Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Vestment on the Rise

A particularly beautiful vestment, the dalmatic has not seen a lot of use as of late. In protestant traditions, it has seen less use as the office of the diaconate has fallen by the wayside. In the Roman church, it has fallen out of use in general following Vatican II. The Orthodox still regularly use a form of the dalmatic.


Both the dalmatic and tunicle are not forbidden in good Lutheran liturgical tradition. In fact, Ms. S. Anita Stauffer states that "the principal assisting minister (liturgical deacon) may wear a dalmatic over the alb for festive celebrations." This notion of the "liturgical deacon" is known in modern parlance as the assisting minister – this post being served by both laity and clergy.

Should we use the dalmatic and its little brother the tunicle? Sure not in congregations which do not even use a chasuble. But if there is a Eucharistic service were the presiding minister wears a chasuble (or any of the Office were the presiding minister wears a cope), I see no issue with an assistant wearing the dalmatic.

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