“This event is renewed during each Mass through the fact that we put on the liturgical vestments. Vesting solemnly, and not mechanically or distractedly, should be more than an external deed for us: Benedict XVI says that it is entering ever anew into the yes of our responsibility — into this “no longer I” of Baptism — which priestly ordination gives us in a new way and, at the same time, demands of us. The fact that we are at the altar, clothed in the liturgical vestments, should immediately make visible to those present and to ourselves that we are there in the person of another. Priestly vestments are a profound, symbolic expression of what the priesthood signifies” (68).
The act of putting them on was formerly accompanied by prayers that help us to understand better each element of priestly ministry, starting with the amice. In the past — and still in monastic orders — it was placed first on the head, like a sort of cowl, thus becoming a symbol of disciplining our senses and concentrating our thoughts; both of these are necessary for a correct and pious celebration of the Mass, experienced with recollection, reverence, and awe. Indeed, my thoughts must not wander here and there after the worries and expectations of my everyday life; my senses must not be attracted by anything inside the church that by chance might preoccupy my eyes, ears, and attention. My heart must be docile and open to the Word of God and be recollected in the prayer of the Church, so that my thoughts might receive their orientation from the words of the proclamation and of this prayer. And the eyes of my heart must be turned toward the Lord, Who is among us: this is what the ars celebrandi means — the correct way of celebrating. If I am with the Lord in this way and my attention is turned toward Him, then, by my attentive listening, my way of standing before Him, speaking, and acting, I will draw other persons also into intimate communion with Him. Prayer texts that interpret the alb and the stole are along the same lines:
The alb: its name means “white”; it symbolizes the purity and sanctity that are always required in order to celebrate the work of God, as Saint Benedict calls the liturgy. The alb and the stole recall the festive garment that the father in Saint Luke’s parable gives to the prodigal son when he has come back home, dirty and in rags. When we approach the liturgy to act in persona Christi, in the person of Christ, we all notice how far we are from Him; how there is dirt in our lives. He alone can give us the festive garment and make us holy and worthy to preside at His table, to be at His service. Thus, the prayers also recall the words of the book of Revelation, saying that the garments of the 144,000 elect had been washed and whitened in the blood of the Lamb. “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night within his temple” (Rev 7:14–15).
The chasuble: this is the outer garment that the priest puts on to celebrate Mass. It has its origin in a Roman cloak, the paenula, the same cloak that Saint Paul had forgotten in Troas at the house of Carpus (2 Tim 4:13). The chasuble is the vestment that totally covers the priest who celebrates Mass. It represents the yoke of the Lord Jesus, which has been placed on us in our capacity as priests. It recalls the words of Christ, Who invites us carry His yoke and to learn from Him, and tells us that He is “gentle and lowly in heart” (Mt 11:29). Wearing the chasuble means learning from Him how to submit with docility and for love of the Father’s will; how we should humble ourselves and disappear in the presence of Jesus Christ, so that He alone may be visible. To wear the chasuble is to be ever ready to go to His school, so that He might teach us to be meek and humble of heart, as He is, and to love God and our neighbor as He does. It is absolutely inadequate and sad to celebrate the great Mystery of our faith while wearing only an alb and a stole. Every Eucharist is a solemnity, a feast, and at the same time the celebration of the Crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus had ascended to the altar of Golgotha solemnly with His noble, precious tunic. “The tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom” (Jn 19:23). We, too, put on again the yoke of Jesus, His noble tunic, in ascending to the altar of sacrifice to die with Him. Mass is the most holy act, the principal and most important act of our priestly life.36 It is an act that sanctifies us and configures us to Christ (69).
From For Eternity: Restoring the Priesthood and Our Spiritual Fatherhood by Robert Cardinal Sarah
Prodigal Catholic 