The Biretta
The following is taken from Fr. John T. Zuhlsdorf's website www.wdtprs.com
The biretta is, in present times, most often seen on clerics with Episcopal rank. The biretta has never been abolished although many have the mistaken opinion that the biretta for priest was abolished by Pauline motu proprio.
The use of the biretta remains a requirement of the rubrics for the celebration of the Extraordinary form of the Roman Rite.
Its use is optional within the Ordinary form of the Roman Rite and in some areas are seeing a come back. It may be used in the celebration of Holy Mass, the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours, the celebration of the Sacraments as proper, and as part of Choir Dress. It is connected with liturgical celebrations and with the use of the Cassock.
The Roman Biretta is a square—shaped although at first glance it appears to be quadrangular. It has three "horns", or peaks, and a tuft of silk threads.
Birettas are permitted for priests, deacons, and seminarians, and would always be black in color and made from wool fabric.
If one is making use of the biretta the following guidelines should be followed----[From Father Z.----What does the Prayer really say?]
More info on the Biretta may be obtained from the book "The Church Visible" by James-Charles Noonan,Jr.
QUICKTIPS
· Carry the biretta in procession.
· Only the sacred ministers wear it when walking.
· Wear it when seated.
· Remove it BEFORE standing and recover only when seated again.
· Do not wear it kneeling.
· Uncover at the Holy Name by removing the biretta and lowering it to your right knee.
· Tip it in return if ministers bow to your direction as they pass before you or if they are heading to point X across the sanctuary and make the usual honorific bows.
· When wearing the biretta in choir, it is removed at any point where one would bow the head, i.e. at the Holy Name, or when all three Persons of the Trinity are mentioned together. It should also be removed at the name of the Blessed Virgin and of the Saint of the Day or Titular.
· Preachers can wear the biretta when preaching.
· Put it on correctly! If it is a three-horned biretta, what Italians call a "tricorno", the middle "horn" goes to the right side of your head so you remove and cover using your right hand.
· Servers should always offer the biretta so that the priest can grasp that middle "horn".
· When standing, hold the biretta with hands before your chest, using both hands, holding the bottom edge so that the biretta is above your hands.
· If in procession you are carrying a book, hold the book upright with the pages to the left and hook the top of the biretta in your lower fingers below the book.
· Hold the biretta before your chest as described above when standing when orations are sung, the Gospel is sung, you are being incensed, the blessing at the end, etc.
· Do not…not… sit on it!
There are some fast tips