At an ordination Mass a new deacon is vested for the first time in a dalmatic and a deacon's stole, and a new priest in a chasuble and a priest's stole — traditionally a gift from his family, his parish or his seminary. Because ordination is one of the most festive days of the liturgical year, ordination Mass vestments are traditionally white, with gold often used for greater solemnity; I hand-embroider both sets in Poland, and you can see the designs in our dalmatics collection and our hand-embroidered chasubles.
Which ordination vestments does a new deacon receive?
He receives a dalmatic and a deacon's stole, and he wears both for the first time during the deacon ordination itself. The dalmatic is the outer vestment proper to deacons, richly embroidered and open under the arms, while the stole runs diagonally across the chest from the left shoulder. Many deacons keep this first set for their whole ministry, which is why I cut every dalmatic to measure and embroider it by hand on wool, brocade or linen. Our deacon stoles show how the diagonal stole is finished in this style.
What does a newly ordained priest wear for the first time?
A new priest is clothed in a chasuble and a priest's stole immediately after his hands are anointed, and he celebrates the rest of the Mass in them. From that moment he is dressed exactly as he will be at every Mass of his life, which is why the first chasuble carries such weight. It is traditionally a gift from his family, his home parish or his seminary, and it is often kept for decades — many priests reserve it for solemnities and, years later, for their jubilee. I advise a classic cut and solid embroidery rather than a fashion that will date within a few years.
What colour is worn at an ordination Mass?
White is the traditional colour, because the Church keeps ordination as a feast for the whole community. Gold is often used for greater solemnity, either with white or in its place. Since a newly ordained priest will need every colour of the year in his first months of ministry, I keep the full range of liturgical colours in stock.
Who wears what during the ordination ceremony?
Each minister receives the vestment proper to his new order, and the ordaining bishop presides in his insignia. This is the overview I give to sacristans preparing such a ceremony for the first time.
| Minister | Vestments | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| New deacon | Dalmatic and deacon's stole | Worn for the first time at the deacon ordination |
| New priest | Chasuble and priest's stole | Traditionally a gift from family, parish or seminary |
| Ordaining bishop | Mitre and crozier with pontifical vestments | The insignia of the bishop who confers the sacrament |
What does the ordaining bishop wear?
The bishop wears his insignia — the mitre and the crozier — together with his pontifical vestments in the colour of the Mass. The mitre marks his office while he ordains, and the crozier is carried when he calls the candidates and gives them their mandate. If you are preparing a cathedral or seminary chapel for the day, a hand-embroidered mitre is the piece most often renewed beforehand.
Who gives and pays for the vestments?
In practice the gift is shared: the first chasuble and stole traditionally come from the family, the home parish or the seminary, and several communities sometimes contribute to a single set. For a deacon ordination, the dalmatic is often given by the parish where the new deacon will serve. I suggest that the donors agree on the design together, so the embroidery carries something personal — a patron saint, a parish emblem or a motto — instead of a generic pattern.
When should we order ordination vestments?
Months in advance: ordinations normally happen once a year, and custom embroidery takes weeks. Ordering months, not weeks, before the date leaves room for choosing the fabric, the embroidery and the made-to-measure fitting, and for shipping to any country. A last-minute buy is realistic only when a suitable design is already in stock, and I would not plan a once-in-a-lifetime ceremony around that chance.
FAQ
Can the first chasuble still be used years later? Yes — a classic cut and quality embroidery serve for decades, and many priests deliberately reserve their ordination chasuble for solemnities and anniversaries.
Does a deacon wear the same stole as a priest? No — a deacon's stole is worn diagonally over one shoulder, while a priest wears his around the neck; they are different vestments, not two ways of tying one stole.
Can vestments be made to measure for a tall or broad ordinand? Yes — I cut every chasuble, dalmatic and stole to his measurements, so the fit is right on the day he is ordained.
Is gold accepted in place of white? Gold is often used for greater solemnity and is treated as a festive colour; white remains the traditional choice for ordination.
Conclusion
Ordination vestments are a once-in-a-lifetime purchase: a dalmatic and deacon's stole for the new deacon, a chasuble and priest's stole for the new priest, in white or gold and cut to measure. Because the date comes once a year and the embroidery is done by hand, order months ahead and I will ship the finished set anywhere in the world. Start from our chasubles or our dalmatics.
Related reading
Before you choose, it helps to understand the vestments themselves: read my comparison of the chasuble vs dalmatic, the explainer on who can wear a dalmatic, my guide to the jubilee of ordination, and the wider list of best gifts for a priest.
