Understanding the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

[Sadly, many Catholics no longer know which of the following vestments our priests are required to wear while celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and what each vestment symbolizes. The following synopsis of this information will aid us in better understanding Who is present at and What is really happening at the Mass.]

(Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The vestments worn by the priest have the following symbolic meanings: the amice symbolizes the linen cloth that the soldiers put over our Lord’s head to blindfold him before they struck him; the alb is the garment which Herod clothed our Lord; the cincture is the cord that bound our Lord to the pillar when he was being scourged; the maniple represents the rope whereby our Lord was led and the chains which bound His Sacred hands; the stole is the cords with  which Jesus was tied and because it is worn over the shoulders, a reminder of the cross which our Lord carried; and the chasuble is the purple cloak which our Lord wore when He stood before Pilate. 

Father Winfrid Herbst, S.D.S.