I was given several stoles by a retired priest. And, as Albion suggests, I have also pursued the "gently used" market, with excellent results.
Michael
Yes. If we turn to the practical side of this issue--what the new priest is to do now--it's a fact that many parishes will give surplus vestments to new priests and also, as you very accurately reported, vestments that are available online, through Ebay for example, bring almost shockingly low prices considering what some of these items cost new.
PV->
I agree about a stole, but the rest would be a monumental waste of money.
__________________ Goodness is stronger than evil,
love is stronger than hate,
light is stronger than darkness,
life is stronger than death,
victory is ours through him who loved us.
(++Desmond Tutu)
PV->
I agree about a stole, but the rest would be a monumental waste of money.
But it would be a pretty and colorful waste of money
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But it would be a pretty and colorful waste of money
Your dioceses has lots of money to waste on colourful things?
__________________ Goodness is stronger than evil,
love is stronger than hate,
light is stronger than darkness,
life is stronger than death,
victory is ours through him who loved us.
(++Desmond Tutu)
Your dioceses has lots of money to waste on colourful things?
It was a joke. And truly, the list I gave was more a dream (I admit) then reality (although I truly meant it when I mentioned the stole, the surplice/cotta, and the pallium).
Sometimes I wonder if vestments might be a bit overpriced. I mean vestments like the cincture, the maniple, and the amice should be well within the budget of even a poor cleric, as well as the tippet, cassock, and alb (more of course [except the tippet], but within reason).
True, items like the tunicle/dalmatic/chasuble should be of fine quality, but to what extent? Should beauteous worship have to cost the proverbial arm and leg? A crosier for example needn't be capped in gold and encrusted in gems; it should look good but it doesn't have to be completely decked out. And even a chasuble could be made of good materials that are appealing to all the senses (well, except for one or two!) yet aren't anything outrageous.
A balance between extremes should be warranted.
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A crosier for example needn't be capped in gold and encrusted in gems; it should look good but it doesn't have to be completely decked out.
Our bishop has to have one that telescopes so he can take it as hand luggage on the aeroplane.
__________________ Goodness is stronger than evil,
love is stronger than hate,
light is stronger than darkness,
life is stronger than death,
victory is ours through him who loved us.
(++Desmond Tutu)
Well, I think if you do much sewing you'll see why nice vestments cost so much. Even if you went for something very plain, if you invested in a very good fabric and made them with a sewing machine you'd be shelling out some serious money. Fabrics, especially weightier ones, are expensive as are nice lining fabrics that give a good drape.
And as soon as you add a bit of piecing or embroidery the time involved becomes much more significant.
I really don't have a problem, where money is tight, seeing a priest celebrate with a cassock and surplice and stole - I think it looks very nice really, classic and kind of chanel-esque. That is about what I would think a priest should have of his own, it's a reasonable cost, flexible, and then then there is no need to wear other people's sweaty old cassocks. But really well made beautiful vestments are also worthwhile, but not really reasonable for most individuals to own. And when they come matched with the altar linens it seems even more silly.
I just wondered what the rational might be for telling them to buy their own stuff. Older priests in our diocese were not directed to do this, though some of course acquired things along the way.
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To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. For You are the Lord Most High, of great compassion, long-suffering, and very merciful, and You relent at human suffering. O Lord, according to Your great goodness You have promised repentance and forgiveness to those who have sinned against You, and in the multitude of Your mercies You have appointed repentance for sinners so that they may be saved.
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