…that is the question. I’m thinking of starting to wear my cassock every day. Up til now I have worn ‘ordinary’ clerical dress every day except Friday (when we have our school mass) and Sunday.
What do readers think? Do you prefer to see your priest in cassock or black trousers and clerical shirt and jacket? Why one or the other?
Gosh, it would just be nice to have a priest that looked like a priest, period!I actually prefer the cassock, because, at first glance, there is absolutely no question about whom your looking at 🙂
As the cassock being a symbol of the office, clearly it must be preferred! In the words of Chesterton, “when men wish to be safely impressive, as judges, priests or kings, they do wear skirts, the long, trailing robes of female dignity.”…Not to say that you’re womanly, Father. Haha.
I would be happy to see a priest dress in clerical garb period…out west here, I rarely see them in either. I guess if pressed I like cassock.
Yes but wear a black cincture with it. Without, they can look pretty untidy.
Another vote here for the Cassock-the Cassock is a great way to maintain the Catholic Identity in a world where some protestant pastors wear the Clerical collar.
Cassock.
I prefer the cassock.
Definitely a cassock. I’m not sure why, but I have always felt priests in cassocks were more priestly. As if they were less preoccupied of adapting the signs of their office to “look normal”
CASSOCK!!
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Not a single doubt:CASSOCK!
I’ve loved the cassock ever since I first saw the John Wayne movie, “The Quiet Man”. Note the difference between the Presbyterian minister’s garb and that of the young priest. No contest!!!
climb steps much?X-men superheroes and prarie cowboys in long raincoats, popular in contemporary imagery give the cassock a macho, almost imperial cache…..but that can be blown to smitherines when one sees a padre hike the skirt fabric up with one hand (granny-like) when he runs up a staircase.I think cassocks look better, but which is more practical?
I say Cassock too. I do not like clerical suits; they make me think of Anglican vicars.
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Cassock, of course!
Cassock: they also hide a multude of sins – and no belly protruding over a belt (not that you have a belly!).
Cassock.And I agree with the cincture comment, it neatens things and reminds me of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Definately a cassock, but with a proper Roman collar, not a tab collar as in the photograph – that always seems a strange hybrid to me.
Cassock. A priest in a suit jacket is like a woman in a suit jacket – not bad, but could be so much better.And Father, if you’d grow a beard, you’d be the spitting image of St. Francis de Sales.
Cassock!And it is so practicable, since you can wear whatever you like under it.If properly made to measure, with plenty of room in it, there is nothing more comfortable.
Cassock. Call me crazy but a priest wearing one always gives me an impression of strength that ordinary clerical garb doesn’t.
Cassock, definitely.Though I have to admit, save for one incident earlier this year, I haven’t seen a priest wearing one since I was 10 (I’m 48 now), so it would be a very pleasant surprise to see one!
By all means, wear a (black) cassock on campus (church, rectory, school, etc.) where it can strengthen the community. But out in the desert, please follow the example of the 16th century Jesuits in China and India: identify with the highest ethical, intellectual and professional ideals of the leaders of the society you are working to influence. If this means a “black suit”, so be it; anyone who’s the least bit interested will quickly distinguish YOUR roman collar from that of a non-“Roman” cleric. And, here in the South-ern wasteland, your wearing a cassock “off the base,” is apt to trigger the reaction of those who will regard you as a secret spy for the Vatican. And they are legion. You know the mind-set, I’m sure. Need I mention BJU?
Wear the cassock! It sets you apart. I see protestant ministers in clerics sometimes but a cassock screams Catholic priest! Your students recognized the reverence and beauty in facing east for Mass. They’re ready to see you in a cassock daily! I double-dog dare you!
I would be happy to see a priest wearing clericals; here in Australia a priest wearing clericals is an endangered species. My preference is for the soutane around the church and presbytery but a black suit with white collar off the patch. Having said that though we are seeing more Muslim men wearing long robes and no one seems to mind.
I absolutely vote for the cassock! It conveys a certain timeless dignity that is of course always present, but the cassock I think gives it a more visible sign.
Cassock. It reminds the world that there are priests among us
I prefer just the clericals, mostly because the priests I have known in my adult life who wear cassocks are a bit dramatic. But again, I am this only applies to the ones I know. Most importantly, you should wear what you feel most comfortable in – be it clerics or cassock.
Cassock. I agree with julesofnc: “…a cassock screams ‘Catholic Priest!’.”It’s another symbol that can convey “It’s all true: God is real, and we can be one with Him!”~Margo
CASSOCKno question.Go for the gold!
The cassock if it is what you prefer but also tailor your clothing to what you are doing that day. If taking kids on a field trip or to a sporting event, simple black shirt pants and Roman collar might be more appropriate and still let you identify immediately as a priest.I’m all for being immediately identifiable as a priest but also believe especially in a work situation the garb should also fit the moment. comfort and safety is also important.
Cassock.But: Southern heat? Motorcycles?I like men in dresses. That’s why I’m Catholic.
Cassock, please – my priest wears it always, and it is a great witness.
When I see a priest dressed as a priest here ( Portugal), I and my girls are so happy that we feel we would like to clap very loudly because it’s a rare thing. We begin to see it again – rarely – in young priests. This week we went to Santiago de Compostela (Spain) and we saw a properly dressed priest ( hurrah) talking with another in CASSOCK !!! You could imagine our amazement and hapiness! I didn’t saw one like that since I was a little girl – the difference is, in that time, it was white, maybe because of the heat ( Angola, West Africa, Portugal at that time).So, to dress in a ecclesiastical way is so good, but if you have the courage to dress a cassock…go for it!
Either, but I think a Cassock would be very hot in the summer.
Definitely the cassock! Oh how I would love to see priests and religious LOOKING like priests and religious!What a statement of faith in a secular world. It’s interesting that the first priests and nuns to stop wearing clerical dress were the trendies. They were embarrassed by it.My daughter has joined a religious order and, thank the Lord, it is the discalced Carmelites and they wear a full habit.It is a wonderful sign of humility and submission to God.I find it interesting that Mother Teressa’s sisters can wear a habit with a veil in the middle of the roughest, non Christian places on earth, such as the slums of Calcutta, and yet our “trendy” nuns tell us that they can’t wear a habbit because it “restricts” their ministry!
I’m not sure the Cassock would be too hot in the summer. Anyway I was reading something the other day by Pius X in response to a group of nuns who wanted to secularise to keep teaching; he condemned it, and I’m sure he would roast those “trendy” nuns too.
Whoa,Lot’s of feedback here Fr. D! I must say you crack me up my friend :)Also, thanks for letting me know what you call that garb 😀 I vote Cassock also haha! I’m not even Catholic… does my vote still count?-g-
There I go commenting as my wife again… *sigh* That’s what happens when you start sharing a computer :DDid you decide on this yet?-g-