The Eucharistic Vestments, Their Symbolism, and Evangelical Vesting PrayersSee the reverse for photographs and pricing

Cassock

Amice

Alb

Cincture

Maniple

Stole

Chasuble

The cassock was the everyday wear of the clergy: simple and black to show both the sins of the wearer and the dignity of the office. The 30 buttons indicate the age at which Christ began his earthly ministry. The cassock as everyday wear has been replaced by the clergy shirt, whose notch is meant to imitate the notch in the neck of the cassock. Now the cassock is mainly worn only during Divine Service.

The amice developed from a hood once worn by the clergy and symbolizes the helmet of salvation. Today it also serves a very practical purpose: protecting the fabric of the chasuble.Vesting prayer: “Place, O Lord, on my head the helmet of salvation, that so I may resist the assaults of the devil.”

The alb developed from the everyday wear of a Roman citizen but soon came to be valued for its symbolic value, showing the white robe of Christ's righteousness. Vesting prayer:“Make me white, O Lord, and cleanse my heart; that being made white in the Blood of the Lamb I may receive an eternal reward.”

The cincture serves as a belt to hold all the vestments underneath the chasuble in an orderly arrangement. Vesting prayer: ”Gird me, O Lord, with the cincture of purity, and quench in my heart the fire of concupiscence, that the virtue of continence and chastity may abide in me.”

The maniple developed from a small towel or handkerchief used by the celebrant during the service. Though little used today its symbolism is valuable: it reminds the celebrant that the ministry is in the way of the cross. Vesting prayer: "May I worthily, O Lord, bear the maniple of weeping and sorrow in order that I may joyfully reap the reward of my labors.”

In the Roman world various orders of society wore different colored strips of cloth to show their office. This tradition remained with the clergy and the stole is now the main symbol of the pastoral office. Vesting prayer: “Restore to me, O Lord, the stole of immortality which I lost through the sin of my first parents and, although unworthy to approach Your Sacrament, may I nevertheless be declared in Christ worthy of eternal joy.”

The chasuble developed from the poncho-like overcoat worn in ancient times. It soon became associated with the yoke of Christ and the pastoral office. It is worn only by the celebrant at the Divine Service. Vesting prayer: "O Lord, who has said, ‘My yoke is sweet and My burden light,’ grant that I may carry it in a manner that accords with Thy grace."

About DK Brunner & Son Vestments:

Frustrated with the lack of quality, affordably priced vestments for the Lutheran clergyman, Pastor Heath Curtis combed through liturgical reference works to find patterns for the traditional Lutheran liturgical vestments. He then sent these off to his mother, Mrs. Donita Brunner, an experienced and talented seamstress. Mrs. Brunner was able to take the information and create a complement of patterns to fully outfit the liturgical Lutheran pastor.

After years of tweaking and perfecting these vestments for her son, Mrs. Brunner is now able to provide an entire vestry full of fine garments for both Eucharistic and non-Eucharistic services.

Each garment is specifically tailored and cut according to order. These are not "off the rack" vestments as from a church supply store: these are your vestments cut for your frame and hand-sewn specifically for you in accord with your preferences.

Pr. Curtis and his mother believe that the beauty of quality vestments should be available to every Lutheran pastor. Thus the quality of these vestments exceeds standard church suppliers like CPH, Almy, and Cokesbury and yet costs a fraction of those outfitters' retail prices.

Pastor Curtis serves a parish in the St. Louis area and is available for individual consultations and fittings by appointment: (618) 459-3979, email: pastorcurtis@gmail.com

Pastor Curtis will be coming to campus in late Jan/early Feb. Watch the daily announcements.