Priest Stoles

The stole is the vestment worn by those who have received Holy Orders in the Latin Catholic Church. It is bestowed upon the ordination of a deacon, by which one becomes a member of the clergy following the elimination of tonsure and minor orders following the Second Vatican Council.

How does a Priest wear his stole?

Before the Second Vatican Council's reform of the liturgy, priests who were not bishops were obligated to cross the stole over the breast, but only at Mass or other ceremonies when a chasuble or cope was worn. However, it is now frequently worn hanging straight down rather than crossed over the breast. 

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, which is the liturgical legislation for the Roman Catholic Church regarding the Mass, no longer explicitly states that a Priest must cross his stole. "The stole is worn by the Priest around his neck and hanging down in front of his chest," it says. Unless a certain diocese or other ordinary has published a law, it is up to the Priest to determine what this entails. 

The Priest stole is worn over the neck of a bishop or other Priest, with the ends flowing down in front, whereas the deacon drapes it over his left shoulder and ties it cross-wise at his right side akin to a sash.

The stole is worn over the surplice (or alb) and always beneath the cope by the Priest or deacon who preside over para liturgical ceremonies such as the Stations of the Cross. As a priest puts on their stole, the cross on the stole's neckpiece is kissed, indicating acceptance of Christ's yoke - the yoke of service.

In most circumstances, a stole will be the liturgical color designated by the church for the appropriate liturgical season or service. Some Protestant clergy wear stoles with colors or emblems that are different from the liturgical colors.

Significance of the stole

The stole, along with the cincture and the now-largely extinct maniple, depicts the shackles and fetters with which Jesus was bound during his Passion; it is usually adorned with a cross. Another explanation is that the stole symbolizes the duty to proclaim God's Word.

In the Roman Catholic Church, it is a symbol of immortality. It is commonly recognized as the distinguishing symbol of the ordained clergy and is bestowed at ordination.