I.
1º. Can black or violet vestments be used indifferently at Requiem Masses, as stated in the Ceremonial of Baldeschi, edited by Vavaseur? (page 14), Paris, 1859.
2º. "Rubrica de coloribus paramentorum non est praeceptiva, sed directiva, unde non inducit rigorosam obligationem; quia praeceptum S. Pii V. latum in bulla missalis, ex quo rubricae vim obligandi habent, non se extendit ad hanc rubricam de coloribus". Ferraris, in voc. Paramenta Sacra.
Can a priest, therefore, use at Requiem Masses vestments of any colour, when, on any occasion, the number of priests to celebrate are many, and the black or violet vestments few? Can we conclude that, in such circumstances, the obligation of the rubric ceases?
3º. Must the ciborium containing particles to be consecrated, be placed not merely on the corporal, but also on the altar stone? What is to be done when the altar-stone is too small to contain the chalice and large host? Can the ciborium be placed outside the stone, or should the particles be taken from the ciborium and arranged on the corporal, so as to rest on the altar-stone?
In reply to the first question, we beg to state that black or violet vestments, in our opinion, cannot be used indiscriminately. The Rubric of the Missal clearly lays down that black vestments are to be used, and we are not aware of any authoritative decree stating the general principle that one or the other can be used at discretion. The custom, no doubt, has been introduced of using the violet colour in many places; but in several instances this was done and sanctioned by authority, through a necessity which would justify a departure from the Rubric, inasmuch as there might not be a supply of black vestments; in other instances, it may have been done in consequence of the opinion gradually gaining ground that black or violet could be used indifferently. It appears to us more correct to say, that in case of necessity the violet can be used without much difficulty.
But our reverend correspondent gives, as his authority, the Ceremonial of Baldeschi, edited by Vavaseur, 1859. We have consulted this author, and we find that he refers the reader to the Ordo Divini Officii, Roma. In this ordo it is stated that the colour in Missa Defunctorum is niger vel violaceus. And the following note is appended: "S. R. C. Ann. 1670. 21 Jun. v. Cardellini in Nota ad quaest. 3. Decret. 4440. Cujus tamen coloris (violacei) parcus admodum erit usus, et fortasse solum in aliquali necessitate; sic Cavalieri". The decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites here referred to, is as follows: Oritana—"Sacra Congregatio censuit servandum esse decretum vicarii in Ecclesia Cathedrali ne in posterum celebrentur Missae defunctorum nisi cum colore nigro vel saltem violaceo ... Hoc die 21 Junii, 1670".
The word saltem appears to us not to allow the indiscriminate use of black or violet, but rather the use of the violet, when the black vestments are not at hand.
It may not be out of place to observe here, that there are two decrees of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences which illustrate this subject.
Dub. 1. "Utrum qui privilegium habet personale pro quatuor Missis in hebdomadis singulis debeat cum paramentis coloris nigri celebrare diebus non impeditis ut possit indulgentiam Plenariam pro Animabus Defunctorum lucrari?
Dub. 2. "Utrum qui celebrat in Altari Privilegiato pro singulis diebus debeat semper uti paramentis nigris diebus non impeditis ut indulgentiam Privilegii consequatur?
"Ad primum dubium resp. Affirmative. Ad secundum pariter ut in primo.
"Ita decrevit sub die 11 Aprilis, 1840".
From these two decrees it is quite clear that it is indispensable for a priest to celebrate in black vestments on the days allowed, of course, in order to gain the plenary indulgence, ut possit indulgentiam plenariam pro animabus defunctorum lucrari. If the black or violet could be used indifferently, there exists no reason for confining this important privilege of a plenary indulgence to a Requiem Mass said in black vestments. We are of opinion, therefore, that, as a general rule, the black vestments are to be used, and the violet only ex aliquali necessitate, as has been remarked in a directory which we have before us. 'We must, however, observe that in the Caeremoniale Episcoporum it is stated that the bishop assisting at a Requiem Mass can use a black or violet cope: "Si Episcopus noluerit celebrare, sed hujusmodi missae pro defunctis per alium celebratae interesse eadem norma in omnibus servabitur, quae expressa est in capite praecedenti; ipse vero Episcopus cum cappa, vel cum pluviali nigro seu violaceo facta confessione cum celebrante ibit cum suis assistentibus ad sedem suam"—Caeremoniale Episcoporum, libro 2º, cap. 12, no. i.
This, however, only applies to the bishop.
Again, the Caeremoniale, in the same book, chapter 25th, no. vi., treating of the function of Good Friday, says: "Episcopus et omnes utuntur paramentis nigris si haberi possint et deficientibus nigris coloris violacei".
We now come to the second question, and in our answer we shall probably have to make some observations closely connected with the subject matter of the first question. We hold that the rubric de coloribus paramentorum is praeceptiva. There are two decrees of the Sacred Congregation of Rites bearing on this subject.
