddy Duddy" in regards to the 2nd section Comment.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

However,in the First Comment (and I can ONLY speak for Australia).... Deacons are Correct.
Priests celebrating Mass and ALSO Bishops celebrating Mass (They really are still a priest at this time) still cross the stole at the breast and secure it with a cincture/girdle etc....The Only Time Here in Australia That you see a Priest and a Bishop with "No-Crossed stole" is When the Bishop or Priest are NOT The Celebrant OR at other services ie. Mattins/Evensong/other Occasions.....I would be interested in seeing other comments on this Topic.
P.S... What ever happened to The Maniple...????. It is rarely used or seen here in Australia anymore..........................
P.F.M-D.
Queensland. Australia.

22/12/05

I would like to offer these notes on the maniple:
maniple
(Latin: little bundle, because originally a folded handkerchief) 

Ornamental vestment, a silk embroidered band about a yard long and three inches wide, placed on the left arm of subdeacons, deacons, priests, and bishops during Mass, so that it falls in equal lengths on both sides. The prayer said when putting it on styles it the maniple of tears and labour.

New Catholic Dictionary
What is the maniple?
It is in a shape like the stole, but much smaller, and is worn by the Priest, deacon, and subdeacon over their left arm. The maniple is interpreted as an emblem of sorrow for sin.

The Ritual Reason why.
Ed. Charles Walker, Mowbray, London (1912) pg 42



In ?The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite, Explained? by A. Fortescue and J. B. O?Connell (Burns, Oats and Washbourne Ltd) is declared to be essentially THE mass vestment, even more than the chasuble. It is also thus cited in Ritual Notes (9th Edition)


One can only speculate on the reason WHY it is not now worn.

David Froud. PG10

One may only speculate

23/12/05

There are still many clergy who retain the use of the maniple. As they will, rightly, tell you it has become optional not been abolished!

Craig Aburn
Guild MC
 

23/12/05

The reason the maniple isn't worn anymore is because priests have a habit of either dunking the bottom of the maniple in the chalice or worse still knocking the whole thing over!

This apparently happened to one priest I know, who will never wear one again. (I don't blame him either! If that happened to me I think I would feel the same)

With regards to crossing stoles, a Bishop doesn't cross his stole as crossing the stole is to symbolise the cross and as a Bishop wears a pectoral cross there is no need. 

Lee Clark Head server Holy Trinity Barkingside
 

24/12/05

The question about what is “correct” really depends on whose rules one chooses to follow about this sort of thing.

I personally loved the old ways, and weep – sometimes literally – for their passing. But the sad fact is that within the English church the only authority we ever had for wearing a stole or chasuble at all was that it was the universal practice of the Western Church. Since the second Vatican Council the practice of the western church has changed considerably, and now the instruction (which the Roman Catholics have to follow) is that the stole should not be crossed under the chasuble, but that priests should wear their stoles in the same manner as bishops. At the same time the use of the maniple was discontinued, and both the order and liturgical function of the sub-deacon was abolished.

As Anglicans we have the right to continue these traditions if we wish – and I actively seek those places and occasions where they survive. But, alas, we cannot really condemn those who follow the newer custom – in strict terms of law they are the obedient ones, and we the tolerated minority fashion.

Peter Hillyar-Russ
 

17/10/06 - Fr. Graham Colby

With regard to the modern Roman rite, Mgr Peter Elliott writes: "The stole is worn by priests around the neck, and hanging down evenly at the front", but he adds a footnote: "cf GIRM no 340; but on sensible aesthetical grounds, crossing the stole may be preferable when "Roman" vestments are worn for Mass facing the people."

I have seen this at Westminster Cathedral. And, of course, at Brompton Oratory!!

Fr Graham Colby