The distinct cloths that are used for the celebration of mass and other official acts of worship have developed over the centuries. From their origins as clothing for significant members of Roman society to poncho-cut cloth that is used at mass. The Church’s liturgical norms prescribe specific vestment colors for various celebrations. The purpose of utilizing different colors for vestments is twofold: firstly, the colors highlight the particular liturgical season and the faithful’s journey through these seasons and secondly, the colors punctuate the liturgical season by highlighting a particular event or particular mystery of faith. Liturgical colors are specific colors used for vestments and hangings within the context of Christian liturgy. The symbolism of violet, blue, white, green, red, gold, black, rose and other colors may serve to underline moods appropriate to a season of the liturgical year or may highlight a special occasion.
There is a distinction between the color of the vestments worn by the clergy and their choir dress, which with a few exceptions does not change with the seasons of the liturgical year.
Traditionally, black was used at all Masses of the dead and funeral Masses, on All Soul’s Day, and on Good Friday. Black vestments were also used during the penitential seasons of Advent and Lent, and on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. In the Novus Ordo (Post 1965), black is not to be used on Good Friday, but may still be used at the other Masses (though violet and even white are also permitted, and in practice preferred). There is no reason why a priest could not, in the Novus Ordo begin to use black vestments at least for All Soul’s Day – and even for funerals and Requiem Masses. Considering the antiquity of the color, it is somewhat surprising that black is used far less often today than is violet – while many Catholics have seen violet used (in Advent and Lent), nearly a whole generation has never ever seen a black vestment.
Black signifies mourning, but not simply mourning in general. Rather, black directs us in a particular way to mourn and pray for the dead. While white is a color of festivity and rejoicing, violet is the color which signifies penance and sorrow for sin.
However, violet directs us more to mourning for our own sins, and to performing penance for our own wretchedness. Black, on the other hand, helps to direct us to mourn not for ourselves but for the deceased. This is why black is so fitting for the funeral Mass (as well as Requiems and All Souls’). The color reminds us to pray for the dead.
The funeral Mass is not really about the family – though there are certainly many prayers for the consolation of those who mourn. Rather, the funeral Mass is primarily for him who has died. Nearly every prayer is for the forgiveness of his sin (i.e. of the temporal punishment of sin). Funerals are not primarily for the living; they are for the dead – whatever anyone (even if he be a priest) may tell you! This is why it makes no sense – theologically – to wear either white or even purple for a funeral Mass or Requiem. On a symbolic and theological level, the somber and reserved tone of black vestments can be understood as a reminder of the sorrowful reality of sin (personal and original) and the reality of death which entered the world with the Fall. It manifests a kind of holy and prudent reserve. It can emphasize the reality of purgatory and the need for prayers which we should offer for the dead, one of the seven spiritual works of mercy. As the Traditional Latin Mass requires black vestments for All Souls Day, as well as funeral masses and Requiems, the reemergence of this liturgical color should only increase in the coming years. Rev. Fr. John D’Silva of Sáligão says, ‘I was ordained in 1985 and never used black vestments since my ordination. I do not think, wearing of black vestments would ever be revived in Goa’. With many younger priests learning both forms of the Roman Rite, hopefully we will slowly begin to see white vestments give way to the traditional black in more and more parishes. [11:56, 22/03/2024] +91 70577 04853: The infrequency of black vestments in modern times may be due to a change in how we approach funerals in our society. We tend to see funerals now as celebrations of the departed’s life, rather than corporate prayer for the repose of their soul. This is an unfortunate trend, because one of the spiritual works of mercy is to pray for the dead. It’s easy to forget to do that if we allow funerals to become de facto canonization Masses, declaring the departed to be already among the saints in heaven (even though this may be our hope). Another reason black vestments are not often used is more practical. Vestments cost money. If black is optional, and the clergy can get by with a color they already have on hand such as white or purple, then why spend the cash? Black vestments are quite striking, in part because of the rarity of their use. When one enters the church and sees the ministers not in green, white, red or purple, but stark black, it is jarring because it is different. It gets our attention. It tells us that it is ok to grieve, and reminds us of our duty to pray for the dead.