The Spanish biretta is alway in black, with the pompom, and four wings, instead of usual three. This style is not always seen, even in Latin American countries. A rare and welcome sight, it speaks of authentic "inculturation" in the liturgy.
"The priesthood must be the chief concern of any society that wishes to renew its vitality," said Joseph de Maistre, an intellectual forefather of modern conservatism. Indeed, the identity of the priest is thus very important and we must cultivate the proper identity and inculcate it through the personal instruction of the sacred liturgy.
Alongside the particular core of priests in every corner of the world, there exists in nearly every diocese a special portion of clergy who, as it were, constitute a body of "traditional" priests. These priests enjoy a certain autonomy, and this independence is a precious gift to carry out the designs of priestly identity. These priests are able to celebrate the fullness of the patrimony of the Roman Liturgy, and don the biretta, a powerful sign and unmistakable symbol of the priestly vocation.
God bless and reward the priests and seminarians of the Istituto del Buen Pastor in Colombia. May God reward them for their labors and all they do to promote healthy vocations to the priesthood and religious life. The mystical edifice of the Church is always alive and well where priestly identity flourishes.
