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Views from the Choir Loft

Priests Embarrassed To Wear Distinctive Garb

Jeff Ostrowski · July 9, 2014

279 Bishop Gracida HEN ROBERT E. LEE surrendered to Grant, he wore his finest uniform, immaculately clean. Grant wore a muddy private’s uniform, with nothing but a pair of shoulder straps to designate his rank. Some claim Lee’s choice of attire signified how much he valued honor and proper behavior, while Grant’s clothing showed him as a “pragmatic” person.

When I was teaching high school, priests from the diocese would offer Mass for the students: a different one each week. Some were “infamous,” like the SOLT priest who gave a homily lasting 1.5 hours, causing students to miss their classes. (He was never invited back.)

            *             *             *

When Bishop René H. Gracida offered Mass at our school, two things happened which I’ll never forget.

IRST, a whole bunch of priests from the diocese showed up (which was rare), and they all wore the Roman Collar.   Several came wearing a cassock! One priest in particular shocked me. He showed up wearing a lovely black soutane. I had no idea this priest even owned a cassock, because he normally dressed in a Hawaiian shirt. But for some reason, he didn’t wear a Hawaiian shirt for Bishop Gracida.

ECOND, Bishop Gracida arrived early and did something no other priest had ever done. He stood right in front of the sacristy Crucifix and prayed—very devoutly—for a significant period of time. The priests were astonished and didn’t know what to do! I could see the look in their eyes: “Bishop Gracida is … praying!” Some of them began to pray, too, while others were more quiet than normal.

I doubt Bishop Gracida remembers that Mass, because he followed his normal routine. But I’ll never forget that day, because I saw what it means to be a true leader.

LADIES DO NOT REQUIRE an explanation as to why priests wear distinctive garb. Have you noticed that women always pay attention to what they wear and how they look? They place a value upon one’s attire, just like Robert E. Lee did.

We had a Franciscan pastor during the 1990s named Fr. Valentine Young. He always wore his brown Franciscan robe, except one time, when he came to visit our house. That time, he wore a black clerical suit. I was shocked! I didn’t realize Franciscans were allowed to wear “clerics.” But it turns out Fr. Valentine does not wear his Franciscan robes when he travels long distances by car, because the robes make it difficult for him to drive safely. On those occasions, he wears the Roman Collar.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Roman Collar Distinctive Garb Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Schola Director Posts ‘Live’ Recording
    As I explained in my article posted earlier today, Nun Komm Der Heiden Heiland is actually a Catholic tune (in spite of what some have claimed). The volunteer choir I direct sang that beautiful ADVENT melody last Sunday, and I invite you to listen to the live recording. It will get better the more we sing it.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Message from the Vice-President!
    The Vice-President of the Church Music Association of America, Dr. Horst Buchholz (who also serves as Director of Sacred Music for the Archdiocese of Detroit) sent us an email yesterday regarding the harmonizations (PDF) I composed for the Gregorian Chant psalm tones. Dr. Buchholz says: “Those settings are absolutely exquisite, as I'm used to when it comes from you. Bravo! Well done! Now, as a sequel, if you could write something for accompanying psalms in English that would be awesome.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Requesting Our Advent Eucharistic Hymn
    A young lady named Agnes wrote to us: “Dear Mr. Ostrowski, do you have the PDF score for Ave Corpus Domini set to the ADVENT melody? Last year, we sang the hymn tune “Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland” quite a bit using your contrafactum technique. My choir appreciates the Latin hymns and practice videos, especially in the ADVENT and CHRISTMAS seasons. Your recent article on Gregorian Psalm Tones is a great help to my organist brother, and reminds us of attending VESPERS years ago when we lived in California. Thank you so much for all the effort put into providing these wonderful resources!”   Agnes, if you are listening! Yes, the PDF file you desire can be downloaded for free at the Brébeuf Portal via this URL link. Thanks for writing to us!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“We being many are one bread and one body, All who share the one bread and one cup. Vs. Thou hast prepared of thy sweetness for the poor, O God, who makest us to dwell in one mind in thy house. All who share the one bread and one cup.”

— Responsory (Matins for Corpus Christi) transl. by Fortescue

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