In the Calendars of the Roman Rite, 4th November is set down as the Feast of Saint Charles Borromeo (Cardinal-Archbishop of Milan 1560-1584). If Saint Charles, were alive today I suspect he would be regarded as hero to those who cherish the traditions of the Church. An important figure at the Council of Trent and confidant of Popes, he was anxious to preserve traditions and not allow fashion, false doctrine or laxity to push Tradition to one side. As Archbishop of Milan he wrote and legislated in minute detail about the Sacred Liturgy and everything associated with it.
Saint Charles laid down regulations about the dimensions of vestments for the Sacred Liturgy because, it would seem, he was concerned that the form of the vestments, which had been handed down for centuries, was being cast aside in favour of something convenient and “fashionable”. The chasuble, derived from the Latin word for “a little house” had been for centuries an ample garment.
In the 15th and 16th centuries, there had been significant divergence from this Tradition, however, resulting in a form of chasuble that wasn’t ample, but cut right back so that it comprised a sort of narrow pendant, front and back, on the wearer.
We know this form of chasuble as the “Roman” or “fiddleback” chasuble, and some claim that this is the form of the chasuble that is truly “traditional”.
But Charles Borromeo didn’t think that: he thought it represented a break with Tradition. And he specified the minimum size to which he expected chasubles to conform.
They were to be at least 54 inches (138cm) wide and, at the back, they were to reach down almost to the heels of the wearer. Saint Charles wasn't attempting to determine how a chasuble should be decorated, he was simply trying to preserve a minimum standard for the dimensions of the chasuble.
Some of Saint Charles' vestments have been preserved, for example one in the Basilica of Saint Mary's Major, shewn in the adjacent photograph. The length and width of this "Roman" vestment made according to Saint Charles' specifications are obvious.
As vestment-makers, the Saint Bede Studio is blessed to receive frequent enquiries from newly-ordained priests and deacons and often, they are interested in obtaining that style of vestment used by Saints Charles Borromeo and Philip Neri.
A greeting on the Feast of Saint Charles to all readers and customers of the Saint Bede Studio.
AMDG
