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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Is it necessary for a priest to where the chasuble when celebrating the Mass? John Saturday, February 23, 2008

Question:

Dear Mr Slavek -

Last night (the Saturday night vigil) Mass began and the celebrant priest arrived and processed down the aisle - and I noticed he wasn't wearing a chasuble (only an alb and a stole). To me this seemed quite strange. I was under the impression that the chasuble is an essential eucharistic garment that must always be worn by the principal celebrant (particularly at Sunday Mass). Am I correct in assuming he was inappropriately attired? He also referred to the Gospel as the "Gospel story" (all this seems rather odd). What are your views concerning this?

I look forward to hearing from you.

God bless you -
JOHN

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear John,

Yes he must be wearing a chasuble at Mass.  But I wouldn't say "essential" if mean that it is essential for the validity of the sacraments.  I think a better word would be "required", meaning that under normal circumstances there is no excuse at all for not wearing one.  So yes, he was inappropriately attired, unless there is some fact that we do not know about, for example the priest arrived for mass only to find that there was no chasuble and did not bring one of his own.

The Gospels actually are a story, among several other things.  I wouldn't worry about calling them the "Gospel Story" unless the priest was actually saying that that's ALL they are.  I doubt that's the case.  I personally wouldn't refer to them as the Gospel Story myself on a regular basis, but perhaps your priest was referring to a specific story in the Gospel in context of his homily.

Thanks for writing,

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

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