Charles Borromeo’s
INSTRUCTIONES FABRICAE ET SUPELLECTILIS ECCLESIASTICAE, 1577
BOOK I and BOOK II
A TRANSLATION WITH COMMENTARY AND ANALYSIS
INSTRUCTIONUM FABRICAE
ET SUPELLECTILIS ECCLESIASTICAE LIBRI II
Dr. Evelyn Carol Voelker translated this book before she died more on her is found here please say an Ave for her
CAROLI S.R.E. CARD. TIT. S. PRAXEDIS ARCIIlEPISCOPI IUSSU
EX PROVINCIAL! DECRETO EDIT! AD PROVINCIA MEDIOLANENSIS USUM,
CAROLUS
S.R.E. PRESBYTER CARDINALIS TITULI S. PRAXEDIS, ARCHIEPISCOPUS S. ECCLESIAE MEDIOLANENSIS
CLERO POPULOQUE PROVINCIAE NOSTRAE SALUTEM IN DOMINO.
BOOK ONE CONTENTS
PASTORAL LETTER TO THE MILANESE CLERGY, 1577
INSTRUCTIONUM
FABRICAE ECCLESIASTICAE
LIBER I
I. THE SITE OF A CHURCH (DE SITU ECCLESIAE)
On the proximity and conjunction of ecclesiastical buildings with the site of the church
The general area of the church
II. PLAN OF THE CHURCH (DE ECCLESIAE FORMA)
The way to design a church in the form of a cross
III. EXTERIOR WALLS AND THE FACADE (DE PARIETIBUS EXTERIOR/BUS)
IV. ATRIUM, PORTICO AND PORCH (DE ATRIO, PORTICU, ET VESTIBULO)
V. THE ROOF (DE TECTO)
VI. THE FLOOR (DE PAVIMENTO)
VII. DOORWAYS (DE OSTIIS)
VIII. THE WINDOWS (DE FENESTRIS)
IX. STAIRS AND STEPS OF THE CHURCH (DE ECCLESIAE SCALA ET GRADIBUS)
X. MAIN CHAPEL (DE CAPPELLA MAIORI)
XI. MAIN ALTAR (DE ALTARI MAIORI)
XII. THE CHOIR (DE CHORO)
XIII. THE TABERNACLE OF THE MOST HOLY EUCHARIST (DE TABERNACULO SANCTISSIMAE EUCHARISTIAE)
XIV. MINOR CHAPELS AND ALTARS (DE CAPPEUIS ET ALTARIBUS MINORIBUS)
XV. DETAILS COMMON TO CHAPELS AND MAJOR AND MINOR ALTARS (COMMUNIA CAPPELLARUM ALTARIUMVE MAIORUM ET MINORUM)
The iron nail on which to hang the biretta
Railings enclosing chapels and altars
The wooden moulding of the altar
The wooden gradine at the back part of the altar
The relic niche in the altar to be consecrated
The altar table and the waxcloth
The stone of the portable altar
XVI. PLACES, VASES AND NICHES IN WHICH THE SACRED RELICS ARE KEPT (DE LOCIS, VASIS LOCULUSVE QUIBUS SACRAE RELIQUIAE RECONDUNTUR)
Containers and loculi for the relics to be kept in the locations prescribed above
XVII. SACRED IMAGES OR PICTURES (DE SACRIS IMAGINIBUS PICTURISVE)
What is to be avoided and what is to be observed in the sacred images
Locations unsuitable for sacred pictures
The names of the saints that must sometimes be inscribed
Accessories and ornamental additions
XVIII. LAMPS OR LAMPADARIUM AND LIGHTING FIXTURES (DE LAMPADIBUS, LAMPADARIOVE)
The location of the hanging lamps
XIX. THE BAPTISTERY (DE BAPTISTERIO)
The location and form of the baptistery chapel
The altar of the baptistery chapel
Location of the baptistery when it is not possible to erect it separate from the church
Differences in the baptistery according to the Roman and the Ambrosian rites
Site and form of the baptistery of Roman rite
Site and form of the baptistery of Ambrosian rite
Details common to Roman and Ambrosi an baptisteries
The site of the one and the other baptistery
The ambry for the Holy Chrism, etc.
