30 BULLETIN 148, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



black; of bishops and archbishops, purple or violet; of cardinals, red; 

 of the pope, white. 



(2) The amice or amict (from the Latin amicire, to cover, to clothe), 

 also called humeral (from the Latin humerus, shoulder), a piece of 

 linen, about 3 feet long by 2 feet wide, with a cross embroidered in 

 the middle of the upper edge, which the celebrant rests for a moment 

 on his head, kissing the cross, and then spreads it over his shoulders 

 with a prayer, binding it around the shoulders by means of strings 

 at the upper corners of the cloth. 



(3) The alb, a loosely fitting shirt-like robe of white linen (hence 

 its name, from the Latin alhus, white), reaching from head to foot. 

 It is sometimes adorned with a border of lace or embroidery. It 

 typifies the purity of life. 



(4) The girdle, or cincture, a linen cord, the two ends of which ter- 

 minate in large tassels, w^'th which the priest binds the alb. It sym- 

 bolizes continence and self-restraint. 



(5) The maniple, a strip of cloth about 2-feet long, embroidered with 

 three crosses, one in the middle and one at each of the extremities. 

 It is worn on the left wrist, to which it is attached by a pin or string, 

 hanging equally on both sides. It was originally a handkerchief or 

 towel, and gradually developed into an ornamental and symbolical 

 liturgical vestment. It signifies the rope with which Christ was 

 bound and the tears of penitence to be wiped off. 



(6) The stole (also called orarium), a long band of cloth, put around 

 the neck and crossed on the breast being held in this position by the 

 girdle. It is also worn at the performance of any rite, as ministering 

 the sacraments or blessing persons and things. It is the symbol of 

 spiritual power and jurisdiction. It was perhaps developed from the 

 scarf used to protect the neck. 



(7) The chasuble (from Latin casula, the diminutive of casa, hut, 

 because like a little house it covered the whole body). It is the outer 

 or upper vestment which is last assumed. It is elliptical in cut, open 

 on both sides and at the top, and as it is passed over the head to rest 

 on the shoulders it reaches to the knees in front and a few inches 

 lower behind. The material (gold cloth, brocade, silk, wool, linen), 

 and color of the chasuble, stole, and maniple, as also of the veil and 

 burse, must be the same. The color of these vestments varies ac- 

 cording to the season or the occasion of the mass. White or gold 

 cloth is employed on the joyous feasts of Christ and Mary; red is 

 used on Pentecost, in masses of the Holy Ghost, and of the apostles 

 and martyrs ; green is the color of the season, when there is no special 

 feast; violet is used during Advent and Lent and on all penitential 

 occasions; and black is used in masses of the dead and on Good 

 Friday. 



(8) The biretta, a stiff square cap with three or four prominences or 

 projecting corners rising from its crown, and sometimes with a tassel 



