Why do priests wear black? Where does the cassock come from?
Over the centuries Church clerics were required to wear distinctive garb to identify them as ordained clergy. Particular dioceses or national bishops’ conferences in various countries have established the norms for such clerical attire. In the early Church, no distinctive garb seems to have been worn, except of course liturgical vestments, which in some cases were also worn outside the celebration of sacraments. For instance, sometimes bishops and priests wore the chasuble like regular clothing, as did the deacons with the dalmatic. By the 6th century clerics and nobility retained the traditional Roman style of clothing of a long tunic and cloak. The male laity began wearing a short tunic, breeches, and mantle clothing introduced by the barbarian tribes. Also at this time (6th century) the cassock as we know it originated in France and was given the Latin name “pillicia” (or “pelisse” in early French), meaning skin or hide. The name signifies that the long tunic was lined with fur to p
