Taking a Closer Look at the Chasuble

This week, we'd thought we'd feature a few interesting chasubles that are in ARCAT's collection. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the chasuble, it is the liturgical vestment that is worn over other vestments, such as an alb, an amice, and a stole. Chasubles in the "Roman" style have a fiddleback shape in the front, whereas more contemporary chasubles are oval-shaped with a round hole in the middle for the head to pass through.

Chasubles come in many different colours, and some of them are very decorated with embroidery and needlework. Some are used for daily use, whereas others are for specific occasions. Below you will find five examples from here in the Archives.

This is a contemporary chasuble that was worn by Cardinal Ambrozic during a World Youth Day event in 2002. It is embroidered with grapes, wheat sheaves, leaves, and a cross.

Textile Artifact TX.25a

Closeup of the detail on Textile Artifact TX.25a

This funeral chasuble is made of heavy grey wool with grey darker trim. The purple felt applique contains embroidery.

Textile Artifact TX.50a

Closeup of the detail on Textile Artifact TX.50a

Donated by St. Joseph's Convent in 1988, this reversible chasuble was part of the Mass Kit used by the C.S.J. in teaching school children about liturgical objects.

Front and back of Textile Artifact TX12.a

This is an example of a wartime Chaplain's chasuble. It is a reversible set.

Textile Artifact TX.49a

Reversible side of Textile Artifact TX.49a

This chasuble from the early 20th century was removed from St. Margaret's Parish, Midland, after a fire in the 1980s. Though a bit stained, the chasuble and its detail are still impressive.

Front and back of Textile Artifact TX.08a

Closeup of the detail on Textile Artifact TX.08a

Closeup of the detail on Textile Artifact TX.08a

On the tenth day of Christmas, ARCAT stored for me…

...ten ’broidered vestments,

Textiles Special Collection, TX.01, TX.06, TX.101, TX.50, TX.09. TX.121, TX.49, TX.122, TX.04, TX.95

Embroidery refers to thread or yarn stitched to fabric for decoration. Historically, liturgical vestments were richly embroidered by hand to emphasize the solemnity of the garments' purpose.  In our collection, we have a variety of textiles with embroidery ranging from weighty metallic thread to fine, machine-made details.  

In this selection are four chasubles (gold, white, purple and red), the liturgical garment worn by the celebrating priest. All of these are examples of the "fiddleback" style. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, chasubles were heavily lined and stiffened to support the heavy embroidery. Therefore, in order to allow for better range of arm motion, the front sides were cut away, forming a fiddleback shape. 

Other embroidered vestments include:

• a humeral veil, worn for holding the monstrance during the Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament;
• liturgical gloves (also called episcopal or ceremonial gloves), which are reserved for bishops. They are worn only at Pontifical Mass, and then only to the washing of the hands before the Sacrifice;
• an unusual grey-coloured stole, presumably for funerals;
• an alb, the garment worn under the chasuble or dalmatic, with embroidered cuff details;
• a green dalmatic, the sleeved tunic worn by celebrating deacons;
• a gold mitre that belonged to Cardinal Carter.

nine document seals,

eight spir’tual bouquets,

seven papal bulls,

six pairs of buskins,

five golden rings,

four photographs,

three mitres,

two maniples,

and a pen used to vote at Conclave.

On the sixth day of Christmas, ARCAT stored for me…

...six pairs of buskins,

Textiles Special Collection, TX.106a-f

Buskins are ceremonial liturgical stockings traditionally made of silk.  They are worn by the celebrant of a Pontifical Mass, which follows the Extraordinary Form. Buskins can be worn with episcopal sandals (low slipper-like footwear) or over regular socks and with dress shoes. They match the liturgical colour of the chasuble worn by the bishop or pope. These six pairs of buskins belonged to James Cardinal McGuigan.

five golden rings,

four photographs,

three mitres,

two maniples,

and a pen used to vote at Conclave.

On the second day of Christmas, ARCAT stored for me...

...two maniples:

Textiles Special Collection, TX.65b and TX.77

A maniple is a piece of liturgical vesture worn over the left forearm of the priest or deacon during Mass. It has two strings to tie together for a secure fit. Its origin is the large handkerchief laid across the arm of Roman magistrates signifying authority and service (similar to the cloth that a maître d’ hangs over his forearm).  Following Vatican II, the maniple was considered to be unnecessary and is no longer used in common Mass.  It is still used where Latin Masses (Extraordinary Form) are celebrated. (Latin Mass is available at four parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto)

The red maniple is made of velvet lined with silk and likely dates to the early 20th century.  The shiny fabric and slim line of the purple maniple suggests a 1960s aesthetic.  The cross decoration is framed in a mandorla, so called for its almond shape.  Maniples would have been part of a matching vestment set with a stole and chasuble or dalmatic.  The colours are indicative of the liturgical calendar.  Red (symbolizing fire, blood, sacrifice, charity, zeal and the Holy Spirit) is worn at Pentecost, Palm Sunday, and Feast Days of the Martyrs.  Purple (symbolizing repentance, sorrow, penitence, preparation) is used during Advent and Lent.

and a pen used to vote at Conclave.

Record of the Week: Violet Liturgical Vestments

Often when people think of archives, they think of boxes full of paper. We do have lots of those, but we also have photographs, objects and textiles that help tell the story of the Archdiocese.

This week's Record of the Week is a good example of part of our Textiles collection which we chose because yesterday was the First Sunday in Advent.

In the Catholic Church, the colours of the vestments that priests and deacons wear and the cloth on the altar correspond to certain liturgical seasons. For Advent and Lent the colour is violet, which represents penitence and preparation for the coming of Christ.

The vestments below were brought to the Archives after a fire at St. Margaret's Church in Midland in 1986. They are an older style which was in use prior to the Second Vatican Council.

Roman Fiddleback Chasuble

Clockwise from the top: Veil, Stole, Burse, and Maniple

Check out the Vatican website for more information about Liturgical Vestments.