Why does the priest wear vestments?

Answer 1

A stole is used to define the job of different clergies. A Priest wears two stoles by each side vertically and a deacon wears a stole on side way. == A stole must be worn by a Catholic priest during ceremonies and sacraments as it is a symbol of his priestly office, granting him and manifesting to all that he has the right, the authority and the jurisdiction to perform ceremonies and sacraments in which he is engaged.

Answer 2

It is a ceremonial costume, and is something between a cape and a tie. the Dolman, a sort of modified sleeveless vest is popular in parts of Europe as a costume for, among others, stage musicians, and seems to be somewhat related. It hangs loose over the top part of the body. Unlike a vest, it does not have buttons or pockets but suggests the bearer has a spedcial function, which a Priest or deacon surely does. The dolman or capelet also looks fine on females.

Answer 3

Vestments are to be worn, according to the rules of the Church, by the clergy in performing the ceremonies of the Church. The use of today's vestments stems from our roots, the Jewish Faith, and the priestly garments they used.

Here are just a few examples from The Bible.

In Exodus 28: 2-5 it says: "For the glorious adornment of your brother Aaron you shall have sacred vestments made. Therefore, to the various expert workmen whom I have endowed with skill, you shall give instructions to make such vestments for Aaron as will set him apart for his sacred service as my priest. These are the vestments they shall make: a breast piece, an ephod, a robe, a brocaded tunic, a miter and a sash. In making these sacred vestments which your brother Aaron and his sons are to wear in serving as my priests, they shall use gold, violet, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen.

In Exodus 35: 19 it says: "the service cloths for use in the sanctuary; the sacred vestments for Aaron, the priest, and the vestments worn by his sons in their ministry."

We Catholics find the roots of our priesthood in the tradition of Melchizedek. (CCC 1544)

In Genesis 14:18, Melchizedek offers a sacrifice of bread and wine. Christ therefore fulfilled the prophecy of Ps 110:4, that he would be a priest "after the order of Melchizedek," at the Last Supper, when he broke and shared bread with his disciples. Catholics take seriously Christ's command that the Apostles should "do this in memory of Me."

The Catholic Church continues to offer sacrifices of bread and wine at Mass, as part of the Sacrament of the Eucharist and in the order of the Jewish Priests, so they wear vestments.

Answer 4

A priest wears a stole at a wedding for the same reason he would wear a stole at any other time or place. It is a sign of his office as a priest.

A stole, when it draped around the neck, with both ends hanging down in front, is the proper vestment of a priest. As such, it is a badge or sign of his authority as a priest, and it is notice that he is "officiating" or performing some action belonging to his status as an ordained priest.

In a like fashion, a deacon wears a stole over the left shoulder, with the front end crossing the chest and fastened on the right hip, and with the back end similarly crossing the back to be fastened at the same place on the right hip.

Answer 5

As a sign of the office, just like a judge wears robes and a soldier wears a uniform

Roman Catholic AnswerHistorically, it is rooted in God's very explicit instructions for his priests in the Old Testament.

from Modern Catholic Dictionary by John A. Hardon, S.J. Doubleday & Co., Inc. Garden City, NY 1980

Vestments.

Special garments worn by the clergy, in conformity with Church regulations, at the celebration of the Mass, administration of the sacraments, in procession, when giving blessings, and in general whenever exercising their official priestly duties. The use of vestments goes back to the ritual garb of the priesthood of Aaron. In the Catholic Church, even in catacomb days, priests and bishops were specially, if not always distinctively, garbed when celebrating the liturgy. With the church's liberation and her emergence into public life, liturgical garments were commonly used to distinguish them from secular dress.