Funeral palls, undated
Scope and Contents
Textiles for use by clerics and altar servers during Mass, as well as textiles for the adornment of the church and the celebration of the Mass.
Dates
- Creation: undated
Creator
- From the Collection: Leonard, William J. (1908-2000) (Compiler, Person)
Language of Materials
This collection is mostly in English, with some materials in French, German, Italian, Latin, Lithuanian, Polish, Slovenian, and Spanish.
Access Note
Collection is open for research.
Definition and use
A pall, also called mortcloth or casket saddle, is a cloth that covers a casket or coffin at funerals. The word comes from the Latin "pallium," cloak. The color of a pall varies, either matching the liturgical color, black, or white. The pall is placed on the casket or coffin as soon as it arrives at the church and is removed at the graveside, just before the casket or coffin is lowered into the ground. After the burial, palls are sometimes given to the Church to use for vestments or other decorations.
Sources:
Mershman, Francis. "Funeral Pall." In The Catholic Encyclopedia. Robert Appleton Company, 1909. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06322a.htm.
"Pall (funeral)," Wikipedia, August 7, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pall_(funeral).
Full Extent
2.5 Linear Feet (1 container)
Repository Details
Part of the John J. Burns Library Repository
John J. Burns Library
Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill MA 02467 USA
617-552-4861
burns@bc.libanswers.com