Pontifical Vesture:
Putting on the Full Armor of God (Guest Post)
by PETER KWASNIEWSKI
Courtesy of photographer
and NLM reader Christopher Owens, we have a feature article on the traditional
vesting prayers, as recently witnessed at the Pontifical Mass at St. Peter's
celebrated by Cardinal Burke. (The vesting prayers themselves were published in
Latin and English at NLM a few years ago by Gregory DiPippo, with his learned
commentary.)
* * *
During the Solemn
Pontifical Mass last week at St. Peter’s, I was remarkably struck by the image
of the Bishop fully vested for liturgy, and, in this manner, leading his flock
through the tumult of this world toward the heavenly gates. In the more ancient
use of the Roman Rite, the Bishop wears the vesture fitting to all of the
levels of orders, since, as Bishop, he possesses the fullness of orders.
As a photographer, I got
the opportunity to witness up-close the vesting of His Eminence Raymond Leo
Cardinal Burke, and the humility with which, as bishop, he submits himself to
the Church’s liturgy in order to put on the full armor of God. Fortuitously,
the epistle for this past Sunday, the 21st after Pentecost, was the passage
from Ephesians, imploring the brethren to do likewise, to “put on the armor of
God.” In this light, the cleric properly vested for the liturgy is an exemplar
for us in our own daily spiritual battle. I thought I would share these photos
with you, and the corresponding vesting prayers. (The prayers will be given
here in English only; the Latin prayers may be found in the DiPippo article.)
The Buskins Shod my feet, Lord, unto the preparation of
the gospel of peace, and protect me under the cover of thy wings. (Ephesians 6,
15 and Psalm 60, 5)
When the Cappa is
removed Take off of me, Lord, the old
man with his manners and deeds: and put on me the new man, who according to God
is created in justice, and the holiness of truth. (Ephesians 4, 22 and 24)
When he washes his
hands Give strength to my hands, Lord,
to wash away every unclean stain; that I may be able to serve Thee without
defilement of mind or body.
At the Amice Place the helmet of salvation, Lord, upon my
head, to overthrow all the deceits of the devil, prevailing against the cunning
of all enemies. (Ephesians 6, 17)
At the Alb Wash me clean, Lord, and cleanse me from my
sin; that I may rejoice and be glad unendingly with them that have washed their
robes in the blood of the Lamb. (Psalm 50, 3 and Apocalypse 7, 14)
At the Cincture Gird me, Lord, with the belt of faith, my
loins with the virtue of chastity, and extinguish in them the humour of lust;
that the strength of all chastity may ever abide in me.
When he receives the
Pectoral Cross Deign Thou, Lord Jesus
Christ, to guard me, from all the snares of every enemy, by the sign of Thy
most holy Cross: and deign Thou to grant to me, Thy unworthy servant, that as I
hold before my breast this Cross with the relics of Thy Saints within it, so
may I ever keep in mind the memory of the Passion, and the victories of the
Holy Martyrs.
At the Stole Restore to me, Lord, I beseech Thee, the
stole of immortality, which I lost in the transgression of the first father;
and, though unworthy I presume to approach Thy sacred mystery with this
garment, grant that I may merit to rejoice in it forever.
At the Tunicle May the Lord cloth me in the tunicle of delight,
and the garment of rejoicing.
At the Dalmatic Cloth me, Lord, with the garment of salvation,
and the raiment of joy; and ever place upon me the dalmatic of justice.
At the Gloves Place upon my hands, Lord, the cleanliness of
the new man, that came down from heaven; that, just as Jacob Thy beloved,
covering his hands with the skins of goats, and offering to his father most
pleasing food and drink, obtained his father’s blessing, so also may the saving
victim offered by our hands, merit the blessing of Thy grace. Through our Lord
Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who in the likeness of sinful flesh offered Himself for
us.(Genesis 27, 6-29 and Romans 8, 3)
At the Chasuble O Lord, who said: my yoke is sweet and my
burden light: grant that I may be able so to bear it, so that I may be able to
obtain Thy grace. (St. Matthew 11, 30)
At the Mitre Place upon my head, Lord, the mitre and helmet
of salvation; that I may go forth unhindered against the snares of the ancient
foe, and of all my enemies. (Ephesians 6, 17)
At the Ring Adorn with virtue, Lord, the fingers of my
body and of my heart, and place upon them the sanctification of the sevenfold
Spirit.
At the Maniple I pray Thee , Lord, that I may merit to bear
the maniple in lamentation; that with joyfulness I may receive a portion among
the just. (Psalm 125, 67)
Guest author Christopher
Owens is finishing his Master' Degree in Theology at the International
Theological Institute in Trumau, Austria. He plans to continue his studies
toward an STL in Thomistic Theology. You can see his photography work at
http://cdo.photography/
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