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Do you know why Catholic priests wear black with a white collar?
I met a Catholic priest this evening at a banquet where I was working as a server. I asked a girl there if there was any significance to the wearing of black and white by priests. She called the priest over and said I had a question for him. Amazingly he extended his hand for a handshake and introduced himself...something that is rare for a lowly server! Anyway he said that it is an old tradition because dyes were expensive and that priests usually wore black or white. He said now they wear the black and the white collar is so that the black color doesn't rub off on your neck. Have you heard any other explanations for the black and white? Or do you think this was an educated answer?
6 Answers
- cristoiglesiaLv 79 years agoFavorite Answer
It was a very good answer. The collar is a slaves collar that signifies that we are slaves to Christ and His faithful. God bless!
In Christ
Fr. Joseph
- John SLv 79 years ago
As a Catholic...
I've heard that it was for several reasons..
1) Piety - saves money Brown tunics were also used because many things can stain clothing brown or black. Purple and Reds are rarer and more costly. They are reserved for special occasions and celebrations. At times, White linen was also used because bleaching clothes is also cheap and plentiful.
2) As a Sign - like any uniform it acts to make that person stand out. They are easier to identify should you need their help. Being a Priest is not a 9-to-5 job. You are a Priest 24/7. Therefore you need to be quickly identifiable should someone need last rites, seek your opinion, need a belssing, etc.
3) Service to God - the collar is similar to what many servants use to wear. It signifies that they are in service to someone.. in this case... God.
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Technically.. Priests are not required to wear it all the time. They CAN wear regular clothes when they are not at an official Church function. - such as out with friends.
Many Priests do, however, wear the cleric garb all the time, again.. because it makes them easily identifiable.
If you talk to a Priest.. most have numerous stories about how they are stopped on the street by ordinary people, some atheists and asked that they pray for a loved one or asked a question.
(They also sometimes get better service at businesses wearing their cleric garb and people are generally nicer to them "Oh pardon me Father" "Oh excuse me Father" "you go right ahead Father" .etc. etc. ...but I'm sure that has less to do with it ;) )
Besides.. Black is timeless.. it goes with everything... right?
This is a tongue in cheek video about nun fashion - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UY5sZPU32s
- Anonymous5 years ago
What "cloth"? My brother and brother-in-law are each ministers and neither consider the need to costume up in a fancy dress to prove it. If their moves as humans do not exhibit them for who they are then what excellent are they to hide behind a "material". In the old testomony the clergymen got requirements for garb to be worn for the period of worship. That was once the historic regulation. Where within the New legislation is there any mention in any respect of priestly garb? I feel that they wear it just to show off.
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