Every now and then, folks will offer to help by saying something like, "Give me one of those white things," as they gesture to their throat or collar. Or as I am describing my sometimes fast driving, they will comment, "Of course with that white thing you probably get out of a ticket." Each and every time they are referring to the Roman Collar. Whether for good or for bad, the Roman Collar, or Clerical Collar, is associated with priesthood. Of course the tab shirts which are common today are quite different than the clerical wear of thirty or forty years ago.
In actuality the Stole and not the Clerical Collar is the sign of priestly office. It had been widely believed that the stole was derived from the Jewish prayer shawl. More likely it is connected to a Roman scarf which was worn by government officials. The very early Christian documents mention the stole as part of the presbyters attire. Some early Christian writers, in commenting on Priesthood, speak of wearing the stole in relationship to putting on the yoke of Christ.
It is understood today that the stole is to be worn while presiding at Liturgy and sacramental rites. Evan without an alb (the long white garment) the stole should be worn while celebrating reconciliation and blessing people or objects.
One of the neatest parts of the priestly ordination is to receive the chalice and bread with the direction to imitate the mystery that we celebrate. That sort of sums up what priesthood is all about. Wearing a stole reflects back to Jesus stooping down to wash the feet of his disciples. At least for myself, putting on a stole is like putting on an apron, or my scuzzy clothes. Wearing a stole, and minitering under its symbolism, is one of the best parts of priesthood.
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