The above photo shows what is known as the cappa magna, a variation on trains usually worn by royalty. It remains a cermonial train worn by Cardinals, who happen to be princes of the Church. It is only worn at liturgical functions and posing for photographs. Few people realize that the modern term "drag" was inspired by such garments.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Cappa Magna
The above photo shows what is known as the cappa magna, a variation on trains usually worn by royalty. It remains a cermonial train worn by Cardinals, who happen to be princes of the Church. It is only worn at liturgical functions and posing for photographs. Few people realize that the modern term "drag" was inspired by such garments.
A third of that bolt of fabric would be overkill. I think it's quite ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteI do too Michael. I appreciate the rest of the vesture however.
ReplyDeleteWell I like it!
ReplyDeleteYou are a girl. Kidding Jackie! I like the color and the fabric - and I like the costume - in its day.
ReplyDeleteThe day being now, since the cappa was never abandoned. It is, of course, up to the personal preference of every bishop as well as every faithful. Some think it's too royal, too triumphant, too undemocratic, too gay. I think if you can resist the temptation of worshipping the one who wears it, or - even worse - the cappa itself, the garment is just fine and a beautiful albeit excessive piece of catholic eye-candy.
ReplyDeleteOMG...I thought this stuff went out with JPII's efforts to show forth the papacy's servant-shepherd role and no longer hold onto the trappings of medieval ecclesial land-holders, lords and masters. He got rid of the portable throne, the tiara...this is horrible PR.
ReplyDeleteWould Jesus, in his humanity and freely chosen poverty, sit on a throne, flanked by assistans and draped in drag?
This is the kind of stuff (among others) that had Luther going and which is just the kind of kindling some today need who are just waiting to wag a finger at Christ's Church.
... if, on the other hand you can NOT resist the same old "what would Jesus do"-righteousness, "draped in drag"-analogies and suggesting that people who focus more on the visible Church than on the content have a legit reason to wag the finger: Then the above content is what happens.
ReplyDeleteUm...is the desire to ask "What would Jesus do" some kind of self-righteousness????? I am pretty sure it is a command of our Divine Master. All one need do to answer this is read and meditate on Jesus in the Gospels and know that "as I have done so have I given you an example of what to do." (cf. John 13:15). God grant you peace.
ReplyDeleteOnce, I was wearing a saree and didn't pin it properly. I ended up looking like this photo! :-D
ReplyDelete