Rules regarding the material used for vestments

[PrayForMeStJude]

Quick question:

Are there / What are the rules regarding materials from which vestments may be made? I am asking specifically about chasubles, stoles, dalmatics etc. rather than “specialty” vestments like the pallium.

I ask because today one of deacons did a baptism while wearing a knitted stole. It looked odd and I have never seen that before, but at the same time there’s really not a huge difference between knitting and weaving, so I could see the stole being allowed.

What do the rules say?

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Quick question:

Are there / What are the rules regarding materials from which vestments may be made? I am asking specifically about chasubles, stoles, dalmatics etc. rather than “specialty” vestments like the pallium.

I ask because today one of deacons did a baptism while wearing a knitted stole. It looked odd and I have never seen that before, but at the same time there’s really not a huge difference between knitting and weaving, so I could see the stole being allowed.

What do the rules say?

I do not know but…
First things first…

 

[JRKH]

Can’t really say for sure but I believe that wool is not permitted in any of the Altar cloths and I would assume the vestments as well…

I’m sure others know better…

Peace
James

 

[Joannm]

As far as I know there are no requirements. Several of my husband’s stoles are hand woven wool. Others are polyester (which I do n’t like but they were given as gifts). One of our priests has raw silk vestments which are beautiful. Some a lightweight wool or wool/cotton blend. A good number are high grade synthetic material.

 

[triumphguy]

I believe that natural products are always preferred over synthetic. For instance synthetic flowers should never be in the sanctuary. Wool is a natural material.

Vestments should also be aesthetically pleasing. That’s far more subjective!

 

[Joannm]

Natural fabrics are highly expensive. Synthetic is less costly. Many parishes have to work within their budget when ordering vestments. Our parish is wealthy but when ordering new sets of vestments we ordered a natural/synthetic blend. Also many of the natural fabrics need to be dry cleaned which adds to a parish’s expense.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Why do vestments have to be cleaned? If the wearer is wearing the proper undergarments (alb or surplice) then I don’t understand how a chasuble that is exclusively used for mass must be cleaned ever, really, unless something very unfortunate happens with the Blood or something.

Our dispose it culture values cheapness. I’ve always said that if you put the investment into something and take care of it, it will last a lifetime. There are vestments occasionally worn by the pope, for instance, that are hundreds of years old.

 

[JPS120]

Why do vestments have to be cleaned? If the wearer is wearing the proper undergarments (alb or surplice) then I don’t understand how a chasuble that is exclusively used for mass must be cleaned ever, really, unless something very unfortunate happens with the Blood or something.

There are many other incidents that can dirty the vestments besides spills of the Precious Blood. It is not uncommon for the priest to get ashes or residue from the thurible onto their vestments. The vestments can also be dirtied by external factors; before and after masses the priest will often interact with the congregation, many times I have seen the priest receiving hugs from parish members and even holding small children. These members of the congregation that are also coming in contact with the vestments on the priest might have oily skin, excessive makeup, etc.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

YoungTradCath;8706669:

Why do vestments have to be cleaned? If the wearer is wearing the proper undergarments (alb or surplice) then I don’t understand how a chasuble that is exclusively used for mass must be cleaned ever, really, unless something very unfortunate happens with the Blood or something.

There are many other incidents that can dirty the vestments besides spills of the Precious Blood. It is not uncommon for the priest to get ashes or residue from the thurible onto their vestments. The vestments can also be dirtied by external factors; before and after masses the priest will often interact with the congregation, many times I have seen the priest receiving hugs from parish members and even holding small children. These members of the congregation that are also coming in contact with the vestments on the priest might have oily skin, excessive makeup, etc.

Not only that just handing the vestments with your hands soil them.