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.