Gothic, Neri and Roman: Variations of the Folded Chasuble and Broad Stole

The folded chasuble was (and is) a vestment used within the Roman liturgy during penitential times as well as Good Friday. (For a detailed account of the history of this, please see our December 2017 article on the "History and Designs of the Folded Chasuble.") Of course, in talking of chasubles, it is worth recalling that the shape of the chasuble was itself not a static thing; as time marched along in the history of the Church, so too would the chasuble's shape gradually and organically develop. With those developments having taken place, their corresponding folded chasubles would necessarily need to change along with it. 

Given that recent years have seen a revival in interest and use of these particular vestments, and given that LAJ is often contacted for advice on arcane topics such as these, I thought it could be of practical use to provide a examples of three of the very best ways in which these folded chasubles can be manifest today according to the three dominant shapes of vestments we see in use in the Church today: Gothic, Neri and Roman. 

I. GOTHIC (GOTHIC REVIVAL)

The gothic chasuble we see mainly in use these days is simply that of the later, truncated form of gothic. In the context of this particular shape, I believe the most noble manifestation of a folded chasuble is like that shown here. It is characterized by the actual folding up and fastening of the fonrt of chasuble, with the broad stole folded further still so that it can be worn like a stole. 

Left: The Broad Stole - Right: The Folded Chasuble

While I have seen other ways folding gothic shapes, this particular method shown here is by far the most noble expression in my estimation.

II. 'NERI'

This next example serves as a good example of what a folded chasuble might be manifest like in the so-called 'Neri' style -- a shape that sits about half way between a gothic and 'Roman' cut, having a sort of inverted, bell-like shape.  

In this particular instance, actually folding up the front chasuble is neither practical nor desirable because of the disproportionate length of the arms compared to that of the front and back. In this style of chasuble, simply shortening the front, as seen here, is what is most practical and noble.

Left: Back of the Folded Chasuble - Right: The Broad Stole

III. BAROQUE 

The same can also be said of the so-called 'Roman' (or baroque) chasuble, which is the final form of folded chasuble that we will discuss today. It is the best and most widely known manifestation of these vestments and here we do on occasion see the front actually folded up, but more often than not we simply see it trimmed off and shortened in the front.  This seems to be crispest solution. 

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