Flashback • Pope Benedict XVI (Pentecost 2008)

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Pentecost 2008:

For reasons I don’t fully understand, this chasuble was only worn on one occasion.

SPEAKING ABOUT THE MEANING of “sacred”—as in SACRED MUSIC—I often say, “The priest wears beautiful, ancient, OTHER garments for Mass. The antiquity of his vestments—since they are what the Romans wore—call to mind the antiquity of the Church. The beauty of the vestments is only natural, since we always dress appropriately for special events. The OTHER part points to the fact that these garments are reserved for sacred use. The celebrant doesn’t wear bermuda shorts. Nor does he wear bed sheets.” Looking at the garments of the concelebrating priests, I may have to drop the “bed sheet” part…