The shoulder cloths, humeral veils or, simply, humerals are liturgical cloths used by the priest, whose use is regulated by books such as the Ceremonial of Bishops and the Ritual of the Eucharist. The humeral is a rectangle of fabric that rests on the shoulders and falls in front. The ends allow the hands to be wrapped to hold sacred vessels with dignity: the monstrance in Eucharistic exposition, or the ciborium when it is carried or when the blessing is given with the Sacrament.
The humeral veils usually have rectangular shapes with 2.50–2.60 metres in length by a width of between 55 and 70 cm (approximately 22–28 in).
Humerals are liturgical cloths made in white or gold colour and they are typically richly embroidered. The shoulder cloths can be made in different materials, such as polyester, woven fabric, and similar textiles.
In practical terms, this sacred clergy apparel combines two planes. On the one hand, the functional usefulness of holding the piece of metalwork without direct contact and, on the other hand, an important symbolic charge highlighting veneration before the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
The word humeral means relating to the shoulder. The term comes from the Latin humerus (shoulder), and the garment receives this name because it rests precisely in that area of the body. In liturgical use, humeral veil indicates directly the placing; the cloth or shoulder veil is a liturgical garment that is placed over the shoulders of the priest and is allowed to fall over the chest to be able to wrap the hands.
The placing seeks stability and freedom of movement. The priestly humeral veil rests on the shoulders and upper part of the back. According to the rubrics of the Ceremonial of Bishops (no. 1115), the minister must receive the veil to cover his hands completely before taking the monstrance, ensuring that the contact is through the fabric and not direct.
Most humeral veils have a clasp or fastening that serves to fix the garment once it is in its optimal place. The clasp must remain firm to prevent the cloth from opening when raising or turning the monstrance, or else it slips over the chasuble or the cope.
The ends remain hanging at the front, at the appropriate height to cover the hands when taking the monstrance. The ends must allow the hands to be wrapped without tightness, especially when raising the Sacrament to bless.
The most recognisable use of the humeral veil appears in Eucharistic worship outside Mass: exposition, adoration and blessing with the Blessed Sacrament. The Ritual of Holy Communion and of Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass (nn. 91–92) specifies that the veil is obligatory for the solemn blessing with the monstrance, while it allows its use (even with the ciborium) to emphasise the sacredness of the moment.
In those celebrations, the gesture of covering the hands when taking the monstrance or ciborium expresses reverence and avoids direct contact that, in this ritual context, is considered improper.
Specific moments in which it is used:
Blessing with the Blessed Sacrament: the minister takes the monstrance or ciborium with hands covered by the ends of the cloth.
Solemn transfers of the Sacrament (for example, from one tabernacle to another) when the rite foresees it with solemnity.
Prolonged exposition: when concluding the adoration and giving the final blessing, the shoulder veil becomes the protagonist again.
In summary: when the rite requires holding the Sacrament to bless or to process, the shoulder cloth becomes the visible sign of that "taking without touching" with bare hands.
In Eucharistic processions, the priestly shoulder cloth acquires a central role: to facilitate a reverent bearing of the Blessed Sacrament. The minister who carries the monstrance or ciborium uses the humeral veil to hold it with covered hands, avoiding direct contact and reinforcing the solemnity of the procession.
Usual situations:
Eucharistic procession with the monstrance, accompanied by incense and candles.
Procession with the ciborium or pyx in solemn transfers according to pastoral circumstances.
Stops or "stations" where brief adoration is carried out and, if appropriate, blessing with the Sacrament.
In the solemnity of Corpus Christi, the use of the humeral veil is particularly expressive.
The procession is a public manifestation of the Eucharistic mystery, and the minister carries the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament with hands covered by the cloth.
During the celebrations of Corpus Christi, the shoulder veil functions as a sign of respect and of the centrality of the Eucharist: the protagonism does not fall on the one who carries the monstrance, but on Christ present.
The Eucharistic embroidery of the humeral reinforces the symbolic message. The crosses, floral motifs, ears of wheat, grapes or the IHS symbol are symbols of the presence of Christ during the celebration.
The humeral colour white or gold is the most usual in a solemn Eucharistic context, for its association with the feast and with the Eucharist. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) determines in its chapter VI that the colour white is proper to the celebrations of the Eucharist, so the humeral follows this chromatic logic of purity and Paschal joy.
There are also humerals in other liturgical colours for specific uses or according to local customs, although white predominates in blessings and processions of the Blessed Sacrament.
On materials and making, what is decisive is that the cloth falls naturally and withstands continued use:
The base fabric is liturgical polyester, damask, brocade or satins with sufficient body to maintain the fall.
The embroidery is usually made in gold thread, with cruciform, floral or Eucharistic motifs. The most elaborate designs include central medallions with a cross with lobed arms, acanthus leaves and vegetal scrolls.
The perimeter braid or trim, generally golden, frames the cloth and reinforces the edges.
The fastening clasp is a metallic piece, usually golden or silver, that secures the cloth over the chest of the celebrant.
The cost of a benediction veil varies according to the quality of the fabric, the density of the embroidery, the presence of trim and the type of clasp.
The shoulder cloths, humeral veils or, simply, humerals are liturgical cloths used by the priest. The humerals are placed over his shoulders and back during pontifical Masses or to carry in procession the Blessed Sacrament. Their function is to carry with reverence the Blessed Sacrament without direct contact, especially in blessings and Eucharistic processions.
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