To those who haven't seen it yet, Father Ed Tomlinson has written a splendid piece on the biretta. It is most definetely a part of the patrimony. But he asks about usage during sermon: leave it off completely, or take it off once the Holy Name is mentioned, tip it every time it is mentioned but leave it on, or tip it when it is mentioned up to three times then remove it. A couple of priests mention that Fortescue (Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described) says to do the latter. Now I call upon anyone reading this who has the 12th edition or prior to help me out, as I only have the 14th. The 12th was the last one issued, I believe, before the Second Vatican Council. I'm not sure that later editions of Fortescue, unlike later editions of Lamburn (Ritual Notes), made use of the conciliar tone of minimalism at the time. Is this right?
So far, in my 14th edition all I can find about the use of the biretta (besides when liturgically it should be worn) is this bit:
"Head Covering. In bowing, the head is always first uncovered. When one is taking off the biretta it is held in the right hand by the raised edge on its right side. When standing hold the biretta against the breast with both hands joined as described above, the central fin pointing to your right. When sitting rest the biretta on the right knee, while the left hand lies extended on the left knee. Those who wear a skull-cap in choir take it off whenever they genuflect or bow to the altar, when they receive the sprinkling of holy water, while they say together the Confiteor, Misereatur, Kyrie eleison, Gloria in excelsis, Credo, Sanctus, Agnus Dei at Mass; while the Gospel is sung, while they are incensed, from the preface to the communion (inclusive), and at the Blessing. Also whenever the Blessed Sacrament is exposed; during the Gospel at Matins, at the Confession at Prime and Compline. No one wears the skull-cap when he intones the antiphons and the psalms, sings the invitatorium, lessons, short responsories, or Martyrology."
(pp. 47-8.)
I'll keep looking...
