Clothing The Clergy

Maureen C. Miller traces the ways in which clerical garb changed over the Middle Ages. Miller goes into detail about craft, artistry, and textiles and contributes to our understanding of the religious, social, and political meanings of clothing, past and present.

This little book is chock-full of useful and often humorous information about Episcopal Church Vestments: How they developed, what they are like today and even patterns and basic instructions for making them. Complete witih illustrations by the author, it it a useful reference for designers, students, clergy and laity.

Comprehensive reference traces evolution of clerical attire through the late 1400s. More than 270 black-and-white illustrations and 8-page color insert depict simple alb, pallium, chasuble, cassock, surplice, mitre, and accessories.

A well-illustrated cultural history of the apparel worn by American Catholics, Sally Dwyer-McNulty's Common Threads reveals the transnational origins and homegrown significance of clothing in developing identity, unity, and a sense of respectability for a major religious group that had long struggled for its footing in a Protestant-dominated society often openly hostile to Catholics. Focusing on those who wore the most visually distinct clothes--priests, women religious, and schoolchildren--the story begins in the 1830s, when most American priests were foreign born and wore a variety of clerical styles. Dwyer-McNulty tracks and analyzes changes in Catholic clothing all the way through the twentieth century and into the present, which finds the new Pope Francis choosing to wear plain black shoes rather than ornate red ones. Drawing on insights from the study of material culture and of lived religion, Dwyer-McNulty demonstrates how the visual lexicon of clothing in Catholicism can indicate gender ideology, age, and class. Indeed, clothing itself has become a kind of Catholic language, whether expressing shared devotional experiences or entwined with debates about education, authority, and the place of religion in American society.

"The Garment of Faith: Unraveling the Truth Behind Catholic Clergy Attire" is the book to read if you are curious about the secrets surrounding Catholic clergy dress. Explore the myths, symbolism, and rich history around the black cassock and other Catholic clergy garments. Learn the spiritual meaning behind each article of clothing and have a greater comprehension of its function in the Church's existence. This book, written by eminent theologian and liturgical studies specialist Jonathan Stevens, provides unmatched insights into the realm of Catholic clergy garb. Stevens offers a multitude of knowledge and experience to this thorough examination of the garment of faith, having spent years researching and instructing about Catholic traditions. You can rely on his careful investigation and deliberate interpretation to provide you with an engaging and illuminating voyage through the complex web of Catholic tradition.

The churches of Britain contain a remarkable heritage of exquisitely embroidered vestments, and cathedrals in particular hold some of the most beautiful textiles ever produced in Europe. The history of these priestly garments and how their use developed in Britain and Europe is fascinating. This book outlines the tradition and mysticism associated with them and the role they still play in the 'theatre' of church, and shows how colour and ornament are used in the symbolism of the Christian faith. It explores the history of vestment production up to the present day, covering the practicalities of design, the sourcing of fabrics and the embroiderers themselves.