The ferraiolo (also ferraiuolo, ferraiolone) is a type of

cape A cape is a clothing accessory or a sleeveless outer garment of any length that hangs loosely and connects either at the neck or shoulders. They usually cover the back, shoulders, and arms. They come in a variety of styles and have been used th ...

traditionally worn by

clergy Clergy are formal leaders within established religions. Their roles and functions vary in different religious traditions, but usually involve presiding over specific rituals and teaching their religion's doctrines and practices. Some of the ter ...

in the

Catholic Church The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the List of Christian denominations by number of members, largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics Catholic Church by country, worldwid ...

on formal, non-liturgical occasions. It can be worn over the shoulders, or behind them, extends in length to the ankles, is tied in a bow by narrow strips of cloth at the front, and does not have any 'trim' or piping on it.

History

The ferraiolo originated as a knee-length item of clothing for Roman nobility. It became a church garment in the 15th century when colours were associated with ranks in the church hierarchy.

Colour and material

The colour of the ferraiolo is determined by the rank of the cleric, being black for secular priests, violet for protonotaries apostolic and

bishop A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...

s, and scarlet for

cardinal Cardinal or The Cardinal most commonly refers to * Cardinalidae, a family of North and South American birds **''Cardinalis'', genus of three species in the family Cardinalidae ***Northern cardinal, ''Cardinalis cardinalis'', the common cardinal of ...

s.Ceremonial of Bishops, ''Cæremoniale Episcoporum.'' Congregation for Divine Worship, 14 Sep 1984. 1205. Before 1969, members of

religious orders A religious order is a subgroup within a larger confessional community with a distinctive high-religiosity lifestyle and clear membership. Religious orders often trace their lineage from revered teachers, venerate their founders, and have a d ...

could use a ferraiolo that matched the color of their habit. The colors also changed during

sede vacante In the Catholic Church, ''sede vacante'' is the state during which a diocese or archdiocese is without a prelate installed in office, with the prelate's office being the cathedral. The term is used frequently in reference to a papal interre ...

. Cardinals, and patriarchs who are not cardinals, use a ferraiolo of watered silk. Archbishops, bishops and protonotaries may use silk but not watered silk, unless specifically permitted. Lesser prelates may use faille but should use wool and wear the ferraiolo behind the shoulders. Celestino Migliore

Use

Pope Paul VI encouraged wearing the ferraiolo at formal, non-liturgical occasions. The

Pope The pope is the bishop of Rome and the Head of the Church#Catholic Church, visible head of the worldwide Catholic Church. He is also known as the supreme pontiff, Roman pontiff, or sovereign pontiff. From the 8th century until 1870, the po ...

may use a cape but does not wear a ferraiolo.James-Charles Noonan Jr. (1996). ''The Church Visible''. Viking. p.312-314. https://archive.org/details/churchvisiblecer0000noon

References

* John Abel Nainfa, SS: ''Costume of Prelates of the Catholic Church: According to Roman Etiquette'', Revised Edition (Baltimore, Maryland, USA: John Murphy Company, 1926).

Notes

{{Clothing Catholic clerical clothing Robes and cloaks