…and why is he dancing with that little girl?

In New York’s Capital Region we have several public access TV stations. One of the stations carries a Polka show (I think its called Polka Joe – but I’m not sure). Anyway, this gentleman travels from Polka event to Polka event and films the events. The events are later broadcast via public access. It’s a niche demographic.

A week or two ago one of my staff members caught up with me to tell me that her mother-in-law was watching this Polka show and saw this guy in a dress dancing with a little girl. She called her over to see a scene filmed at my parish’s annual PolishFest. My staff member looked closely and saw that it was my daughter and me.

Q. Who’s that man in a dress?
A. He is a deacon at that church.
Q. Why is he dancing with a little girl?
A. It’s his daughter.
Q. Why is he wearing a dress?
A. Clerical attire.

All sorts of hilarity ensued.

When I attend a public event – especially at the parish, I wear a cassock and cincture. I also have a biretta, but that only comes out for liturgical events. What I found most interesting is that the person asking is probably old enough (and Roman Catholic enough) to remember cassocks, birettas, etc.

I was born just prior to Vatican II and remember my pastor walking his dogs wearing a cassock and biretta. I remember the way he came to the altar wearing the biretta, and then removed it as he ascended the steps. The priests of that day may have worn a “dress” and a funny hat but they were men.

I personally hope that their use becomes more prevalent. Beyond the basic message the cassock conveys (remember at tonsure you are reminded that you are no longer adorned in the fashion of the world – ab omni servitute saecularis habitus hunc famulum tuum emunda, ut dum ignominiam saecularis habitus deponit, tua semper in aevum gratia perfruatur), wearing a cassock make the balance of the liturgical garments a clergy member wears look far better. The lines are cleaner and you don’t look messy with pant cuffs hanging below your opaque alb (bleh…).

Just a little story outlining the things lost in the twilight zone called V-II.