GUANTI

GLOVES. — The introduction of gloves (chirotheca) into the liturgy is due to the desire to make episcopal attire increasingly distinctive and solemn. At the beginning of the ninth century, Amalario tells us nothing about the use of gloves by bishops; nevertheless, an inventory of the abbey of St-Riquier from 831 attests to their use: «Wanti castanei auro parati». Magani (L'antica liturgia romana, III, Milano 1899, p. 170) cites other documents from the tenth century and a precise liturgical attestation in the Sacramentary of Ratolfo di Corbie (d. 986): «Tunc ministrentur ei (= to the bishop who is vesting for Mass) manicae... postea detur

(courtesy of Msgr. A. P. Frulaz)
GUANTI – Hand of s. Piechelmo covered with gloves. Detail of the silver reliquary bust (1480) – Oldenzaal (Netherlands), church of S. Piechelmo.
GUANTI - GUARDIANS ADORERS OF THE EUCHARIST

when, at the end, they give the papal blessing (S. Congregation of Rites, 3605, 9). Originally they were white, generally made of silk; from the 13th century they were also made in the other liturgical colors, except black, since they are forbidden at Masses for the dead and on Good Friday. On the upper part they bear embroidery with symbols of Jesus Christ. The prayer with which they are presented to the newly elected indicates that their purpose is not to protect against the cold, but rather to keep the hands clean.