Abbey-Roads2

Puddles and puddles of water-stained silk. 

In one of his books, interior designer Billy Baldwin recounts an anecdote concerning his mentor, the famous interior designer, Ruby Ross Wood.  While working with a relatively nouveau riche client who insisted on an elaborate puddle for her drapery, Miss Wood, who loved simplicity and restraint as opposed to ostentatious display,  feigning acquiescence to her client’s wishes , responded,  “Well my dear, in that case, why don’t we let them puddle across the floor, through the foyer, and out the door, onto the street, so that your neighbors and passers-by may see how rich your husband is.”  I can’t remember if Miss Wood completed the design project for the client or not.

The story of puddling curtains comes to mind each time I see a photo of a prelate in a “cappa magna”.   Of course it is just my personal opinion, but I think this embellishment to the dress of a Cardinal is somewhat ostentatious. I’ve written about it before and readers have ‘corrected’ me, but I haven’t changed my mind.  (Although it doesn’t matter what I think, does it - I’m just a “hobbyist” when it comes to ecclesial fashion.)

Cappaphobia.

That said, Gerald Warner has an article at Telegraph.com.UK  insisting this subject poses a mental disorder for progressive Catholics, which he calls, “Cappaphobia”.  (He’s being cheeky, right?)  I’m hardly a progressive Catholic, and neither was Pius XII, whom he gently reproaches for modifying the cappa magna; “In 1952 Pius XII, in a misguided fit of radicalism, shortened the cardinalitial cappa from six yards to three.”  Oh!  The humanity!

An orgy of vandalism. 

The gentleman continues with his aesthete lament; “That moment marked the beginning of the Church’s downward trajectory. In 1969 Paul VI, in an orgy of vandalism reminiscent of the burning of patents of nobility in the French National Assembly in 1789, abolished the winter ermine hood on the cappa, along with the cardinals’ galero hat, the red tabarro cape, buckled shoes and just about everything that compensated for the sacrifices Catholicism imposes on the faithful.”  Such drama!

Widen the phylacteries and make those tassels long.

I know!  It is not the same thing.  However, I’m quite certain the origins of the cappa magna had a lot to do with vanity, status and ostentatious display - and yes, of course, it was the prevailing custom, and it made the obvious statement of power and authority.  Personally, I think a 3 foot train is more than adequate, whereas 6 feet of watered silk is a bit grand in any age.  These are essentially court trappings, which may be altered or modified according to custom; to like them or dislike them has less to do with one’s orthodoxy, but rather taste. 

So, as far as Ruby is concerned, let the cappa magnas train for blocks and blocks and see  how many souls are swept up into the Church because of them.  Although, then the question remains, will they tolerate the Gospel read in Latin or the vernacular?   

Links:

Cappaphobia

Ruby Ross Wood

Billy Baldwin

Photo credits: 

Top: From Crescat (That cappa is indeed magna - looks to be about 18 feet.)

Bottom: Zeferelli adjusting costumes on the set of  “Brother Sun, Sister Moon”