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Vestments
The church uses a range of vestments for particular occasions. The main ones used are:
Chasuble
This is the vestment worn by the presiding priest or Bishop at the celebration of Mass.
Dalmatic
An outer tunic which traces its origin to the clothes worn by courtiers in the Late Roman / Byzantine court. It is worn by a Deacon, usually when officiating at Mass.
Tunicle
A tunic (similar to the above) worn by a Sub-Deacon. This Order of Ministry no longer exists, but the three vestments (i.e. Chasuble, dalmatic and tunicle) are the vestments worn by the three officiating clergy at a High Mass, a service still seen in this church.
The Cope
The Cope is a long, open fronted cloak which is fastened at the breast. A Cope is generally worn at non-Eucharistic services such as Evensong. A cope is also worn by the Priest during processions.
Colours
The use of different colours is an ancient tradition. Colours allow us to focus on particular days and seasons and the special meanings that they have in church life. The colours used, and the reason for their use is explained below.
Green
Green is the colour of sprouting seed, symbolizing hope and progress. Green dominates for more than half the year - during 'Ordinary Time' and on 'Feria' days - those which are not fasts or festivals.
Purple
Purple signifies humility, penance and sorrow. Purple vestments are worn during the two main seasons of preparation - Advent and Lent.
The is the symbol of fire and blood as such is it worn on the feast day of any martyr.
Red
Red is also worn for the feast of Whitsun, Holy Cross day, the feasts of Apostles and Evangelists, Palm Sunday and Good Friday.
White
White is a symbol of light, purity and joy. As such it is worn on all the Feasts of Our Lord and Our Lady and other Saints and angels as well as Holy men and women who are not martyrs.
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A white Chasuble. Part of a set made by Pat Davidge and Lucy-Anne Cranmore for Fr. Geoffrey Wade
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A full set of gold vestments with the Dalmatic on the
left, the Chasuble in the centre and tunicle on the right.
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Another Gold set of Eucharistic Vestments, this one with Cope in centre
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Father Monahan's set
which was made by Benedictine monks at Pershore
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Chasubles
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Three different red
Chasubles
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Vestments from Saint
Paul's in the Blockhouse. Left - a chasuble made form a wedding
dress, right a Cope presented to Father Geoffrey Studdert-Kennedy in
1914
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Green Chasubles
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