Fr. Z’s Annual Rant On Blue Vestments
The use of blue vestments during Advent has been dying out for several years as the aging hippies drop. However, inspired by Pope Francis, perhaps we shouldn’t be so rigid and just – what the heck – use them anyway?
Let’s review.
I am pretty sure that that famous indult for blue in Spanish territories doesn’t any longer apply. It was privilege was granted to Spain and its colonies, and Latin America, by a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites in 1864. In a nutshell, the concessions given for the use of cerulean were few in number and were quite restrictive by the clear intent of the Holy See. Also, a couple years ago we learned from a commentator that the Spanish bishops approved, the use of blue (“azul”) for the Marian Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It’s in their Ordo. Perhaps some reader in Spain can check on this for this year. There is a treasure trove of information about past concessions to use cerulean/blue vestments HERE. Ultimate Fr. Z kudos for that.
At this point, some people always blurt, “But Father! But Father! Once upon a time in Spanish territories there was an indult and… therefore… we can… you know! You are… are… so… so… RIGID! YOU MUST HATE VATICAN II!”
Yeah yeah… sure. It’s still against the law.
But… lots of things are against the law and, these days, it doesn’t seem to make a difference! Let’s just do whatever the hell we want! Surely that proves that I really do love Vatican II after all! After all, I don’t want to be rigid, do I? Isn’t that about the worst thing anyone can ever be? We have to be flexible, unless we are … you know…
Also, this coming year is the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima’s apparitions. Right?
Year in and year out I say that, as soon as blue is approved for use (and I sincerely hope it will be!) I will be among the first to have a beautiful set made in the Roman style! I will take up a collection and get a magnificent Pontifical set, replete with cope and humeral veil. With dalmatics and tunics and gremials and frontals! I’ll get a stupendous Low Mass set with gold and embroidery. I will ask for yhuge donations! I’ll even have my coat of arms embroidered on them!
Okay…. I give up. Why should I wait? Churchmen at the highest levels can pretend that Christ didn’t mean what he said about matrimony. Why can’t I pretend blue is approved for the entire Latin Church right now? If different dioceses and conferences can come up with opposing “policies” about Communion for the divorced and remarried, will anyone really care if we use an unapproved color for our vestments?
I found a pretty good fabric that could be used in three different versions of blue. Whaddya think?
Navy
Baby Blue
A sort of turquoise, I suppose.
And it’s only $11/yard, which is a great deal. I should order some samples.
I didn’t see examples in teal or powderpuff.
Speaking of different colors of blue, here once again is legendary song from our official Parodohymnodist.
