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Views from the Choir Loft

Vesting Prayers • Part 4 of 9

Fr. David Friel · July 26, 2015

HE WORD “ALB” is simply the Latin word for “white,” so it should be no surprise that the alb is always made with white fabric. Its basic purpose is to cover the minister’s secular clothing during the sacred liturgy, thereby reminding those present that what transpires in the sanctuary is a foretaste of the heavenly realm.

The imagery of the saints wearing white in heaven is scriptural. In the Book of Revelation, the bride of the Lamb is described wearing “a bright, clean linen garment” (Rev 19:8). Later in the same chapter, “the armies of heaven” are said to be riding horses and “wearing clean white linen.” The magnificent hymn, Te Deum, moreover, refers to the “white-robed army of martyrs” praising God (Te mártyrum candidátus laudat exércitus).

Another facet of the alb’s significance is that it should serve to remind us of our Baptismal identity. In this sense, the alb hearkens to mind the white garment we received at our first Sacrament, as well as the Pauline theme of “putting on” Christ (“All of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ,” Gal 3:27; “Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,” Rom 13:14; “Put on the new self,” Eph 4:24).

As the priest puts on his alb, he offers the following prayer:

Dealba me, Domine, et munda cor meum; ut, in sanguine Agni dealbatus, gaudiis perfruare sempiternis.

Cleanse me, O Lord, and purify my heart, that, washed in the Blood of the Lamb, I may attain unto everlasting joys.

There is a very surprising image used in this prayer, and it centers on the rich word dealbatus. The English translation I have provided above gives this word as “washed,” but it could more literally be translated as “having been made white.” The word “alb” even appears within this longer word. Isn’t it curious to suggest that, being washed in Blood, one may be made white? This unusual image, I believe, is meant to strike our ears strangely, leading us to deeper meditation on the cleansing power of Christ’s sacrifice.

In the latter portion of the prayer, a complex word appears. Perfruare is the second-person singular form of the present active subjunctive. It is, furthermore, a deponent verb (i.e., a verb that is active in meaning but passive in form). The use of the subjunctive here makes a beautiful theological point. The prayer asks that the one praying might become worthy/deserving of everlasting joys. Implicit in the prayer, therefore, is the notion that we are not, of ourselves, worthy or deserving of heavenly bliss. We may become so, though, by the sanctifying grace that comes to us by the action of the sacred liturgy.

Yet another phrase in this prayer warrants closer consideration. The words Munda cor meum appear not only in this vesting prayer, but also in one of the private prayers prayed inaudibly during Holy Mass. These are the opening words of the prayer of preparation offered by the deacon or priest before proclaiming the Gospel. At both of these moments, how fitting it is to offer a preparatory prayer for purity.

Like the other vestments we are considering in this series, the alb is traditionally a priestly vestment. In recent decades, this understanding has been eroded as the alb has been reinvented as the vesture for a variety of functions within the liturgy. JMO considers this topic HERE.

Next week, we shall consider the vesting prayer associated with the cincture.

Part 1 • Introduction

Part 2 • The Hand Washing

Part 3 • The Amice

Part 4 • The Alb

Part 5 • The Cincture

Part 6 • The Maniple

Part 7 • The Stole

Part 8 • The Chasuble

Part 9 • The Dalmatic

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

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Traditional Catholic Vestments, Vesting Prayers Last Updated: March 29, 2021

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About Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel served as Parochial Vicar at Saint Anselm Church in Northeast Philly before earning a doctorate in liturgical theology at The Catholic University of America. He presently serves as Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”

I’m still trying to decide how to visually present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores, using what is (technically) the official rhythm of the Church. You can download my latest attempt, for this coming Sunday. Notice the “trochee trouble” as well as the old issue of neumes before the quilisma.

—Jeff Ostrowski
16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

By far, the event that caused the biggest increase in requests for indults from the morning Mass requirement was the Second World War. The unusual requirements of providing Mass during wartime led to some unique legislation accommodating the time of Mass. Already in 1940, Pope Pius XII issued a motu proprio addressing the situation of holding Mass in countries where a “Black-out” had been ordered.

— Father Shawn P. Tunink

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