The amice is a liturgical vestment in the Roman Catholic Church. It consists of a white cloth connected to two long ribbon-like attachments, by which it is fastened around the shoulders of the priest. Before the liturgical reforms of 1972, its use was mandatory for all Masses, but it is only required today if the alb does not cover the priest's ordinary clothing. Many priests choose to wear the amice for reasons of tradition or to prevent damage to their other vestments due to perspiration.
Traditionally, while donning the amice, the priest prays a short prayer asking God to clothe him with the "helm of salvation".
The amice is a liturgical vestment in the Roman Catholic Church.
This method of wearing the amice has fallen into desuetude for the clergy at large, and the only surviving trace of it is the rubric directing that, in putting it on, the amice should for a moment be laid upon the head before it is adjusted round the neck.
Akin to the amice is a vestment peculiar to the popes, the fanone (Med.
According to modern Roman use, laid down by the decree of the Congregation of Rites in 1819, the amice must be of linen or of a hempen material, not wool; and, as directed by the new Roman Missal (1570), a small cross must be sewn or embroidered in the middle of it.
The amice is now worn under the alb, except at Milan and Lyons, where it is put on over it.
It had at the outset no liturgical significance whatever, and was simply adopted by the clergy for the same reason that the clergy of the 18th century wore wigs - because it was part of the full dress of ordinary life.
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