Maniple (vestment)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The maniple, seen here embroidered with a Cross, is worn on the arm by a priest celebrating Mass.

For the Roman military unit, see Maniple (military unit).

The maniple is a liturgical vestment used primarily within the Roman Catholic Church and occasionally used in some Anglo-Catholic churches. It is an embroidered band of silk or similar fabric that when worn hangs from the left arm. It is only used within the context of the Mass, and it is of the same liturgical colour as the other Mass vestments.^[1] In 1972, the Roman Catholic Church made the maniple an optional vestment in the reformed Mass of Paul VI. While the maniple was never formally abolished or suppressed, it eventually fell out of general use. The maniple is, however, still a required vestment for the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, which is more commonly referred to as the Tridentine Mass.

1 Present Usage
2 Historical Origin
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Present Usage

In the context of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, the maniple is worn by the celebrant, deacon, and sub-deacon in a Solemn Mass. In a Low Mass or a Sung Mass (Missa Cantata) it is worn by the celebrant alone. The maniple is only worn during the liturgy of the Mass itself and is not worn during other liturgies or rites that might occur before or after Mass such as the asperges, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, or any other sacrament or sacramental. The maniple is customarily removed while preaching. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI promulgated the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, which allowed for increased celebration of the Tridentine or Extraordinary Form of the Mass. In addition to being used in the Roman Rite, the maniple is also used in most of the Latin liturgical rites.

The maniple is rarely seen today in the context of the celebration of the Ordinary Form of the Mass. It has been argued that, since the General Instruction of the Roman Missal makes no mention of the maniple, it should not be worn in celebrations of the Ordinary Form of the Roman rite. It is noteworthy, however, that the General Instruction of the Roman Missal also makes no mention of the burse, yet this item is by no means rare in the celebration of the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

[edit] Historical Origin

Two black maniples.

Originally the maniple was likely a piece of linen which clerics used to wipe their faces and hands and has been described by some modern commentators as being akin to a handkerchief. It appears to have been used in the Roman liturgy since at least the 6th century. The maniple can vary widely in size, shape, and degree of embroidery and ornamentation.

Common symbolic comments refer to the maniple's likeness to the rope by which Christ was led and the chains which bound his hands. It has also become known as an emblem of the tears of penance, the burden of sin, and the fatigue of the priestly office. This understanding is reflected in the vesting prayer said while putting on the maniple before Mass. Anglican commentators have described the maniple as a symbol of being a servant.

In the unreformed Papal Mass the Pope wears a special maniple intertwined with red and gold threads, symbolizing the unity of the Eastern and Western rites of the Catholic Church.