The smaller kind of baptistery
Another form of chapel or site, to be used both in the baptistery of Roman and of Ambrosian rite
Placement of the baptistery on the right side
Second form of baptistery of Roman rite
Second form of baptistery of Ambrosian rite
Details common to both second forms of baptistery
Third form of baptistery, only for the Roman rite
XX. SACRARIUM (DE SACRARIO)
XXI. HOLY WATER FONT (DE VASE AQUAE SANCTAE)
XXII. AMBONES AND PULPIT (DE AMBONIBUS, ET SUGGESTU)
XXIII. THE CONFESSIONAL (DE CONFESSIONALI)
The wooden armrest for the confessor to Jean on
Representation of the crucifix
What is to be attached to some of the panels of the confessional
Alms boxes are not to be placed in the confessional
Location of the confessionals in the church
The location of the confessor and of the penitent
XXIV. THE WOODEN PARTITION USED TO DIVIDE THE CHURCH (DE TABULATO AD USUM ECCLES/£ DISTINGUENDJE)
XXV. SEATS FOR WOMEN CALLED BRADELLE (DE SEDILIBUS MULIEBRIBUS QUAS BRADELLAS DICUNT)
XXVI. BELL TOWER AND BELLS (DE TURRI CAMPANILI, ET CAMPANIS)
Brick piers in place of the be)) tower
Blessing of the bells and what is to be avoided in their casting
XXVII. SEPULCHERS AND CEMETERIES (DE SEPULCRIS, ET COEMETERIIS)
XXVIII. SACRISTY (DE SACRISTIA)
Site of the sacristy and its windows
Location of the holy image and the altar in the sacristy
The oratory or the altar in the sacristy
The wardrobe for sacred vestments
Racks for banging the sacred vestments
On the most important wardrobe
The wardrobe for the canons’ vestments
XXIX. THE PLACE WHERE THE BIERS AND OTHER SIMILAR OBJECTS SHOULD BE KEPT (DE LOCO UBI FERETRA, ET CAETERA ID GENERIS ASSERVENTUR)
XXX. THE ORATORY, WHERE MASS IS OCCASIONALLY CELEBRATED (DE ORATORIO, UBI MISS.IE SACRUM AUQUANDO FIERI DEBET)
XXXI. ORATORIES IN WHICH MASS IS NOT CELEBRATED (DE ORATORUS, IN QVIBUS MISSA NON CELEBRATUR)
XXXII. THE CHURCH FOR NUNS (DE ECCLESIA MONIALIUM)
The window to be set above the main altar
The window through which the sacred vestments are passed
The small opening for administering Holy Communion
The opening for the holy oil for the sick
XXXIII. A MONASTERY FOR NUNS (DE MONASTERIO MONIALIUM)
The upper quarters of the monastery
Separate spaces of the monastery
Site for the education of young girls
Monastery gardens (Kitchen garden and garden)
The place to hear the Holy Confession
External lodgings for servants and temporary farm help
Living quarters of the lay sisters
A few precautions to keep in mind in building the monastery in general
XXXIV. A FEW PRECAUTIONS REGARDING ALL ECCLESIASTICAL BUILDINGS (CAUTIONES QUAEDAM DE OMNI ECCLESIASTICA AEDIFICATIONE)
LIBER II
I. FURNISHINGS OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH (DE SUPELLECTILLE ECCLESIAE CATHEDRALIS)
FURNISHINGS
Furnishings of the main altar when the bishop celebrates
Episcopal vestments, hangins, ornaments, needed for the masses, divine offices and solemn ministries
Vestments of the ministers assisting the bishop in the celebration of the solemn divine offices
Offices furnishings to be used in the mass, divine offices and other solemn episcopal ministries
Furnishings used in the masses and episcopal offices with regards to the variety of colors must be fivefold
LINEN AND FINE LINEM VESTMENTS AND CLOTHS TO BE USED BY THE EPISCOPAL MINISTRIES, FOR THE REQUIRED CLEANING, SHOULD BE MULTIPLE, AS LISTED BELOW
Linen vestments used by the bishop
Linen vestments used by the those assisting the bishop
FURNISHINGS (DE SUPELLECTILE)
To be used by the canons and other ministers of the cathedral church in the conventual masses and in the divine offices
Equipment of the main altar
Furnishings to be used in the conventual mass and in the divine offices
Furnishings used only in the mass
Furnishings of common use for the conventual mass, the divine offices and the and the processions
Books or volumes used in the divine offices in the metropolitan church of Ambrosian rite
Books of volumes used in the divine offices of other cathedral churches
Furnishings used in the cult and the administration of the holy Eucharist and other sacraments
Furnishings common to many sacred ministries
Furnishings used only in the funeral offices
Furnishings of the cathedral sacristy
Also the following books or volumes, and that is
Parish resisters in the cathedral church
Equipment and tools to be kept in a place near the sacristy.
