Why does the priest wear the chasuble during only part of the service?
August 2, 2008
Q: I noticed that Father Chip has one of his vestments hanging over the altar rail at the beginning of the service. He puts it on later in the service, then removes it before the end and hangs it back on the altar rail. Why?
A: As with nearly all of our ancient Faith practice, we’re formed by the things we see. Those visual clues—the silent sermons—in the liturgy, the altar, its adornments, the sacred vessels, and the vestments assist us in growing our Faith and relationship to our Lord. Not surprisingly, then, there is a silent sermon with donning the chasuble, as well.
The most conspicuous garment worn by the priest during Mass is the chasuble, or outer vestment, from the Latin casuala, meaning “small house.” The beauty and dignity of this most visible Eucharistic vestment is essential in a properly ordered liturgy. When a new priest receives the chasuble at his ordination, the bishop exclaims to him, “Receive the sacerdotal (sacred and priestly) garment, for the Lord is powerful to increase in you charity (love) and perfection (holiness, completion).” The chasuble literally and symbolically overlays all the other vestments—as all other virtues begin with and rely on the supreme virtue of charity—God’s unchanging love that can make us all complete in Him.
Father Chip dons this last and most comprehensive vestment to signal the holiest work at the altar is about to begin. In ancient times, it heralded the end of the Mass of the Catechumens—also called the ante-communion—that part of the service those being trained for confirmation (catechumens) were allowed to worship in. When the chasuble was donned, it silently instructed the catechumens to depart while calling those who had been confirmed—the faithful—to prepare for the Canon (standard) of the Mass—the consecration of the Body and Blood of our Lord to be distributed to His people.
The silent sermon here reminds us all we are allowed to the Holy Table only by God’s Grace and partake of it unworthily at great peril. It tasks us to examen, confession, and submission to our Lord before celebrating His one sacrifice and taking His nature for ours. It also reminds us of our baptism in the Holy Spirit and fire—and our immersion by that inward and spiritual grace in the Lord Himself.
Once the Canon of the Mass ends and we have taken upon us Christ’s nature through the Sacraments, Father Chip removes the chasuble as the signal that we are now ready to be sent into the World to carry God’s Grace and to demonstrate our lives in Him to the World.
Removing the outer garment preaches to us that we are open to the world’s inspection and are ready to work in the fields for the Kingdom. The ancient Church underscored this in the dismissal when they used the Latin “Ite, missa est,” meaning “Go, you are sent,” referring to our work continuing the work of the Apostles—carrying the Good News to the World around us!
Thanks for asking!
You can learn more about the clergy and altar vestments in the Altar Guild Manual (in the Members area) and in Chapter IV of Plain Suggestions for a Reverent Celebration of the Holy Communion.
What does the Bible say about worry?
July 21, 2008
Q: In these uncertain times, I can’t help but worry and expect the worst. Does Scripture address this?
A: There are many Scriptures, a sampling of which follows, about faith, trust, peace, and joy. God tells us not to worry but to trust in Him.
Proverbs 15:13
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:15
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:30
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Psalm 4:7
You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.
Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 19:8
The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 30:11
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
Psalm 33:1
Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Psalm 33:3
Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
Psalm 47:1
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
Psalm 51:8
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 66:1
Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
Psalm 71:23
My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you— I, whom you have redeemed.
Psalm 81:1
Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
Psalm 92:4
For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.
Psalm 94:19
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.
Psalm 95:1
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Psalm 126:5
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.
Psalm 126:6
He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Ecclesiastes 8:15
So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.
Isaiah 30:15
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.”
Nahum 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.
Luke 12:22-29
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.
John 14:1
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me.”
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.
1 Thessalonians 1:6
In spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:16
Be joyful always.
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
James 1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.
What are Healing Prayers?
July 10, 2008
Q: The bulletin says healing prayers are available between Sunday services or any time requested. What are healing prayers and how do I request them?
A: Scripture tells us:
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15)
Our clergy and prayer intercessors are always ready to call on the power of the Holy Spirit in prayer to bring healing of body, mind, and spirit. We know that God always heals. Read the stories of God Working in Our Lives for personal testimonies of parishioners who have experienced the healing power of the Lord. We acknowledge, however, that God’s healing may come in our earthly life or in our heavenly life. If He does not heal us immediately, He will give us the strength to handle our illness. We are to “call the elders;” the elders (priests) are to “pray and anoint with oil.” Healing comes from God.
The clergy may also administer Holy Unction, the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. In An Outline of an Anglican Life, Louis Tarsitano describes Holy Unction this way:
This sacrament consists of the anointing with oil and (or) laying on of hands by a bishop or priest, as the outward and visible sign of the healing power of God, both physical and spiritual, given as God determines is most expedient for the person receiving it.
If you need healing prayer, ask one of the clergy between Sunday services or after Koinonia or Wednesday evening services. You may also call the office to request healing prayer.
Why do we have Communion every week?
July 7, 2008
Q: When I was growing up in the Episcopal Church, we had Communion only twice a month. When I first started to coming to All Saints, it was the same. Now we have Communion every week. Why?
A: Although Holy Communion (Eucharist, Mass) may not have been regularly celebrated in many churches in recent years, throughout history it has been the primary service of the Church. In the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, the services for Morning and Evening Prayer are “Daily Morning Prayer” and “Daily Evening Prayer.” Another indication that these “daily offices” are to be used daily rather than on Sunday is that there is no provision for a sermon. On the occasions we’ve had Morning Prayer at All Saints, the bulletin reads “Morning Prayer and Sermon” because Morning Prayer doesn’t call for a sermon. The Morning Prayer service concludes, then the sermon is preached.
Celebrating the Mass weekly was the practice of the early Church as well as the Anglican tradition. We need to spiritually nourish ourselves with the Body and Blood of our Lord on a regular basis. Jesus told us to “do this in remembrance of Me.” We celebrate the Eucharist every week in remembrance of Him.
What is Compline?
July 5, 2008
Q: What is that service that sometimes happens after Koinonia … Compline?
A: Compline is an ancient monastic service that is one of the Hourly Offices, prayers to be said throughout the day. The practice of daily prayer goes all the way back to the Old Testament and continued in the early Church into today.
Anglicans are generally familiar with Morning and Evening Prayer. Other Hourly Offices include:
Lauds - Dawn/Sunrise
Prime - 6:00 A.M. (Start of the day)
Terce - 9:00 A.M. (Third Hour of the day)
Sext - 12:00 Noon (Sixth Hour of the Day
None - 3:00 P.M. (Ninth Hour of the day)
Vespers - Dusk/Sunset
Compline - Just prior to retiring for the day
The offices other than Morning and Evening Prayer are often known as the “Little Offices” and are shorter than Morning or Evening Prayer.
The Order for the Hourly Offices can be found on the CommonPrayer.org Web site along with information on the hourly offices according to Anglican use.
Why does the Bishop slap confirmands?
July 3, 2008
Q: When Bishop Bena was here to confirm and receive new members, he slapped each new confirmand on the cheek. Why did he do that?
A: The slap on the cheek reminds us that we will always face tribulation in this world.
With the empowerment of the Holy Spirit at confirmation, we can face whatever comes our way.
