A closer look at the liturgical vestments, altar linens for papal visit 

 

Talleres de Nazaret created the liturgical vestments and altar linens that Pope Francis will use during the Mass at the Manila Cathedral on January 16. They made one chasuble (the outermost liturgical vestment), three mitres (headdresses), and four stoles for Pope Francis. They also made 250 chasubles for the bishops and 1,500 stoles for the priests. 

 

Pope Francis' chasuble features golden embroidery of three Jerusalem Crosses. This garment, as well as the mitre and the stole, were sent to the Vatican less than two weeks before the visit.  

 

Meanwhile, the altar linens for the same Mass are made of matte gold and embroidery. 

 

Filipino-inspired designs 

 

Fr. Aris Sison, Rector of Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao said in an interview with Unang Balita that aside from the Jerusalem Cross, the Pope's liturgical vestments also feature Filipino-inspired designs. 

Pope Francis' mitre, designed by Disenio Sagrado and executed by Talleres de Nazaret, feature sampaguita, anahaw, and bamboo spelling the Christogram JHS. 

 

Other vestments of the Pope also feature the Good Shepherd design. 

 

"Unang-una, si Pope Francis is the Holy Father and he is the shepherd. Kaya ang isa sa mga favorite symbols is the Good Shepherd," the rector shared. 

 

Sison also explained that since Pope Francis' coming falls at the end of Christmas season and the Feast of Sto. Niño, the papal vestments are in white, based on the liturgical color of the season. 

 

As for the Pope's arrival in Manila, the priest said the Holy Father will be in his usual attire, consisting of a white sutana and zucchetto or skull cap. — Trisha Macas/VC, GMA News