CLERICAL AND LAY VESTURE PROTOCOL FOR AUDIENCES, RECEPTIONS, AND COURTS within the Patriarchate of St. Stephen This document assumes knowledge of the terminology as used in the Manual of Clerical Vesture of the ARRCC, as well as of general decorum, dress, and protocol. This is also a general guide and notes that there are exceptions to these rules as mandated in canon law and norms of the Patriarchate. Wherever the ferraiolo is indicated as required, clerics may instead optionally use choir dress. Additionally, as appropriate, court dress, i.e., the choral habit without the rochet, may be used by prelates in place of the house cassock in situations below in which house dress is indicated.   I. Audiences with a Bishop Informal Private Audiences Clergy: The clerical habit (prelates: house cassock or daily-dress cassock), abito corto, or Civic Dress C (always with zucchetto),or tropical counterparts when so authorized. Laity: For gentlemen, informal, i.e., suit and tie; for ladies, dress of knee-length and covering the shoulders. Private Audiences Clergy: The clerical habit (prelates: house cassock) or abito corto, with optional ferraiolo, or tropical counterparts when so authorized. Laity: For gentlemen, informal, i.e., suit and tie; for ladies, dress of knee-length and covering the shoulders. Formal Private Audiences Clergy: The clerical habit (prelates: house cassock) or abito corto (Civic Dress A only), with ferraiolo required. If the tropical counterpart is used when so authorized, the ferraiolo is omitted. Laity: For gentlemen, formal, i.e., morning suit or court dress (white tie) during the day, or black or white tie in the evening; for ladies, dress of ankle or floor length and covering the shoulders. Public Audiences Clergy: Choir dress. For prelates, the cappa magna, mozzetta, or mantelletta is used in accordance with the norms of their use. Laity: For gentlemen, formal, i.e., morning suit or court dress (white tie) during the day, or white tie in the evening; for ladies, dress of ankle or floor length and covering the shoulders.   II. Informal Receptions At the Residence of a Bishop Clergy: The Bishop vests in house cassock, with or without ferraiolo. Others vest in the clerical habit (prelates: house cassock or daily-dress cassock), or abito corto, likewise with or without ferraiolo. Laity: For gentlemen, informal, i.e., suit and tie; for ladies, dress of knee-length and covering the shoulders. At another venue Clergy: For all, either the clerical habit (prelates: house cassock or daily-dress cassock), or abito corto, likewise with or without ferraiolo. Laity: For gentlemen, informal, i.e., suit and tie; for ladies, dress of knee-length and covering the shoulders.   III. Formal Receptions At the Residence of a Bishop Clergy: The Bishop vests in house cassock, with ferraiolo. Others vest in the clerical habit (prelates: house cassock or daily-dress cassock), or abito corto (Civic Dress A only), likewise with ferraiolo. (N.b. This practice is followed by a Bishop formally receiving a guest or dignitary at his residence or another suitable venue, even informally, unless rites or ceremonies are to take place requiring choir dress.) Laity: For gentlemen, formal, i.e., morning suit or court dress (white tie) during the day, or black or white tie in the evening; for ladies, dress of ankle or floor length and covering the shoulders. At another venue Clergy: For all, either the clerical habit (prelates: house cassock or daily-dress cassock), or abito corto (Civic Dress A only), likewise with the ferraiolo. Laity: For gentlemen, formal, i.e., morning suit or court dress (white tie) during the day, or black or white tie in the evening; for ladies, dress of ankle or floor length and covering the shoulders.   IV. Courts Formal Courts This refers to the specific rite as given in the Pontificale Anglicanum. Vesture for this is mandated in that book. Clergy: All clerics present are vested in choir dress. The Bishop vests in cappa magna and other prelates so entitled likewise vest in cappa magna or in mozzetta or mantelletta according to their grade. Laity: For gentlemen, formal, i.e., morning suit or court dress (white tie) during the day, or black or white tie in the evening; for ladies, dress of ankle or floor length and covering the shoulders. General Courts Clergy: The Bishop vests most formally in cappa magna (and this is mandated at certain times by custom), but otherwise in choir dress or court dress. Other clerics likewise vest in choir dress or court dress. Laity: For gentlemen, formal, i.e., morning suit or court dress (white tie) during the day, or black or white tie in the evening; for ladies, dress of ankle or floor length and covering the shoulders. Alternatively, depending on the specific occasion, for gentlemen, informal, i.e., suit and tie; for ladies, dress of knee-length and covering the shoulders. Informal Courts Clergy: For all, either the clerical habit (prelates: house cassock or daily-dress cassock), or abito corto (Civic Dress A only), likewise with the ferraiolo. Laity: For gentlemen, informal, i.e., suit and tie; for ladies, dress of knee-length and covering the shoulders.           [Document Archive] [Main Page]                   Entire Contents Copyright © 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church All Rights Reserved. The Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church is a trademark.