CRITERIA REGARDING THE APPURTENANCES AND THEIR QUALITY
Apparatus
List of the objects that must be twofold
List of the objects that must be threefold
Sacred vestments and hangings, as listed above, in which the sets must be fivefold
Linen cloths of which there must be many so that they can be changed when some of them are washed
Linen altar cloths in the conventual masses
Linen cloths and vestments to be used by the priests in the conventual masses
Linen vestments to be used by the assistant ministers during conventual mass
Linen cloths to be used when the holy communion is distributed to the people in the church
Linen cloths to be used in the various ministries
Altar furnishings for the minor altar in the cathedral basilica
List of the objects of which there must be two sets because of the solemnity of the day and of which there must be five sets because of the variety of colors
Linen cloths and vestments
Furnishings for a minor altar without an endowment, but approved by the bishop just the same for a necessary cause
Equipment commonly used on minor altars
II. FURNITURE OF THE COLLEGIATE CHURCH (DE SUPELLECTILE ECCLESIAE COLLEGIATAE)
Furniture of the main altar
Furnishings to be used in the conventual mass and divine offices
Furnishings needed only for the mass
Furnishings of common use at the conventual mass, the divine offices and the processions
Books or volumes to be used in the divine offices in the collegiate churches of Roman rite
Books or volumes to be used in the divine offices in the collegiate churches of Ambrosian rite
Equipment to be used in the cult, in the administration of the holy Eucharist and other sacraments
Equipment common to many sacred ministries
Equipment used in funeral offices
Equipment for the collegiate sacristy
Also the following books and that is
Also parish registers and that is
Equipment to keep in a place near the sacristy
Equipment of which there must be two for use on solemn days
Cloths and vestments of which must be three
Cloths of which there must be five
Number of linem cloths and vestments
Altar cloths
Priests’ linen vestments and cloths for the conventual masses
Linen vestments for the ministers
Linen cloths for the distribution of the holy communion
Linen cloths and vestments to be used in various ministries
Equipment of the minor altars in the collegiate church
Equipment for the minor altar accorded for necessary cause
Common equipment
III. EQUIPMENT IN THE PARISH CHURCH (DE SUPELLECTILE ECCLESIAE PAROCHIALIS)
Equipment for the main altar
Vestment for the parish priest to be used in the parish mass without singing
Vestments commonly used both by the parish priest and by the other clerics who act as ministers not only for the solemn sung parish mass, but also for other divine offices
Other furnishings to be used in the mass
Equipment for common use at the mass, the divine offices and the processions
Books or volumes of the divine office in the parish churches of Roman rite
Books or volumes to be used in the divine offices in the parish churches of Ambrosian rite
Equipment to be used in the cult and the administration of the holy Eucharist and other sacraments
Equipment common to many sacred ministries
Equipment of specific use for the funeral offices
Equipment for the parish sacristy
Additional books
Tools to be kept in a place near the sacristy
Furnishings of which there must be two for use on solemn days
Sacred vestments and furnishings of where there must be five each
Number of linen vestments and cloths to be used in the parish mass that is not sung
Linen vestments for the sung masses
Linen cloths for the administration of the holy communion
Linen vestments to be used in various ministries
