The vestment, called a pianeta in Italian, is a second-class relic. No doubt it is very fragile. Pilgrims visit here to pray every afternoon when the rooms of St. Ignatius open for visitors around 4:30 pm. Many flock not only to see where the saint lived and the room where he died, but also to admire the magnificent frescoes attributed to Annibale Caracci, restored in 2008. The most significant relic on display is this classic work of art.
Below are a few photos along with some other images that will give the reader an idea of how the chasuble would have looked at the service of the altar. St. Ignatius envisioned his order to do mission work and to teach. He and his priests always wore dazzling vestments worthy of the august sacrifice and an audience with the King.
In artistic representation, St. Ignatius is often depicted in sacerdotal vestments. Generally, in an oversized Roman chasuble, ornate in design. He died in 1556 at the age of 64 during the Council of Trent (held between 1545 and 1563) and was clothed before burial in vestments.
St. Ignatius was beatified in 1609 and canonized in 1622. He is best remembered for his founding of the Jesuits, well-known for their contributions to the Counter-Reformation movement in Rome and throughout Europe and the world. His feast is celebrated July 31, the day of his death.
Older chasubles are rare, but do exist. A few examples include that of St. Bernard (1090-1153), preserved in Aachen Germany inside the treasury of the Cathedral. It is semi-conical as is the chasuble of St. Thomas Becket (1120-1170), kept inside the Sens Cathedral in France. In addition, there is another chasuble of Becket kept at Fermo Cathedral in Italy, also worth mentioning.
