1. Why does the church change colours all the time, including the priest?
It might seem like the Church is “changing colours,” but it’s actually a long-standing tradition, especially in the Catholic Church and some other Christian denominations.
The colours you see (on the priest’s clothing and in church decorations) follow something called the liturgical calendar, which marks different seasons and celebrations throughout the year. Each colour has a meaning:
- White (or gold): Joy and celebration. Used for major feasts like Christmas and Easter
- Purple (or violet): Preparation and repentance. Seen during Advent and Lent
- Green: Ordinary time (regular weeks of the year) Symbolizes growth and daily faith
- Red: Passion, sacrifice, or the Holy Spirit Used on Pentecost and for martyrs
- Pink (rose): A lighter, joyful break during serious seasons. Appears briefly during Advent and Lent
So the priest’s outfit (called vestments) changes colour to match the meaning of the season or celebration; it’s like a visual way of telling the story of the Church year.
2. Does the bishop have to wear the mitre only with the chasuble, or can he wear it with the alb or the tunic?
A bishop’s mitre isn’t tied specifically to the chasuble; it’s tied to his office and the liturgical action, not just one vestment.
In practice:
- The mitre is worn during liturgical celebrations when a bishop is presiding (e.g., Mass, processions, blessings), regardless of whether he’s wearing the chasuble.
- At Mass, the bishop often removes and puts on the mitre at specific moments (for example, he doesn’t wear it during prayers like the Eucharistic Prayer), even though he remains vested in the chasuble.
- Outside of Mass, he can wear the mitre with other vestments such as the alb (for certain rites) or cope (for processions, benedictions, etc.).
So yes, he can wear the mitre with an alb or other vestments. It’s not restricted to being worn only with the chasuble. What matters is the role he’s fulfilling in the liturgy, not just the outer garment.
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