Costume Of Prelates Of the Catholic Church according to Roman Etiquette. By The Rev. John A. Nainfa S.S. Part 15.

CHAPTER V. Cloak.

1. Use. — 2. Material and Shape. — 8. Cloak of Simple Priests and Other Inferior Clergy. — 4. Cloak of Prelates. — 5. Cardinals. — 6. Winter Cloaks.

1. The Roman cloak, which is given, by our clerical tailors, its Italian name of ferraiolo or ferraiolone, (a) is the necessary complement of the ecclesiastical habit, and is worn by all members of the clergy.

In this country, it can hardly be worn, except on solemn occasions, when the full clerical costume is required and admitted, for instance, at banquets, entertainments, receptions of distinguished guests, academic solemnities, etc., etc.

The Roman cloak is required also for the priest or Prelate who delivers a funeral oration ; (b) for the judges of the episcopal court (c) and the examiners of the clergy, whenever they have to discharge the duties of their office.

Priests and Prelates acting as mourners at a funeral take their place in the procession in the mourners' rank, wearing the Roman cloak.

The Chaplains (Familiares) of the Bishop, at Pontifical Mass and other solemn services, should serve in black cassock and cloak, not in surplice. (d)

The cloak,  ferraiolo 

(also ferraiuolo, ferraiolone)

2. The cloak must be made of light material. It is very large, so that it falls in graceful folds about the body from the shoulders to the feet. At the neck, it is tied with two ribbons, and a large stiff collar folding back over the shoulders gives a complete finish to the garment. The cloak should have no lining, except at the collar.

3. The cloak of simple priests and other members of the inferior clergy, is always black and made of light woolen material.

4. The cloak of the Prelates di mantellone is exclusively made of black silk, as well as that of Bishops and Prelates di mantelletta, when they wear their black cassock, trimmed with purple. (e)

Prelate wearing ordinary cassock, cincture
and cloak ("ferraiolone")

Priest wearing the Winter Cloak.

At other times, Bishops and Prelates di mantelletta wear a purple cloak made of plain silk. (f)

5. Cardinals have two different cloaks; one, of scarlet watered silk, for ordinary occasions; the other, purple, worn during penitential seasons and in times of mourning. But this purple cloak differs from that of Bishops in that it is made of watered silk and trimmed with red silk. (g)

The cloak of Prelates belonging to Religious Orders is of the same color as the outer part of the religious habit, as was indicated in the chapter treating of the cassock. There may be found exceptions to this general rule, for the costume of Religious Prelates is regulated by local traditions rather than by strict etiquette; but the rule given here is that followed at the Roman Court and adopted by nearly all Religious Prelates outside of Rome.



6. In winter, Prelates may use a large cloak with a cape attached, over which cape the collar of the cloak is folded back. This cloak is not a garment of etiquette, it is worn only for protection from cold. (h) That of the Pope is made of red cloth. All other Prelates wear the same, made of cloth, red or purple for Cardinals, according to the season, purple or black for Bishops and Prelates di mantelletta, also according to the season, and black for all others. (i)

The winter cloak of the Pope, Cardinals and Patriarchs is bordered with gold.

(a) There exists a difference between the ferraiolo and the ferraiolone. The ferraiolo is the cloak which Is worn in the streets of Rome and other cities of Catholic countries, while the ferraiolone, which is larger and more solemn, is reserved for public occasions.—The word "ferraiolo" should not be corrupted Into "feriolo," as is often done In catalogues of clerical tailors.

(b) Caer. Episc. I., xxii.,  6.—II., xi., 10.—Un Eveque Suffragant, op. cit., p. 295.

(c) Unless It is provided otherwise by diocesan statutes.

(d) Caer Episc. I., xi. t 2-12.—I., xv., 2.— Levavasseur, Fonctions Pontificales (Edition 1904), p. 263.

(e) When walking in private, Cardinals, Bishops and Prelates commonly wear an ordinary cloak of black woolen material (ferraiolo).

(f) This cloak should be of plain purple silk, without red trimmings.

(g) Barbier De Montault, op. cit., pp. 107, 108.—Grimaldi op. cit., Ch. VIII., p. 118.

(h) Barbier De Montault, op. cit., Tom. I., p. 108.—This cloak is the one which our clerical tailors call sometimes "confessional cloak," and sometimes "simarra;" should not have a velvet collar, and should be of the same length as the cassock.

(i) According to often repeated principles, the winter cloak of Religious Prelates is of the same color as the outer part of the habit of the Order.