Liturgical Vestment Reference Guide
How to choose the right items?
Choosing the right vestment should be based on the church’s liturgical calendar, and the colors they prefer to be worn during that specific holiday or time of year. Consult with your church to determine the best items for your needs. At Gaspard, we have vestments in different colors and patterns, and can even create custom pieces for your church. To create a custom piece:
What are Vestments and Who Wears Them?
Vestments are liturgical garments worn within the church by the Clergy and are reserved specifically for services. Each vestment type and color has a specific place within the liturgical calendar.
Vestment Type |
Worn by... |
Chasuble |
Priests & Bishops |
Dalmatic |
Deacons |
Humeral Veil |
Priest & Subdeacons |
Overlay stole |
Priests, Bishops & Deacons |
Cope |
Priests & Bishops (sometimes Deacons) |
Mitres |
Bishops & Abbots |
How are vestments different from other clergy apparel?
Clergy apparel is typically worn as everyday apparel and is not reserved for services. Some denominations wear clergy apparel under their vestments - others wear it as everyday clothing within the church. Clergy apparel is worn by priests, ministers, or other clergy members.
6 Types of Vestments and When They're Worn
- Chasubles
Who wears a chasuble:
Chasubles are typically worn by Roman Catholic priests and bishops.
Where on the body is a chasuble worn:
Chasubles are the outermost vestment.
When is a chasuble worn:
Chasubles are worn when celebrating eucharist or mass.
|
Example of a white/gold chasuble worn during Christmas and Easter |
Example of a red chasuble worn during Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Pentecost |
- Deacon Dalmatics
Who wears a dalmatic:
Dalmatics are worn by deacons within Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran denominations.
Where on the body is a dalmatic worn:
Dalmatics are worn over other vestments and is the outermost garment.
When is a dalmatic worn:
Dalmatics are worn during mass or other services.
|
Example of a green and gold dalmatic worn during Ordinary Times |
Example of a purple dalmatic worn during Advent and Lent |
- Humeral Veil
Who wears a humeral veil:
Humeral veils are worn by a priest or a subdeacon mainly within the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran denominations.
Where on the body is a humeral veil worn:
Humeral veils are a rectangular piece of long cloth that is draped around the shoulder and stretches down the priest's arms to cover their hands while carrying the monstrance.
When is a humeral veil worn:
Humeral veils are worn during mass or other services.
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Example of a red humeral veil and stole worn during Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Pentecost |
Example of a gold/white humeral veil and stole worn during Christmas and Easter |
- Overlay Stole
Who wears an overlay stole:
An overlay stole is a band of cloth worn by deacons, bishops and priests in Roman Catholic, Angelican, and Lutheran denominations.
Where on the body is an overlay stole worn:
Deacons wear the stole across their body, from left shoulder to right hip. Priests and bishops wear a stole crossed over their chest.
When is an overlay stole worn:
Overlay Stoles are worn during mass or other services.
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Example of a blue overlay stole worn during Advent |
Example of a white and gold overlay stole worn during Christmas and Easter |
- Copes
Who wears a cope:
Copes are worn primarily by the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran priests, bishops and sometimes deacons.
Where on the body is a cope worn:
Copes are worn just like a cape.
When is a cope worn:
Copes are typically worn during morning and evening prayers outside of Mass.
|
Example of a purple cope worn during Advent and Lent |
Example of a white and gold cope worn during Christmas and Easter |
-
Mitres
Mitres
Who wears a mitres:
A mitres is worn by bishops and abbots in Roman Catholic, Angelican, and Lutheran denominations.
Where on the body is a mitres worn:
A mitres is a type of headdress.
When is a mitres worn:
A mitres is worn during mass or other services.
|
Example of a white and gold mitres worn during Christmas and Easter |
Example of a red mitres worn during Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Pentecost |
What colors do the clergy wear?
Vestment colors vary depending on the season or occasion based on the Liturgical Calendar. To learn more about which colors are worn during which time of year, and what each color represents: