I had already celebrated a Mass that morning, so when I assisted at a funeral in a neighbouring parish, I did so in choro. This means I wore my black suede loafers, cassock and fascia. The fascia is a silk belt with fringe.
On my way, a passerby stopped me on the sidewalk to mention how nice it was to encounter a priest out-and-about on a lovely fall morning. We paused and talked under the shade of an elm tree.
Once inside, I donned a surplice, a white linen garment with gobs and gobs of lace. This is how a priest dresses for a Mass he is not celebrating. The amount of lace is up to his discretion, but in my opinion the more the better. After the Mass, the family expressed appreciation for how well-dressed I was.
