FORMAL. – Also called rational or pectoral, it is a metal lamina, of gold or silver, set with gems, the size of a hand, which is worn on the chest where it secures and fastens the cope of bishops within their own diocese.
Many authors wish to derive it from the rational of the Jewish high priest, who wore on his chest an ornament called precisely "rational" with twelve different precious stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Others, however, derive it from the word of Late Latin *firmaculum*, a kind of clasp or buckle used to fasten garments. Nothing is prescribed regarding its shape, so that goldsmiths may exercise their skill in depicting figures or symbols, intertwining enamels and precious stones. In modern *formali*, the prevailing custom is to represent the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove with outstretched wings: a symbol of His assistance to the bishop in the governance of the diocese.
Since the *formale* is, as has been said, an exclusive ornament of bishops within their diocese, it is forbidden by the ceremonial of bishops to priests in attendance and to non-diocesan bishops. Only the cardinal bishops of the suburbicarian sees have the privilege of wearing the *formale* everywhere, even in Rome, whether they attend a pontifical Mass celebrated by the Supreme Pontiff or whether they themselves solemnly celebrate liturgical functions. Their *formale*, according to a very ancient custom, consists of a lamina of gilded silver upon which are set, in a perpendicular line, three knots and clusters of pearls.
The Supreme Pontiff also uses the *formale*. The earliest record of its use by Roman pontiffs as a liturgical ornament is found under Martin V., who had one made of gold with relief figures and jewels of great value by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Among other papal *formali*, notable is the one made by Benvenuto Cellini at the order of Clement VII. As the Cancellieri recounts, it represented the Eternal Father seated upon a diamond of 126 grains supported by various angels and cherubim, between two oriental sapphires of pure branches and two oriental balas rubies with various gems. Only a copy of it exists in the papal sacristy; the original was taken by Napoleon.
At present the Pope has three different *formali*: one of pearls which he uses when wearing the silver-bladed mitre, that is, at funerals and on Sundays of Advent and Lent. (It should be noted that the pearl clusters are arranged in a triangle.) The second, the common one, which he uses at all functions except Vespers and pontifical Masses, when the Pope wears the gold-bladed mitre; and finally the precious one which he uses at all the most solemn functions and at all Vespers and pontifical Masses, when he wears the precious mitre. These last two have the same shape: the oval lamina represents the Holy Spirit in the form of a radiant dove, adorned with pearls and a garland of vine leaves with clusters of grapes, among which are arranged in a circle twelve precious stones; they differ only in the richness and variety of the stones.
Finally, it should be noted the *formale* which is placed on the cope of the statue of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica on his feast day; it is a lamina of gilded silver having at the center a dove with outstretched wings and rays, representing the Holy Spirit.