1. "Inter postulata a Reverendissimo Episcopo Vicen. in visitatione ad Limina transmissa unum extat, quo ipse jure conqueritur de confusione colorum in paramentis sacrosancto Missae sacrificio, aliisque functionibus deservientibus, quae etiamsi sacris ritibus opposita in dicta tamen civitate et in ceteris Episcopatus Ecclesiis conspicitur. Huic propterea abusui providere, imo de medio tollere volens, humillime supplicavit idem Episcopus pro opportuno remedio. Et Sac. Rituum. Congregatio in ordinario coetu ad Vaticanum coacto respondendum censuit Serventur omnino rubricae generales: facta tamen potestate Episcopo indulgendi ut in Ecclesiis pauperibus permittat illis uti donec consumantur". 19 Decemb., 1829. in Vicen.
2. "Potestne continuari usus illarum Ecclesiarum quae pro colore tam albo, quam rubro, viridi et violaceo utuntur paramentis flavi coloris vel mixtis diversis coloribus, praesertim si colores a rubrica praescripti in floribus reperiantur? Resp. Servetur strictim Rubrica quoad colorem indumentorum, 12 Nov., 1831. Marsor. ad dub. 54. Vide Manuale Decretorum S. Rituum Congregationis".
In these two decrees, the observance of the Rubric with regard to the colour of the vestments is prescribed, "servetur strictim Rubrica quoad colorem indumentorum". Such a form of words appears to us inconsistent with the opinion that the said rubric is merely directiva.
We may also observe that even the use of many colours, or rather the mixture of them, is laid down as an abuse to be abolished, and power is granted to the bishop to allow the use of such vestments in poor churches until they shall be no longer fit for use. If it be an abuse to use many colours, how much greater the abuse if a colour be used quite opposed to the rubric! It therefore seems to us that the opinion of Ferraris is at variance with what the Sacred Congregation of Rites lays down on this subject. He holds that the bull of St. Pius V., "non se extendit ad hanc rubricam de coloribus", and the Congregation of Rites says, "servetur strictim Rubrica quoad colorem indumentorum". Indeed we must say that all discussion appears to us to be set aside on this point by these decrees, particularly if we keep in view a decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites dated 23rd. May, 1846, which was afterwards approved and confirmed by the present Pope on the 17th July, 1848, and which is as follows: "Decreta a Sacra Congregatione emanata et responsiones quaecumque ab ipsa propositis dubiis scripto formiter editae, eamdem habeant auctoritatem, ac si immediate ab ipso summo Pontifice promanarent, quamvis nulla facto, fuerit de iisdem relatio Sanctitati Suae". We hold, therefore, that the rubric is praeceptiva, and ought not to be departed from unless in such cases where a real necessity would warrant us to do so; and we may add that we would not consider it lawful to use white vestments in a Requiem Mass, inasmuch as we cannot conceive what necessity could turn up to justify such a departure from the rubric. Much better would it be, in such a case, to say the Mass of the day occurring, or some other votive Mass.
With regard to the third question, we beg to say that the ciborium or particles ought to be placed on the altar-stone, and that not only during the consecration, but to the communion. The chalice and host must be placed on it, according to the rubric; of the missal, and we see no reason why the same thing is not to be done with the small particles which are to be consecrated. St. Alphonsus Liguori is clearly of this opinion: "Non igitur licet ante communionem ponere particulas consecratas extra aram". La Croix, treating of the same subject, says: "Post communionem sacerdotis possunt parvae hostiae ab eo consecratae poni extra aram in corporali"; and he gives the following reason: "Quia omnes sunt unica victima et per modem unius offeruntur". Indeed La Croix, for the same reason, states that it would be unlawful to have a second altar-stone, in case the one would not be large enough to hold the small particles together with the chalice and host: "Si unum portatile non possit cum hostia et calice capere omnes particulas consecrandas, illicitum esset has collocare et consecrare in alio portatili vicino". The best, and indeed the only remedy we can suggest, especially where there are many communicants, is to procure a large altar-stone. We have heard of some bishops declining to consecrate any stone that was under fourteen inches in length, and twelve inches in width, at least. It is unnecessary to observe that there is great danger, and irreverence too, in placing a large number of particles on a very small space or corner of an altar-stone, where an accident, and that of the most serious nature, is likely to take place at any moment. Perhaps it may not be amiss to remark, also, that those theologians who hold the opinion that the rubrics are merely directivae, except always such rubrics as are closely connected with the Most Blessed Sacrament, and maintain that those are praeceptivae. We conclude, therefore, that the ciborium or particles ought to be placed on the altar-stone, and if the altar-stone be too small for the chalice and host, it ought not to be used.