Catholics/Tridentine Vestments

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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 8/8/2007


Question
Hello Father,

Why do so many priests, when saying the Tridentine Mass, wear Roman or "fiddle back" chasubles instead of Gothic ones? I remember these from the 1950's. Is it a matter of nostalgia? The Roman chasuble has become "hallowed" over time, but consider:

The Gothic form of chasuble is older, and can be seen in early Medieval paintings and illuminated manuscripts. By the 15th century or so, "Gothic" chasubles worn by high ranking clergy had become so heavy with ornamentation that priests couldn't move easily when saying Mass. The "solution" to this problem was not to simplify the vestments, but to cut away the sides!

If this is so, is not the Roman chasuble then an innovation of tradition born from excess? And wouldn't the Gothic chasuble be more appropriate for priests who are tradition-minded? I am NOT saying that the Roman chasuble is inappropriate. It's the nature and content of the Mass that "counts", but with all that's been said about "modern" vestments by Traditionalists, it's odd to know that the Roman chasuble was at one time a new-fangled thing too!

Answer
Hi, Hans.

I understand what you state quite well.  Thank you.
Yeah - I suppose there is some degree of "prejudice" concerning priestly Mass vestments coming from both sides, so to speak.  If I understand correctly, what is called a "fiddle-back" vestment is from the Baroque and Roccocco eras, no earlier than the late 16th Century for the most part.  You can see how the lines and ornamentation certainly accord with Baroque style european churches.  I have worn both kinds of vestments.  I guess that I am not terribly caught up in the polemics one way or other.  Some neo-gothic vestments are ugly, are poorly made, and do not fit well - same goes for "fiddle-backs."
I guess that there is more to be said for quality workmanship than anything else.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

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A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

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