Why Do We Do That

those commonly worn by men sinfulness, which is covered by Why Do We in the 1700s. After it was a the righteousness of Christ, traditional collar worn only by symbolized by the white gown Do That? clergy, the clerical collar itself worn over the top. evolved into various types. Pastor Becker has both This is the first in a series of Many now only have a piece of types of vestments, gifts from articles Lutheran customs and plastic at the front. Some his grandfather. He wears the practices. pastors wear a clerical shirt cooler alb from Easter Sunday whenever on duty, some only until the last Sunday of the Vestments when leading worship, a few Church year. He wears the A preschool student once own no other shirts, and some cassock and surplice from the asked, when seeing Pastor don’t wear such shirts at all! First Sunday of Advent through Becker on the way to chapel, The gowns worn by pastors Lent (both penitential seasons), “Why are your wearing those for worship originate with the wearing only the black cassock God clothes?” Those “God robes worn by various on Good Friday. Beside the clothes” are called vestments, professions before modern relative warmth of the two types and the basic answer to the pants developed. Robes worn of gown, another practical question is: tradition. by judges and academic gowns reason for wearing each half the A pastor’s vestments are of professors, seen now only at year is so that they do not wear like a uniform that he wears graduation ceremonies, have the out as quickly. when he is performing his same roots. This was everyday During worship, pastors duties. Certain professions, clothing for pastors, teachers wear a colored “stole”, such as airline pilots, police, the and others at one time. The matching the color of the altar military, etc., wear uniforms black gown worn by pastors paraments, according to the partly to make them instantly today is called a cassock. season of the church year. This recognized as those who have a For worship, pastors would stole, placed on a pastor at his particular role, position or put on a clean white gown over ordination, is a symbolic yoke – authority. They also indicate their other clothing. In colder like that worn by oxen or other that these people’s actions, as climates, such as Germany, this draft animals – to indicate that well as their appearance, are to would be large and loose fitting he carries the responsibility for be uniform, that is, following to go over heavy, warm clothes. the spiritual care of the certain common standards, The loose fitting white gown congregation. rather than just determined by worn over a cassock is called a Some other clergy, beside their own preference or whim. surplice. In warmer climates, a Lutherans, also wear these or Many uniforms have more fitted robe was worn. The similar vestments, while the elements that are unique less flowing white gown worn clergy of some denominations because they are traditional. by pastors is called and alb do not. The use of traditional That is, they may have been a (from the Latin word for vestments by Lutheran pastors common item of clothing at one “white”). It is often worn with helps to draw attention to their time but, as styles changed, a rope belt called a cincture. At unique role in a service of what was worn by those in this one time it was more common worship rather than drawing uniform did not change. The for Lutheran pastors to wear a attention to themselves as hats of policemen and highway cassock and surplice. In more individuals. His expensive or patrol troopers, for example, are recent years, the alb has become cheap suit, flashy tie, etc., are similar to hats commonly worn more common. covered over by the symbols of by many at one time. Over time, a symbolic his office. Part of a pastor’s “uniform” significance has been attached Do you have an idea for a is the shirt with a “backward to the traditional vestments. Lutheran practice you would collar”, that is a clerical collar. The black clothing has been like explained? Suggest it to This type of collar evolved from seen as a symbol of human Pastor Becker. .

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