What Is a Biretta?
A biretta is a square cap with three or four ridges (peaks) worn by clergy in the Catholic Church. It is one of the most distinctive pieces of clerical headwear and has been part of clerical dress for centuries.
The biretta is worn by priests, deacons, and seminarians. The color indicates the wearer's rank: black for priests and deacons, purple for bishops, red for cardinals, and white for the Pope. While not required for liturgical celebrations, the biretta is still worn by many clergy, especially in more traditional parishes.
The name comes from the Latin biretum; older texts also use the spellings beretta and birretta. The cap is usually topped with a tuft, commonly called a pom-pom, and it is worn over a small skullcap known as the zucchetto. In everyday speech, the biretta is the "priest's hat" or Catholic priest hat seen in traditional parishes.
What Types of Birettas Are Available?
Birettas come in several options:
Priest birettas (black) — the standard biretta for priests and deacons. Usually made of wool or polyester with a black silk or cotton covering.
Wool birettas — traditional and warm. Good for cool weather and formal occasions.
Polyester blend birettas — lighter and easier to care for. Good for warm weather and daily wear.
How Do I Choose the Right Biretta?
- Get the right size. Birettas should fit snugly but not tightly. Measure your head circumference before ordering.
- Consider the material. Wool birettas are traditional and warm. Polyester blends are lighter and easier to care for.
- Check the pom-pom. The pom-pom on top should be securely attached and match the biretta color.
| Material | Peaks | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wool | 3 | Traditional use, cold weather | $30–$80 |
| Polyester blend | 3 | Daily wear, warm weather | $25–$60 |
| Custom-made | 3 or 4 | Special occasions, precise fit | $60–$150+ |
What Is the Difference Between a Biretta and a Zucchetto?
The zucchetto is a small, round skullcap worn by the Pope, cardinals, bishops, and some priests; the biretta is the square cap with three or four peaks worn on top of it on formal occasions. The zucchetto is usually made of silk or wool, while birettas are made of wool, polyester, or tropical fabric. The colors follow the same rank: black for priests and deacons, purple for bishops, red for cardinals, and white for the Pope.
What Do the Peaks (Wings) on a Biretta Mean?
Most Catholic priests wear the classic three-peaked biretta, the square cap with three black horns. The three peaks are traditionally said to represent the priest's threefold ministry: teaching, sanctifying, and governing. The four-peaked biretta is worn by some bishops and as academic dress by holders of a doctorate from a pontifical university. Both types — 3 wing and 4 wing — are available in our collection, with an optional red or purple pom-pom.
How Is the Biretta Worn?
The biretta is worn on the head with the peaks facing up, commonly during processions and formal liturgical ceremonies rather than during the Mass itself. It is removed at the Holy Name of Jesus and in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Priests traditionally wear the biretta while seated and while giving absolution in confession, where it symbolizes the priest's juridical power.
Do Priests Still Wear Birettas Today?
Yes — although the biretta became less common after the Second Vatican Council, it was never abolished. Today it is still worn by many priests, deacons, and seminarians, especially in traditional parishes, during processions, and on solemn occasions. Three-peaked birettas are also worn by some Anglican and Lutheran clergy. In religious orders, Norbertine (Premonstratensian) canons wear a white biretta and Oratorians wear a black one, while Dominicans traditionally wear the capuce instead.
How Do I Measure My Head for a Biretta?
Measure the head circumference with a soft measuring tape around the widest part of the head, about 1 cm (0.4 in) above the ears. A biretta should fit snugly but not tightly. Our birettas come in sizes from 53 cm to 64 cm (20.9–25.2 in); if you are between two sizes, choose the larger one. Custom sizes are available on request.
Browse Our Biretta Collection
Explore our selection of birettas for priests in black and violet, in wool and polyester blends, from $52. Both 3 wing and 4 wing biretta hats are available for sale in sizes 53–64 cm, with an optional red or purple pom-pom. Find the right biretta for your clerical wardrobe. We also offer clergy shirts, clergy cloaks, and collars. Bishops serving at pontifical functions wear an embroidered mitre instead of the biretta.
