FRIENDS of ARUNDEL CATHEDRAL
Winter 2023
A corner of the exhibition of vestments, showing a purple cope of around 1870, with three humeral veils. We were most grateful to the Trustees of Arundel Castle for the loan of the fine Cardinal Morton Cope, to add to the display of pieces from the Cathedral’s own collection.
Cover image – detail of a white, Italian jewelled chasuble.
Dear Friends
Those who attended this year’s AGM will have seen the small but impressive exhibition (opposite) of Cathedral vestments, mounted for the occasion and in honour of the 150th anniversary of our Cathedral church. It was only while working with the senior sacristan Graham Monet, selecting items for display, that I began to grasp just how magnificent is the collection of vestments in the Cathedral’s possession.
Some were commissioned specially by Duke Henry, some were bought as antique examples; some have been bequeathed, some are on permanent loan from other parishes. Altogether there must be over one thousand items, in sets ranging from a single to a dozen pieces. We were greatly assisted in our task by the comprehensive, illustrated catalogue produced over many years by the previous sacristan Michael Rycroft. Nor is his work complete, as a whole new batch from the former seminary at Wonersh, closed in July 2021, is in the process of being recorded.
The form of liturgical vestments, developed over the early centuries of the Church, became more or less standardised by the middle ages. Principal items are the tunic-like chasuble (for priests) or dalmatic (for deacons), worn over a plain white, gown-like alb, with a long scarf-like stole, and a great cope for solemn functions and processions. Within these forms is the potential for a great range of colour, cloth and decoration, appropriate for different seasons and occasions. The selection displayed in the following pages can give only an indication of the richness of the designs and consummate skill of the needlework.
Some items are too delicate for everyday use, but most can be seen, worn by Bishop Richard, Canon David, or other priests and deacons during services at the Cathedral.
Wishing all Friends a happy and holy Christmas
Oliver Hawkins Editor
A green cope from around 1870, on permanent loan from St Pancras Church, Lewes. The cope is covered in gold decoration, with a detachable green velvet hood displaying a floral cross in light gold.
Green is the liturgical colour of renewal and life, and is appropriate for vestments in everyday use.
A white High Mass chasuble, one of a set of eleven pieces. The highly ornate French brocade fabric was rescued from a costumier in Paris in the 1870s, who intended to use it for furniture fittings. Duke Henry acquired the fabric and had it made into vestments for Arundel.
White symbolises light and life, and for this reason is worn on the occasions of Baptism, at Christmas and at Easter.
A Rose-coloured Roman style chasuble from a High Mass set originally of thirteen pieces. The set is of pink fabric covered with floral decoration and bordered in gold braid. In 1985 pieces from other items in the set were used by parishioners Olive and Kathleen Harrison to repair the chasuble.
Rose-coloured vestments, representing joy, are used on only two occasions during the liturgical year: Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent, and Gaudete Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent.
A chasuble in deep purple velvet surrounded by gold edging. The back displays a pelican surmounted by a cross with a pearl at the centre, all in gold on a white background. The motif is in a large cross of light purple edged in gold, and covered with silver and gold flowers against a background of green.
Purple is the liturgical colour of hope and expectation, and is used Advent, Lent, and the liturgy of the dead.
The cope has been on permanent loan since 1997 from the Parish of Petworth.
Red represents the Holy Spirit, and the colour of the blood of the martyrs. Red vestments are used on Good Friday, Palm Sunday, Pentecost, and the festivals of martyred saints.
A red silk cope, with a red velvet hood displaying a white dove surrounded by pink flowers.
A French black velvet chasuble with silver bullion cross, decorated with the letters IHS, leaves and thistles. Purchased by Canon Tim Madele y, and on loan to the Cathedral.
The liturgical use of black is principally for funerals and com memorations of the dead, as in the back cover image of the requiem mass for Du ke Henry’s young wife, Duchess Flora.
CANON ANTHONY WHALE
The 150 years of Arundel Cathedral has been the major anniversary celebrated this year, but another was marked at the Friends’ AGM in October. Forty years ago, in 1983, Fr Anthony Whale was appointed to the Arundel parish. Canon Tony had been a late vocation, following a successful career in the City. This meant that he brought to the role of parish priest and Dean of the Cathedral a high level of financial competence, as well as a practical willingness to get to grips with things. Prior to his ordination Tony had also been an enthusiastic sportsman, and his experience on the playing fields may well have given him the easy manner he showed in dealing with people from all walks of life. Arundel was exceptionally fortunate in having him at the helm for eighteen years, during which time he became greatly loved by his parishioners and greatly liked and respected across the whole community of Arundel.
But it is not just as a parish priest that Tony Whale is remembered. Recognising the great financial challenge of maintaining a large church in a small community, he set about establishing a charitable enterprise to raise funds, and in October 1985, just two years after taking up his post, he launched The Friends of Arundel Cathedral. Working with Bishop Cormac and Duke Miles he was able not only to set up the structure of The Friends, but also to raise a very substantial capital sum for investment. The Friends have been well served by its Council and members ever since, and have been able to make significant contributions each year to the maintenance costs of the Cathedral.
In addition to financial assistance The Friends have been increasingly active in encouraging visits and pilgrimages to the Cathedral; enhancing the experience of worship, in for example their support for the Cathedral’s Choral Scholars; and encouraging a wider appreciation of the Cathedral’s architectural and decorative splendour. With your help their work will continue.
Details of three Humeral Veils - Such veils consist of oblong pieces of material usually richly ornamented or embroidered, worn over the shoulders and covering the hands of the priest when holding the monstrance at Benediction.
The Friends of Arundel Cathedral registered as a company
Limited by guarantee and not having a share capital (No 3792834)
Registered Charity No 1078149
The Friends’ Office, Cathedral House, Parsons Hill, Arundel, West Sussex BN18 9AY
Telephone: 01903 884567, Email: aruncathfriends@btconnect.com
Fitzalan Chapel window, showing a priest in a black chasuble, assisted by Duke Henry and his son Philip, at the requiem mass for Duchess Flora.