Chasuble
The
chasuble, (one of the liturgical
vestments of
Christian churches of various
denominations including
Roman Catholics and
Anglicans), was originally a wide mantle, with a round hole in the middle through which to pass the head, and falling to the feet. Over the centuries it was reduced to the shape of a broad scapular which left the arms completely free at each side. Following the
Second Vatican Council, the scapular form fell out of fashion and it is a variation of the original that is now most commonly used. It is the principal and most conspicuous of the vestments used at
Mass. It is invariably made of some rich material such as
silk or cloth of gold and often richly embroidered. It hangs evenly from the priest's shoulders to his knees. Ordinarily it bears the image of the cross and is a symbol of the purple robe in which
Jesus was clothed by
Herod and mocked.