Yesterday, at our Parish Festival, a person commented on the Pope's red shoes and inquired as to why he wears shoes in that color.
Answer: Long before white became standard papal color, red was the color specified for the vestments of the Holy Father. Pope Pius V who reigned from 1566 to 1572 was the first to don the white vestments. Being a Benedictine priest, he chose to keep his habit when elected. A good and holy man, Pius was responsible for promulgating the Tridentine Missal (which remained virtually unchanged until Vatican II) and tying up the loose ends of the Council of Trent. He is reputed to have given large sums of money to the poor upon his election to the See of Peter. His humility was remembered by his immediate successors by donning white as the papal color. This tradition stuck beyond the immediate generations and continues today.
Red, at one time was the standard color because the Pope was a cardinal elected by and from the cardinals of Rome, a first among equals. Popes throughout the ages have kept red in certain haberdasheries. The papal camauro (red velvet white ermine lined cap) the red mozzetta, red shoes, and red wide stole are among some examples.
Feel free to send other questions or expand on this subject. Photo: Reuters
Answer: Long before white became standard papal color, red was the color specified for the vestments of the Holy Father. Pope Pius V who reigned from 1566 to 1572 was the first to don the white vestments. Being a Benedictine priest, he chose to keep his habit when elected. A good and holy man, Pius was responsible for promulgating the Tridentine Missal (which remained virtually unchanged until Vatican II) and tying up the loose ends of the Council of Trent. He is reputed to have given large sums of money to the poor upon his election to the See of Peter. His humility was remembered by his immediate successors by donning white as the papal color. This tradition stuck beyond the immediate generations and continues today.
Red, at one time was the standard color because the Pope was a cardinal elected by and from the cardinals of Rome, a first among equals. Popes throughout the ages have kept red in certain haberdasheries. The papal camauro (red velvet white ermine lined cap) the red mozzetta, red shoes, and red wide stole are among some examples.
Feel free to send other questions or expand on this subject. Photo: Reuters
No comments:
Post a Comment