Basics of the Biretta
The biretta is a square cap with three or four peaks or horns, worn by clergy in the Church. The biretta has a stiff board on the top with three or four points, and it is often adorned with a tuft or pom-pom at the center. Bishops typically wear a biretta with four peaks, while lesser clergy, such as priests and deacons, wear one with three peaks. While birettas are often black, some other colors are used as well.
The Symbolism of the Biretta
The peaks on the biretta have symbolic meaning. The three peaks on the biretta worn by lesser clergy are said to represent their threefold ministry: teaching, sanctifying, and governing. The four peaks[1] on the biretta worn by bishops are said to represent the bishop’s jurisdiction over a diocese in addition to the threefold ministry. The added peak signifies the bishop’s role as a shepherd overseeing the flock entrusted to him.
The biretta is a symbol of the priest’s role as judge. As the Ritual Notes website poignantly states:
“It is worn while seated and it is traditional to wear it while giving absolution at confession as a sign of juridical power. Contrast the custom to English judges who, to this day, put on a black cap when pronouncing a death sentence. Priests wearing the biretta in absolution are pronouncing a sentence of life.”
Who Wears the Biretta
Priests in religious orders (e.g., Dominicans) do not usually wear birettas, though the canons of the Order of Prémontré (i.e., the Premonstratensian or Norbertine Order) wear a white biretta. The standard black biretta is also part of the habit of some other religious communities of the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri.
When Is the Biretta Worn
The biretta is not worn during the celebration of the Mass itself but is commonly worn during certain processions and formal liturgical ceremonies. For instance, prayers said at a grave will often be done by a priest vested in cope and biretta.
The Biretta is not worn – i.e., it is removed – when the Holy Name of Jesus is said or in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. This underscores the reverence we give Our Lord’s Real Presence and His Name.
As Ritual Notes stresses:
“Removing the biretta at the Holy Name is a reminder for all to bow their heads. When this is done regularly, two things will emerge: the people will pay more attention to the readings and sermon, and they will develop a devotion to the Holy Name.”
The Changes Concerning the Biretta in the 1962 Missal
Prior to the 1962 Missal, the biretta was always to be worn, with the standard exception being priests in religious orders who would wear their hood or capuce instead.[2] But the weakening changes in discipline and liturgy in the years preceding Vatican II led to changes in a number of finer rubrical elements, including discontinued wearing of the biretta at the start of Mass. And while it may seem like a small change, Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s words nevertheless apply: “It is a long-established principle of the Church never to completely drop from her public worship any ceremony, object or prayer which once occupied a place in that worship.”
Restore the 54, a website dedicated to rediscovering the richness of the pre-1955 Liturgy prior to the changes, states: “At the start of Mass, it is common in most places that the celebrant processes to the altar while wearing a biretta.”
It goes on to explain[3] that it was an omission of text in the new liturgical books which led to priests abandoning the biretta en masse. As with many changes that took place after Vatican II, the loss of this tradition was never mandated but simply assumed under a spirit of laxity which held, “unless you specifically tell me to do it, I can disregard it, even if it is an immemorial tradition.’ This of course is not an authentic Catholic spirit, which always reveres tradition and adheres to the words of Archbishop Sheen above.
Everything in the Liturgy Speaks of the Faith
The next time you see the priest process in with the biretta, think of the symbolism of his office as teacher, sanctifier, and governor when you see the peaks of the biretta. If the priest is not accustomed to wearing one, or if he does not wear one while giving absolution, send him this article and invite him to pick up this tradition in honor of the Church’s heritage. It is important that we not lose our Catholic heritage in things either large or small.
END NOTES:
[1] A four-peaked biretta is worn as academic dress (but not liturgically) by those holding a doctoral degree from a pontifical university or faculty.
[2] For those interested in the Dominican Liturgy, the New Liturgical Movement website has an article on the Dominican use of the capuce at https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2008/06/dominican-use-of-capuce.html
[3] Restore the 54 website explains: “This [wearing of the biretta] is of ancient origin and the reason why the amice is first touched to the head prior to being worn around the shoulders and neck. The origin of the removal of the biretta for Mass comes from the 1962 Missale Romanum. Prior to the 1962 edition, the Ritus Servandus had always stated:
“‘The priest, clothed in all vestments, takes with his left hand the Chalice, as prepared above, which he carries raised in front of his chest, holding the Bursa with his right hand over the Chalice, and having done reverence to the Cross, or to the image thereof, which shall be in the Sacristy, he approaches the Altar with his head covered, the minister with the Missal and other things necessary for the celebration…’”
However, in the 1962 Roman Missal, the rubrics omit the phrase “with his head covered.”
Restore the 54 continues: “The complete omission of the phrase ‘with covered head’ is interpreted by most to mean that the use of the biretta is not required at Mass and therefore should be omitted. However, some rubricians stress that this is a relaxation and not a ban on the biretta. On the contrary, most tend to interpret the omission in the text as meaning the omission of the biretta for Mass.”