Chasuble

This chasuble was worn in the Roman Catholic Basilicia (now the Cathedral) on Hill Street. It is made from silk with exquisite hand embroidered gold work executed in Europe (probably France or Belgium).

The chasuble is the main vestment worn by the priest for the celebration of the (Mass) Eucharist, and lent itself to elaborate and rich displays of decoration. Such highly decorated vestments were in keeping with a ceremony which was closely aligned to a medieval church with close links to the royal courts of the day. These are not in common use today where the emphasis is on simplicity.

The colours of chasubles must correspond to the colour prescribed for each season of worship. By the 12th century there were five main liturgical colours: black, white, voilet, green and red. They arose from the mystical meanings attached to them. For example, green is the colour of life and growth, of plants and trees, and the hope of life eternal - it serves as an all purpose colour and is the most commonly seen in the Catholic and Anglican churches during what is called ordinary time.