Historical Chasubles for Good Friday

Being as it is once again Good Friday, most all liturgically oriented minds are focused on the Triduum and, today especially, the Passion and Death of Christ. As such, it seemed like a good day to feature some chasubles that are especially apropos to the day. 

Now, traditionally the liturgical colour for this day was black -- a colour which certainly makes manifest liturgical sense as black was generally the traditional liturgical colour of mourning and requiems in the Roman rite. Since the Second Vatican Council, red, the colour of martyrdom, has also been employed on Good Friday.  I mention this, not to prompt debate or discussion about black versus red, but because those who are mainly familiar with the post-conciliar expression may wonder why black is being featured. The answer is simply that black was the predominant historical liturgical expression for Good Friday, and as such, it is also that colour from which we can draw historical examples.

So with that in mind, let's take a look at a few such examples that I have selected for your meditation (and hopefully edification( today. Each of these have been selected for reason that they were likely to have been historically used on this day.  We wish each of our readers a joyous and profitable Paschal Triduum. 

Circa 15th century, this silk velvet chasuble features Christ crucified with the skull of Adam at the foot of the Cross.  Photo (C) RMN-Grand Palais (Cluny Museum - National Museum of the Middle Ages), Gérard Blot

Created in the 19th century France by St. Thérèse of Lisieux, featuring Veronica's Veil and white lilies, symbols of resurrection. 

Circa 18th century, this particular chasuble may be of Spanish origins and features a particularly noble depiction of Christ crucified, with both the Skull of Adam at the foot of the Cross and two additional skulls to either side of the orphrey. 

A 20th century chasuble from Lithuania, featuring the Crucifixion. The Cross itself has leaves and fruits proceeding from it, thus propelling it into the realm of the "Tree of Life."

19th century, Italian. This particular chasuble features Veronica's Veil, the Sacred Heart with its piercings and crown of thorns, and the Arma Christi which showcases the various instruments of the Passion.

19th century, Italian. Replacing galloons and trims are intertwined thorns in the vein of the crown of thorns. Within the orphrey are panels showing scenes of the Scourging at the Pillar, Christ carrying the Cross and the Crucifixion. Not to be missed, at the top are 'Arma Christi' symbols.

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By way of honourable mention, we would note that it is on this one day of the liturgical year that, traditionally, black coloured folded chasubles might also make an appearance. (For those who would like to know more about this Roman tradition, we would invite you to read our article on the History and Design of the Folded Chasuble.)

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