Segovia Cathedral in Spain is more properly known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and of Saint Fructus, being constructed between the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries in a late gothic style. Within the cathedral are found a great many liturgical ornaments and treasures, not the least of which is a striking Requiem Mass set, likely dating to the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries, which includes various memento mori (i.e. remembrances of our mortality) in the form of skulls, scythe-wielding skeletons (symbolizing how Death 'harvests' souls), cross-bones and the like.
The various parts and pieces include a chasuble (in the Spanish shape -- regrettably we do not have a good image of it to publish), cope, dalmatic and tunicle, as well as a pall -- used to cover a coffin or the catafalque in the Requiem Masses or on All Souls Day.
Regrettably, the picture quality is not the best, but despite that -- and knowing how much of interest vestments such as these are amongst our readership -- we have decided to share them all the same. (And should one of our readers happen to have access to better quality images of these vestments, we would certainly be grateful if they would send them to us.)
We begin with the cope, which includes the aforementioned scythe-wielding personifications of Death, found on both the front orphreys and also the shield of the cope itself, where we also find a shield with the Latin words, "Omnia mihi subdita," meaning "All is subject to me" -- namely, that all mortal things are subject to death. This, of course, aptly summarizes the entire intention of including memento mori within sacred art, whether vestments or otherwise.
 |
| Omnia mihi subdita -- All is subject to me |
Also included in the various pieces is one which has been displayed like an antependium, however, I suspect it is actually, in reality, the pall for the set; one that has simply been displayed this way for exhibition purposes. (Here to you can just glimpse, to the right, the chasuble.) On this, one will note here not only the prominent skull and crossbones, but also another image of Death with a scythe which has been rather playfully depicted. (See beneath the cross.)
Also on display is another pall which I suspect is of nineteenth century vintage and not original to the set. This particular pall does not containe memento mori so far as I can see, but instead is instead comprised of beautiful scrolling vine-work and neoclassical vases. Around this pall are four beautiful black and gold, standing floor candlesticks that would be used as they are presented here, standing around the coffin and/or catafalque.
A truly impactful set, worthy of a cathedral, and worthy of the month of the Holy Souls.
-------
Do you like Liturgical Arts Journal's original content? You can help support LAJ in its mission and vision to promote beauty in Catholic worship either by:
You choose the amount! Your support makes all the difference.
