Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest

A Priest’s Preparation for Holy Mass (Part 3)

Whereas the simple priest has the essence of Christ’s Priesthood (the power to offer Mass and absolve from sin), the bishop possesses the fullness of this priesthood (the power to perfect the work of sanctification and to ordain other priests and ministers). In the sacred liturgy this fullness of the priesthood is expressed by the    additional vestments the bishop wears while celebrating a Pontifical Mass. He is completely covered literally from head to toe.

Along with all the other vestments a simple priest wears while saying Mass, the bishop wears special       stockings and sandals on his feet. They represent that the bishop to to walk in the ways of our Lord and to carry the Gospel of Christ. He prays while putting them on, “Shod my feet, O Lord, in the preparation of the Gospel of Peace and protect me under the shadow of Thy wings.”

The bishop also wears the pectoral cross which contains the relics of saints. He prays that by the sign of Christ’s most holy Cross that he would be strengthened against all the snares of the enemy and that he would have always in his memory the saving Passion and death of Our Lord and the victories of Christ’s holy      martyrs.

The bishop dons also with the chasuble the subdeacon’s tunic and the deacon’s dalmatic. Both vestments    signify joy and gladness and worn together show that the bishop has the fullness of the sacrament of Orders.

The bishop’s hands are covered in silk gloves with the cross or the Holy Name embroidered into it. Making allusion to how the patriarch Jacob covered his hands with kids’ skins in order to present his father Isaac food and drink and obtain his father’s paternal blessing, the Pontiff prays that, presenting the saving Victim, our Lord Jesus Christ who offered Himself for us taking on our sinful flesh, he may be worthy of the Almighty’s blessing.

On the bishop’s head is placed the miter of which there are three types used according to the Liturgical season or the ceremony: the Precious miter which is bedecked in gemstones and gold embroidery, the gold miter which is made of gold cloth, and the simple miter made of white silk. “O Lord, place upon my head the miter and helmet of salvation, that through the ambushes of the ancient archenemy and of all my enemies I may pass by unhindered.”

Finally, the bishop receives the ring, the symbol of his attachment to his diocese and to his flock. With it, he implores the Lord that he may be arrayed with virtue and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

Just as our clothing expresses the importance of an occasion and our own dignity, so likewise the vestments worn by the priest or bishop at holy Mass reminds him and us of sacredness of the holy sacrifice and his priestly dignity which does not come from himself, but from God who, out of his goodness, gives freely of his gifts as He so chooses.                                                             Canon William Avis, Rector, Old St. Patrick Oratory

In this bulletin and the previous two, we have reproduced a series of letters from Canon William Avis to his parishioners at Old St.   Patrick Oratory in Kansas City, Mo. This was done with Canon Avis’s permission and we thank him for allowing us to use them.

PRO-LIFE PRAYER VIGIL: November 21,  2009

Come join Fr. Moreau and members of the TLM community in praying with others from the Oakland Diocese for a stop to abortion and for a change of heart on the part of all those whose involvement deny the sanctity of life. The vigil will take place on Saturday, the 21st of November, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the clinic located at 200 Webster Street in   Oakland. This clinic does a thriving business offering as their only "service" the ending of human life. Every young girl who enters the clinic does so for one expressed  purpose: to end the life within her. Join Father Moreau after the prayer vigil for Mass back at St. Margaret Mary's at 10:00 a.m. (Directions to the clinic: 880 south or north...take the Broadway exit...head towards Jack London Square....turn left on 3rd Street and right on Webster.)  Those who are interested in praying at the clinic on a regular basis with other members of the Diocese can make a note that for November and     December the vigils will be held on the 1st Tuesday and the 3rd Saturday of the month from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.  Beginning in January the schedule will be the 2nd Tuesday and the 4th Saturday.