The Main thing is "Simple" -- Whatever That May Mean: Cardinal Schönborn's Ugly Vestments

One of the Vienna Cardinal's regalia was so ugly that he even presented it at the Old Liberal trade exhibition in Italy.

Their "simple" vestments

(kreuz.net) The Viennese Liturgy Seminar will feature liturgical robes at the clerical exposition „koiné 2011“ in the northern Italian city of Vicenza.

The website 'erzdiozese-wien.at' reported this in March.

For Sister Imelda Ruf the dubious invitation to the Mass is "a promise that we are on the right way."

The Sister belongs to the Benedictine Cloister Steinerkirchen fifty kilometers south west of Linz.

She works as a seamstress in the Liturgy Seminar of the Archdiocese of Vienna. There she is responsible for vestments.

Her Cloister has also served over many years as the fashion taylor for Old Liberal Vestments.

Expensive Stuff -- Cheap Design

In Vicenza the Archdiocese of Vienna presents the "white diocesan regalia" which Sister Imelda had made.

It is said to be a question of a "humble white regalia for our time" -- she explains how the mass robe came into being.

According to Sister Imelda's account, today, there is just as earlier the use of "expensive material" -- "but with lighter and more simple materials".

Above all, pure silk will be used. They're made from Dupioni silk which is often taken for wild silk and is known for its irregular structure.

The Mass robes are even being completed from this material.

The liturgical directions are also important, which relate especially to color, form, mass and symbolism -- said Sister.

"Too Elaborate"

The goal of the conference in Vicenza was to show Mass robes and stoles, "which are innovatively completed in the spirit of the Liturgical Constitution of the Second Vatican Council".

The supposed jury panel have selected "simple robes" -- a chasuble and four stoles.

Sister Imelda continued:

"The Papal chasuble, which Benedict XVI wore at his visit to Vienna, is much too elaborate and will not be displayed."

One of the exponents was a "violet, living tree chasuble", which Cardinal Schönborn brought as part of the second Diocesan collection.

The pieces can be borrowed from the lending services for Viennese Parishes.

Translated from kreuz.net...