Cassocks and simars, undated
Scope and Contents
Most are the usual black; one is a white cassock worn in warmer climates.
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 cassock is an ankle-length robe worn by Catholic clergy members. The standard cassock is black with buttons on the front and a high collar. During public church ceremonies, however, different clergy members will wear different colors: popes in white, cardinals in scarlet, bishops in purple, and priests in black. A simar, also spelled "cymar," is a cassock with an attached pellegrina (short cape), and has fallen out of use post-Vatican II.
Sources:
“Cassock,” Wikipedia, June 7, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassock.
Lo Bello, Anthony. The Origins of Catholic Words: A Discursive Dictionary. Catholic University of America Press, 2020. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvx077ht.5.
“Simar,” Wikipedia, January 3, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simar.
Zuhlsdorf, Father John. “Ask Father: Shoulder cape on cassocks for priests.” Father Z’s Blog (blog), April 20, 2015. https://wdtprs.com/2015/04/ask-father-shoulder-cape-on-cassocks-for-priests.
Full Extent
7 Items
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