Seminarians and Birettas

Seminarian Matt · #1 Aug 19, '07, 1:51 pm

I am wanting to buy a biretta before I leave for seminary this Saturday. Do you recommend any producers? I'm thinking of buying the one from House of Hansen.

And, when exactly can a seminarian wear a biretta?

palmas85 · #2 Aug 19, '07, 2:01 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seminarian Matt

I am wanting to buy a biretta before I leave for seminary this Saturday. Do you recommend any producers? I'm thinking of buying the one from House of Hansen.

And, when exactly can a seminarian wear a biretta?

Does your seminary even allow them? There are seminaries in which the seminarians don't wear clerical garb at all, instead dressing in civilian clothes.

If your seminary does allow them they would be the ones to tell you when it is acceptable to wear them,

AJV · #3 Aug 19, '07, 2:54 pm

Perhaps, if you are a bit short of money, or have other things that you might need before this, you may consider not buying the biretta. I don't think the biretta is worn as day-to-day wear (I think the one worn like that is the capello) for diocesan seminarians, but only during really solemn or choir functions. As a seminarian, there wouldn't be all that many chances you would have, therefore, to wear it. You can't wear it, for example, when you are serving Mass. Even on the chances you have, they may not let you since your fellow seminarians may not have birettas and you would stand out.

Perhaps you might think of delaying such a purchase until you get ordained to the diaconate or the priesthood. A priest has more opportunities during the administration of the sacraments to wear it.

chicago · #4 Aug 19, '07, 3:52 pm

House of Hansen (good people) makes quality garb, but they are also awfully expensive. You might be able to find something just as good at a more economical cost.

Chatter163 · #5 Aug 19, '07, 4:50 pm

Quote:

I am wanting to buy a biretta before I leave for seminary this Saturday. Do you recommend any producers? I'm thinking of buying the one from House of Hansen.

And, when exactly can a seminarian wear a biretta?

Excuse me, but why would you purchase a biretta when you do not even know when it can be worn?

Seminarian Matt · #6 Aug 19, '07, 7:24 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chatter163

Excuse me, but why would you purchase a biretta when you do not even know when it can be worn?

Because they look incredible

Lepanto · #7 Aug 19, '07, 8:56 pm

I'm 100% in favor of the use of cassocks, birettas, etc., but they should be worn to distinguish the ordained from the laity, as a sign of being set apart, and as a sign of genuine humility.

Because one thinks they look cool is a horrible reason. That kind of thinking quickly leads to narcissism, which is the downfall for many priests.

So wear cassocks and birettas, Matt, but do so for the RIGHT reasons.

freudmacher · #8 Aug 19, '07, 9:52 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by lepanto

So wear cassocks and birettas, Matt, but do so for the RIGHT reasons.

I completely agree.

Genesis315 · #9 Aug 19, '07, 9:57 pm

What lepanto said.

Also, humbly obey your superiors at the seminary--if they allow you to wear clerical garb, great, if not, then obey without complaint.

Seminarian Matt · #10 Aug 19, '07, 10:02 pm

While I do think that birettas and cassocks look wonderful, I understand their symbolic importance. I don't just want to wear it because it is "cool". I want to wear it because of the Traditions it expresses.

I know that a priest may wear it during the homily and in the procession to the altar. However, when may a seminarian wear it? Note: My seminary does not allow seminarians to wear a biretta. However, when I am not at seminary, may I wear it while praying the Breviary? Any other times?

scylla · #11 Aug 19, '07, 10:18 pm

Why not enjoy being Catholic, there is nothing wrong with enjoying our faith. Sure it looks cool and we should enjoy that as long as we keep our pride in check.

Just like enjoying participating in a Marian procession, Eucharistic procession or standing up for the faith. We should proud of our faith, proud of the faith of Christ.
Only Catholics can be proud of the faith and it not be an evil thing as our faith is of Christ not of man. So when we are proud of it we are proud of God's creation, just as long as we keep that in mind. Rejoice in God's faith, as long as we realize that we only have it because of God.

Too often we use this false sense of humility to hide our faith, we should wear it on our sleeve, express it and share it as much as possible. Humilty is rejoicing in the fact that our faith is of God and something to share to wear and to express out in the open, as long as it is for God's edification not our own.

When we express our own devotion to God that is what we hide so we do not use it to bring ourselves glory. But our faith should be public and shared.

In Christ
Scylla

Genesis315 · #12 Aug 19, '07, 10:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by scylla

Too often we use this false sense of humility to hide our faith, we should wear it on our sleeve, express it and share it as much as possible.

That's a good point too. To me, it depends on what the superior's allow--the most meritorious path is to obey them on this issue.

Ad Deum · #13 Aug 20, '07, 1:33 pm

Probably after your noviciate?
It depends on the seminary's requirements and rules.
Good Luck

Pax
Laudater Jesus Christus
Instaurare omnia in Christo

TLMassAcolyte · #14 Aug 20, '07, 2:49 pm

I would think whenever you receive the cassock... this is when ICRSS start to use them...
God bless
Kieran

Br Mark · #15 Aug 20, '07, 4:38 pm

seminarian matt,

From what I can discern from your post, I assume that you will be attending University of St Mary on the Lake.

So have you made your trak to Omaha, yat ?

No I would not suggest that you wear a biretta as a seminarian either in public or in private; since you are still part of the laity.

Br Mark, OSB