Why the extravagant costumes in the catholic religion?

Question

It seems wacky to me that a religion that professes to follow jesus doesn't even get it right when it comes to clothing. When jesus was on the earth he was said to wear simple clothes with sandals and whatnot, indeed he was in the lower/working class. Compare that to the bishops, priests and the pope who wear ridiculous hats and robes...much like the over-the-top pharisees that jesus despised. What gives?

PS: Sorry if it comes off that I'm picking on catholics...I honestly view all the religions I've investigated as equally silly, but everytime I see the catholic pope or a bishop, or even a priest on tv, it makes me cringe in embarrasement for them and the people that fall for it.

Answer 1

Vatican II addresses the issue and dictates a more simpler garb. The dress comes from the middle ages where you wore your wealth and it was the only wealth a priest was allowed to have.

Answer 2

The vestments worn by Catholic Clergymen resemble Roman attire worn by the typical Roman at the dawn of Christianity. The Church has simply maintained this form of attire over it's 2,000 year history.

The only difference between the vestments of the Catholic Church, and the typical style of Roman clothes at the time is that the Church has decorated the vestments with specific colors and Christian symbols.

Some of these vestments are more ornate than others. There are some really gaudy vestments out there, but there are also more traditional ones.

The only reason you cringe in embarrasement for Catholic clergymen is because you do not understand the history or meaning of the various vestments that Catholic clergymen where.

To claim to have "investigated" the Catholic Church, and not come away with an understanding of Catholic vestments leaves your technique a lot to be desired.

Be a little more thorough and a lot more open minded, and you will be less apt to embarass yourself in front of other Catholics.

Answer 3

The costumes you are talking about is the clothes used for the mass service. I do not have a Good answer for the reason they wear it. But they were different colors for different times of the year. Purple in and around Easter. The silly hats is to tell which is which. Priest do not wear hats at all. And if you seen a priest you would see him in black with a white collar, dress very plain. Catholics is not the only religion to wear as you say costumes for there services.

Answer 4

Protestant ministers/preachers, etc., are also not often seen in "simple" working-class clothes, with or without sandals, but instead often wear ribboned choir robes or at the very least a suit jacket and tie.

In simple historical terms, vestments for priests actually had their origins in the ordinary clothes of the Greeks and Romans. The symbolism that came to be associated with liturgical vestments is discussed here: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15388a.htm

Look at it this way: It's their dress uniform. Some military styles throughout history have been a little over-the-top on embellishments, as well.

Answer 5

Liturgical vestment have come through the ages, influenced by periods (they are not just influenced by one time or another), and are kept and added to as the Church moves through the centuries (particularly being added to as the priests have been asked to take more vows throughout the centuries).

As a priest is vested each means something:

amice (not commonly used anymore and would come up to to cover the head in respect) signifies the discipline of the voice as it is secured around the throat. Being the prophetic voice of God's word.

Alb- (under the outer vestments is white, a baptismal vestment comes from the Jewish liturgical dress of Exodus symbolizes the self-denial and chastity of a priestly life. (most Protestant denominations use the alb)

Cincture- wrapped and knotted around the waist, one knot for each vow the priest has taken is called the girdle of purity (all denominations that use the alb, use the cincture)

Maniple- a long folded strip of cloth wrapped around the arm symbolizes the bonds which held the hands of the Saviour as he awaited judgement, so the priest awaits judgement.

Stole- the yoke of the Lord. Is woren by all who are ordained at different levels. This is where vestment for Deacons stops. they wear the above and the stole.

Chasuble- Outer vestment. The Yoke of Christ as the stole is the yoke of the Lord they are matching (unity) and of the liturgical color for the season:

Green (growth, life) in ordinary time,

Purple (penance, atonement) Advent, Lent, Administering the sacrament of reconciliation (confession).

White (purity, hope, innocence) Easter, Christmas, special feast days, weddings.

Red (fire (Holy Spirit), blood (sacrifice)) Pentecost, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Sacrament of confirmation (Holy Spirit)

Rose (joy) worn half way through each penetenial sean (Lent, Advent) to remind joy is coming.

Black (mourning) funerals and all soul's day

These are the basic vestments. Why would you be embarassed?

Oh and Jesus did not despise the Pharisees, read your Bible again Jesus despised no one.

Answer 6

Actually, robes and vestments are mentioned in Leviticus as the garb for priests. Today's catholic priests and bishops are just following the traditions of the priests of the Old Testament. So, no need to cringe in embarrassment for them. You should actually be asking why other religions leaders dress like the rest of society.

Answer 7

Their vestments are part of the tradition of any apostolic church. They have their roots mainly in the Greco-Roman beginnings of the Church, as founded by Paul of Tarsus and Simon Peter. The clothing and costume have deep meaning for the celebrants and congregations in catholic and orthodox churches.

The more extravagant and expensive garb, I must admit, does seem out of place and teeter on the hypocritical. But I also think the same thing when I see preachers wearing suits and ties and nice shoes. The suit and tie combo is part of our ridiculous culture in the same way that the albs, frocks, miters, et cetera are part of that religious culture.

Answer 8

Hi Justin,,,, just wanted to say ,,, that it is wacky as you say ,,, I'm not knocking anyone down please .. listen I us to be a catholic ... now I am a born again Christian ...
the catholic's have been blinded by there leaders for years and years... the leaders by satan its true ... i am not just saying it they dont follow what JESUS CHRIST TEACHES.. they follow what the pope says and you wont even find pope in THE HOLY BIBLE. ... everything they teach is against what JESUS TAUGHT.... and the costumes are just that costumes nothing else, they worship mary first and foremost I know cause my mama and all my family do , they hate me cause I am a CHRISTIAN a follower of JESUS MY LORD AND GOD... the catholic's say that they are the true church... which is false , the first Church was in the upper room the one hundred and twenty that got the HOLY SPIRIT remember its in the book of ACTS. and they were not catholic they were the followers of JESUS.... the twelve , mary and all the otheres that followed HIM . were the first CHRISTIANS ... the CHURCH. JESUS THE HEAD AND THE CHRISTIAN THE BODY. PRAISE GOD...

Answer 9

It's all part of the ritual. a very important characteristic of any group of people is that they have ways of identifying themselves. Ways of being unique among the herd. Sports teams have separate jerseys, for examples, flags are all different etc. It's the same with religion. Each 'team' has their own rituals and practices to establish themselves as being different from other 'teams.' Pascal Boyer, a prominent anthropologist, has studied various religions all over the world. He says that the one thing they all have in common is rituals.

Answer 10

Cool hats and cute skirts. Catholics are okay in my book!