The General Instruction of the Roman Missal explains the purpose of vesture: diversity of office in the celebration of the Eucharist is shown outwardly by the diversity of sacred vestments, which should also contribute to the beauty of the rite. The vestments are not costumes and not personal adornment; they clothe the minister in his office so that what the assembly sees is the Church's ministry rather than the individual man. The alb is the common vestment of all ministers, a long white garment recalling the robe put on at baptism. It is worn with a cincture at the waist and, when it does not cover the ordinary clothing at the neck, with an amice. Over the alb the deacon wears his stole across the chest, from the left shoulder to the right side, and the dalmatic; the priest wears the stole around the neck hanging down in front, and over it the chasuble, which is the vestment proper to the priest celebrating Mass. Where a chasuble-alb is used in particular circumstances it is always worn with a stole. A bishop celebrating adds the pectoral cross, the mitre, and the pastoral staff, and wears the zucchetto; a metropolitan archbishop wears the pallium, a band of white wool conferred by the Pope, within his province. Outside Mass, and in processions, at Benediction, and at other rites, the cope is worn, and the humeral veil is used to carry or to hold the Blessed Sacrament. Servers, readers, and choirs may wear the alb or the cassock and surplice. Color is regulated by the Instruction. White or gold is worn in the Christmas and Easter Seasons, on celebrations of the Lord other than of his Passion, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of the angels, and of saints who were not martyrs. Red is worn on Palm Sunday and Good Friday, at Pentecost, on celebrations of the Lord's Passion, and for apostles, evangelists, and martyrs. Green is used in Ordinary Time. Violet is used in Advent and Lent and may be used in offices and Masses for the dead, for which black is also permitted. Rose may be worn on Gaudete Sunday and Laetare Sunday where that is the custom. The materials are to be of noble simplicity and genuine quality rather than mere ornament, and images or symbols, where used, should serve the sense of the celebration.

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