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Each day there were talks or demonstrations - Sister Jane Margaret VHM bgan with a meditation on icons
Deborah Harwood, a textile artist and parishioner, took us through the evolutions of priestly vestments, with an array of highly crafted, historic chasubles. Fr Thomas demonstrated vesting - rarely observed by lay people. (The full text of Deborah's talk can be obtained by e-mail from our office) |
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"Vestments are sacramental; they are set apart and blessed by the church to excite good thoughts and to increase devotion in those who see them and those who wear them. They are the uniform of the priest when he is on duty while he is exercising the functions of his ministry and using the sacred powers, which he received at his ordination." |
"The Amice originally served as a head covering and some orders still wear it over their heads to and from the altar today. When used on the head it was covered in embroidery and was very elaborate but now it should be made of white cloth and only bear a cross. Before Vatican II it was obligatory to be worn but today it is only required if the alb does not cover the priest's ordinary clothing. The priest kisses the amice when he puts it on and says a short prayer asking God to clothe him with the “helm of salvation”. |
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"The Alb is the oldest liturgical vestment. Right up to the 8th century this was still worn as part of everyday dress. Originally this garment had five ornamental pieces of colour to signify the five wounds of Christ. After the sixteenth century the colour and decoration was removed and it was required to be made of linen with linen lace edgings, which is still in use today." |
"There are many interpretations of the origins of the stole but it is commonly believed that it depicts the napkin used by Christ in washing the feet of his disciples. Thereby signifying the yoke of Christ, the yoke of service. .." |
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"The Chasuble is worn for the celebration of the Eucharist. Its original shape was a sort of poncho and fell to the feet. The copious amounts of fabric which fell around the arms made it awkward for the priests to move easily. (Note example hanging on wall)." |
"So over the centuries it was reduced to this shape and is referred to as the fiddleback. This leaves the arms completely free at each side. They were always highly ornate. But, interestingly immediately after the second Vatican council there was a return to use of the poncho style along with much more simple design and often radically modern. But the fiddleback is making a comeback partly as a matter of comfort but also a matter of taste." |
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"Also with Vatican Two the priest began to face the congregation so the embroidery and embellishments of the chasubles have changed accordingly."
"Historically of course they were made by hand - most often by the nuns of the community and of course by the laywomen as a gift to the priest. The two chasubles here are examples of the highly intricate work and the extraordinary skill of the sewers. The origins of embroidery are lost in time but examples survive from ancient Egypt."
"The central cross dates back to the fourteen hundreds, and is English. However it has probably been remounted onto a new base. The central panel is embroidered onto cotton canvas which is quite coarse. The detail in the embroidery is quite phenomenal: there are different weights of thread and what is fascinating to me is that we are still using these same stitches today! There is some use of gold thread but in the church you can see more examples with gold thread."
"Of course the more embroidery, the heavier they become."
"This is a French fiddleback from the late 1880’s and is tapestry – it is so beautifully done. The tapestries were often stitched by families as gifts to the priests to celebrate big occasions."
Father Thomas and Deborah replied to searching questions from parishioners with long memories - e.g. What happened to the maniple? (Answer - It was clumsy, unnecessary and disused after Vatican II).
What do modern vestments cost - are they obtainable embroidered? (Answer - from two hundred pounds to - whatever the donor can provide!).
Fr Thomas presented a video on "The Face of Christ" and next day Canon Fogarty returned to review the life of St Richard.
Sheila Lyons wound up the series with a talk about church music - an apt prelude to Sunday's Solemn Vespers.