But our reverend correspondent gives, as his authority, the _Ceremonial_ of Baldeschi, edited by Vavaseur, 1859. We have consulted this author, and we find that he refers the reader to the _Ordo Divini Officii_, Roma. In this ordo it is stated that the colour in Missa Defunctorum is niger vel violaceus. And the following note is appended: "S. R. C. Ann. 1670. 21 Jun. v. Cardellini in Nota ad quaest. 3. Decret. 4440. Cujus tamen coloris (violacei) parcus admodum erit usus, et fortasse solum in aliquali necessitate; sic Cavalieri". The decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites here referred to, is as follows: Oritana--"Sacra Congregatio censuit servandum esse decretum vicarii in Ecclesia Cathedrali ne in posterum celebrentur Missae defunctorum nisi cum colore nigro vel saltem violaceo ... Hoc die 21 Junii, 1670". The word _saltem_ appears to us not to allow the indiscriminate use of black or violet, but rather the use of the violet, when the black vestments are not at hand. It may not be out of place to observe here, that there are two decrees of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences which illustrate this subject. Dub. 1. "Utrum qui privilegium habet personale pro quatuor Missis in hebdomadis singulis debeat cum paramentis coloris nigri celebrare diebus non impeditis ut possit indulgentiam Plenariam pro Animabus Defunctorum lucrari? Dub. 2. "Utrum qui celebrat in Altari Privilegiato pro singulis diebus debeat semper uti paramentis nigris diebus non impeditis ut indulgentiam Privilegii consequatur? "Ad primum dubium resp. Affirmative. Ad secundum pariter ut in primo. "Ita decrevit sub die 11 Aprilis, 1840". From these two decrees it is quite clear that it is indispensable for a priest to celebrate in black vestments on the days allowed, of course, in order to gain the plenary indulgence, _ut possit indulgentiam plenariam pro animabus defunctorum lucrari_. If the black or violet could be used indifferently, there exists no reason for confining this important privilege of a plenary indulgence to a Requiem Mass said in black vestments. We are of opinion, therefore, that, as a general rule, the black vestments are to be used, and the violet only _ex aliquali necessitate_, as has been remarked in a directory which we have before us. 'We must, however, observe that in the _Caeremoniale Episcoporum_ it is stated that the bishop assisting at a Requiem Mass can use a black or violet cope: "Si Episcopus noluerit celebrare, sed hujusmodi missae pro defunctis per alium celebratae interesse eadem norma in omnibus servabitur, quae expressa est in capite praecedenti; ipse vero Episcopus cum cappa, vel cum pluviali nigro seu violaceo facta confessione cum celebrante ibit cum suis assistentibus ad sedem suam"--_Caeremoniale Episcoporum_, libro 2º, cap. 12, no. i. This, however, only applies to the bishop.