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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

The Importance of Uniforms

Fr. David Friel · September 6, 2015

EVERAL SUMMERS AGO, I underwent training at the Naval Chaplains School in Newport, RI. It was a terrific experience (and Newport is not a shabby place to spend the summer). Over that summer, I learned about the traditions of the Navy, did a lot of PT, and became friends with a rabbi & an imam. I am forever grateful for the formation I received during those months.

One thing that many people don’t know about Navy chaplains is that they serve not only the Navy, but also the Marines and the Coast Guard. So we learned about those branches, also, during our training. For a two-week period, we focused exclusively on the Marine component, and we were taken off-site for special field exercises.

We spent most of our time on NAVSTA Newport wearing Navy uniforms—khaki’s mostly, with the occasional need for summer whites. The day we left for the field exercises, however, we all dressed in Marine uniforms. I will never forget looking in the mirror that morning and seeing myself decked in woodland camouflage. My interior response was strong, immediate, and multi-faceted. I felt unworthy, honored, and humbled to wear this particular uniform; the sight produced within me a tangible sense of duty; my mind was consumed with the thought of so many Marines who have died wearing the very same uniform. To be honest, the experience was a bit overwhelming. The question, “Who am I?” repeated itself quietly but firmly in my mind.

HE CASSOCK can be something of a lightning rod. I have yet to forget the occasion when I first wore one, about two months into my first year of seminary life. The feeling was very similar to my experience with the Marine woodlands. I felt unworthy, coupled with a sense of duty and the insistent question of identity.

A great portion of my life has been spent in uniform. Whether it’s been a Catholic school uniform or a baseball uniform or a Scout uniform or a Navy uniform or my current uniform of black, I’ve always enjoyed the feeling of being part of something larger. There are real benefits to wearing a uniform (beyond the freedom of not worrying what to wear).

An article published two weeks ago by Esquire writer-at-large, Tom Chiarella, has some fascinating insights into the effect a cassock can have on the one who wears it and those who see it worn. Though not a priest, Chiarella undertook a mission to wear a cassock around downtown Chicago for a day, observing how it affected him and those he encountered. He continued the experiment by dressing on other days as a security guard, a mechanic, and a doctor. I won’t rehash all of his insights, because the article is worth reading for yourself.

In large part, Chiarella recounts being met with pleasant-to-positive encounters during his day-in-the-life. After four years as a priest, myself, that surprised me a bit. While I am typically met with great warmth in the neighborhood where I live & work, a casual walk through Center City dressed as a priest elicits mostly disinterest. There are, of course, occasional unpleasant encounters that largely stem from the scandals of the last decade, but I would say that the majority of people pay little mind to a passing priest.

That being said, I could not begin to list the many wonderful encounters I have had with strangers who have approached me simply because I was dressed as a priest. Many prayers have been requested, blessings have been offered, and questions have been asked. Without a doubt, wearing priestly attire is good for the priest, since it is a reminder of his vocation and an encouragement to his priestly identity. But it is also good for those around him.

The Esquire article reminded me of William Riccio’s reflection upon the Eucharistic procession held in NYC at the conclusion of Sacra Liturgia back in June. The effect of that procession was a profound spirit of peace felt by participants, police officers, and passers-by alike. The sight of a priest, like the sight of that procession, can have incalculable effects.

Chiarella’s observations, I believe, are valid and important. They are evidence of humanity’s innate desire to connect with God. This desire is written in the hearts of all men, including those who otherwise live in the mire of secularism. If we are serious about the New Evangelization, it is incumbent upon priests to capitalize on simple opportunities to engage modern man. It would seem that wearing priestly garb in public settings is such an opportunity. Doing so often serves as an entre for conversation and prayer—even confession.

HETHER A PRIEST wears a cassock or a black suit, the witness of clerical garb is essential in the modern age. The world needs the witness of priests in ordinary life, not just inside the church building. Our brothers & sisters in the streets and in all of society need to be reminded of the presence of God. We priests should be humbled and honored to be that reminder.

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 Fr. David Friel

Ordained in 2011, Father Friel is a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and serves as Director of Liturgy at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary. —(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ with regard to 1960s switch to vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Music List” • 27th in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 5 October 2025, which is the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. Readers will want to check out the ENTRANCE CHANT posted there, which has a haunting melody (in the DEUTERUS MODE) and extremely powerful text.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“We decided to entrust this work to learned men of our selection. They very carefully collated all their work with the ancient codices in Our Vatican Library and with reliable, preserved or emended codices from elsewhere. Besides this, these men consulted the works of ancient and approved authors concerning the same sacred rites; and thus they have restored the Missal itself to the original form and rite of the holy Fathers.”

— ‘Pope St. Pius V (Quo Primum, 1570)’

Recent Posts

  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
  • “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
  • Involving Women in the Communion?
  • “Toward a More Sacred Style With Pastoral Charity” • Guest Article by Dr. Myrna Keough

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