Beautiful pictures! Brings to mind Venerable Pope John Paul the Great's book "Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way", in which he talks about his episcopal consecration. Definitely a "must-read"!
It isn't a turban, though maybe technically it is... well... it is a long piece of linen cloth which is wrapped around the head to catch any dripping oil from the unction (blessing with holy oil) he received. The kings of france, upon being annointed in the hands, were given gloves made of linen to absorb and protect the area. These gloves were burnt after the ceremony for they had holy oil and could not be defiled if let be. The kings of England (back when they were still Catholics) also received unction in the head, like the bishops, but instead of the linnen wrap (that is essentially a kind of turban considering the tradition of annointing with oil to make holy is from biblical/jewish/eastern import) so instead of the linen wrap, they used a coif, like the type babies still used in their baptism outfits (or women desiring to get hair highlights from a box put on and tie with a string on the chin before plucking the hair through it with a needle...which is the funniest sight ever...but off-topic.) So to sum up: It's linen to hold the holy oil in place. I'm not sure, but I believe that after Vatican II Council this is no longer done... I do not know how they manage the oil nowadays... with less ceremony or mark of respect is to be expected... sadly.
Beautiful pictures! Brings to mind Venerable Pope John Paul the Great's book "Rise, Let Us Be On Our Way", in which he talks about his episcopal consecration. Definitely a "must-read"!
ReplyDeleteWhat is the turban-like headdress he wears in the first picture?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the turban-like headdress he wears in the first picture?
ReplyDeleteIt isn't a turban, though maybe technically it is... well... it is a long piece of linen cloth which is wrapped around the head to catch any dripping oil from the unction (blessing with holy oil) he received.
ReplyDeleteThe kings of france, upon being annointed in the hands, were given gloves made of linen to absorb and protect the area. These gloves were burnt after the ceremony for they had holy oil and could not be defiled if let be. The kings of England (back when they were still Catholics) also received unction in the head, like the bishops, but instead of the linnen wrap (that is essentially a kind of turban considering the tradition of annointing with oil to make holy is from biblical/jewish/eastern import) so instead of the linen wrap, they used a coif, like the type babies still used in their baptism outfits (or women desiring to get hair highlights from a box put on and tie with a string on the chin before plucking the hair through it with a needle...which is the funniest sight ever...but off-topic.)
So to sum up: It's linen to hold the holy oil in place. I'm not sure, but I believe that after Vatican II Council this is no longer done... I do not know how they manage the oil nowadays... with less ceremony or mark of respect is to be expected... sadly.