The Rochet of St. Alphonsus Liguori

A very rare liturgical artifact on display in Rome is the old rochet of St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787). This relic lends some important clues as to the style of his time, what was seen in Italy just after the late Baroque period, following the Renaissance period. 

St. Alphonsus was an Italian bishop and spiritual writer who for generations was one of the best known Catholic authors in Italy. He wrote on subjects such as moral theology and ascetics and even wrote and published the preferred Way of the Cross for parish use - an ascetic work of spiritually for praying the Via Crucis. 

He was also the founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, known as the Redemptorists. He founded the order in 1732. Thirty years later, in 1762 he was made Bishop of the Diocese of Sant'Agata dei Goti, near Naples. 

After he passed in in 1787, his relics were already being collected in light of his cause for canonization. He was beatified in 1816 and canonized in 1839. Pius IX declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1871. 

Pilgrims who visit the church built by Pius IX in his honor in Rome, Sant'Alfonso, are treated to this "cotta" (rochet) of the saint. It is framed and on display in the sacristy, open to the public, on display for public veneration. Sometimes people can be seen praying before it. 

The rochet itself is clearly in keeping with the rather subdued style of his time (the 1760s-'80s). Pure linen, Short lace apparel. Pressed in an early version of the griccia style with a more simple version of the mini-pleats that came in the next century. A green cord with a tassel to clasp at the front. 

The rochet is an important relic for any canonized bishop. The imposition of the rochet on new bishops by the pope was a rite that signified an important truth of the Catholic faith. Namely, that the juridical power comes to bishops not from their episcopal consecration, but from the Roman Pontiff himself. It is important to remember that the rochet signifies jurisdiction. 

As a sign of jurisdiction, bishops always wore the rochet, even outside their diocese, covering it with the mantelletta (and the mozzetta when in their diocese). The same was true in the presence of the Pope or the Apostolic Legate. As a sign of his universal jurisdiction, the Pope always wears the rochet (and stole), both at home in the Vatican and outside the Diocese of Rome. 

Meanwhile, the Popes still permit, in theory, the rochet as a sign of juridical power of which the Roman Pontiff invests in all newly ordained bishops. 

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