Equipment of the minor altars in the parish church
Equipment for the minor altar granted for necessary cause
Common apparatus
IV. FURNISHINGS OF THE SIMPLE CHURCH AND ITS SACRISTY (DE SUPELLECTILE ECCLESIAE SIMPLICIS, EUSQUE SACRISTAE)
V. HOMOGENEITY OF THE VESTMENTS AND ORNAMENTS (DE CONVENIENTIA INDUMENTORUM, ET ORNAMENTORUM)
Sacred vestments and cloths of the same material and color
Vestments and cloths that while they must match the colors of the vestments listed above can be of a different material
Ornaments that must be as homogenous as possible in their material, color and make
BOOK TWO
FORM OF THE FURNISHINGS
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
- THE CROSS (DE CRUCE)
- CANDLESTICKS (DE CANDELABRIS)
- THE WICK-TRIMMER AND THE SNUFFER (DE EMUNCTORIO, ET OPERCULO)
- THE ALTAR CARD (DE TABELLA SECRETORUM)
- LINENS OR ALTARS CLOTHS (DE MAPPIS, TOBALEISVE ALTARIS)
- FRONTALS (DE PALIIS)
- THE FRONTLET OR ORNAMENTAL BAND FOR THE DECORATION OF THE ALTAR (DE VELAMENTO, SEU FASCIA AD ORNATUM ALTARIS)
- THE ALTAR COVER (DE TELA STRAGULA ALTARIS)
- THE COVERING FOR THE FOOTPACE AND THE STEPS OF THE ALTAR (DE STRAGULIS BRADELLAE, ET GRADUUM ALTARIS)
- THE BISHOP’S BUSKINS (DE CALIGIS EPISCOPALIBUS)
- THE SLIPPERS (DE SANDALIIS)
- THE AMICE (DE AMICTU)
- THE ALB AND ITS AURIPHRYGIO OR GRAMMATIS (DE ALBA, ET AURIPHRYGIO, SEU GRAMMATIS)
- THE CINCTURE (DE CINGOLO)
- THE STOLE (DE STOLA)
- THE MANIPLE (DE MANIPOLO)
- THE TUNICLE (DE TUNICELLA)
- THE DALMATIC (DE DALMATICA)
- THE EPISCOPLE GLOVES (DE CHIROTHECIS EPISCOPALIBUS)
- THE CHASUBLE (DE PLANETA)
- THE SKULL CAP (DE SUBBIRRETO)
- THE MITER (DE MITRE)
- THE RING (DE ANULO)
- THE GREMIAL (DE GREMIALI)
- THE CROZIER (DE BACULO PASTORALI)
- THE COPE (DE PLUVIALI)
- THE MORSE (DE PECTORALI)
- THE SUBDEACON’S VEIL (DE VELO SUBDIACONALI)
- THE MINISTERIAL VEIL (DE VELIS MINISTERIALIBUS)
- THE CHALICE VEIL (DE VELO CALICIS)
- THE CHALICE (DE CALICE)
- THE PATEN (DE PATENA)
- THE CHALICE BURSE (DE SACCULO CALICIS)
- THE CHALISE CASE (DE THECA CALICIS)
- THE CORPORAL (DE CORPORALI)
- THE BURSE OF THE CORPORAL (DE SACCULO CORPORALIS)
- THE PURIFICATOR (DE PURIFICATORIO)
- THE CRUETS (DE HAMULIS)
- THE CRUET TRAY (DE PELVICULA)
- THE MISSAL (DE MISSALI)
- THE MISSAL BOOKMARK (DE SIGNACULO MISSALIS)
- THE COVERING OF THE MISSAL (DE INTEGUMENTO MISSALIS)
- THE CUSHION OF THE MISSAL (DE PULVINARI MISSALIS)
- THE INSTRUMENT FOR HOLDING THE CANDLE (BUGIA) IN PONTIFICAL SERVICES (DE INSTRUMENTO CANDELAE AD OFFICIORUM PONTIFICALIUM USUM)
- THE THURIBLE, INCENSE-BOAT, AND SPOON (DE THURIBULO, ACERRA, ET COCHLEARI)
- THE COVERING OF THE EPISCOPLE THRONE (DE VESTITU SEDIS EPISCOPALIS)
- THE SEATS OF THE ASSISTANTS TO THE BISHOP (DE SCABELLIS ASSISTENTIUM EPISCOPO)
- THE FALDSTOOL (DE FALDISTORIO)
- THE COVERING OF THE FALDSTOOL (DE INTEGUMENTO FALDISTORII)
- THE CUSHIONS OF THE FALDSTOOL (DE PULVINARIBUS FALDISTORII)
- THE CREDENCE, AND OTHER THINGS (DE ABACO, ET CAETERIS)
- THE LINEN CLOTH TO WIPE THE HANDS (DE LINTEO AD USUM ABSTERGENDI MANUS)
- THE BOOKS (LECTIONARY, BOOK OF THE EPISTLES, BOOK OF THE GOSPELS) AND THEIR COVERS (DE LIBRIS, LECTIONARIO, EPISTOLARIO, ET EVANGELISTARIO, EORUMQUE INTEGUMENTIS)
- THE COVERING OF LECTERNS AND PULPIT (DE INTEGUMENTO LECTORILIUM, ET AMBONIS)
- THE PORTABLE HOLY WATER PAIL (DE VASE GESTATORIO AQUAE BENEDICTAE)
- THE TOWEL TO WIPE THE HEAD OF THE BAPTIZED (DE PANNO AD ABSTERGENDUM CAPUT BAPTIZATI)
- THE VESSELS FOR THE HOLY OILS (DE VASIS SACRORUM OLEORUM)
- THE VEILS OF THE VESSLES OF THE HOLY OILS (DE VELIS VASORUM SACRI OLEI)
- THE SMALL MINISTERING VESSELS (DE VASCULIS MINISTRATORIIS)
- THE SCISSORS FOR USE IN THE SACRED ORDINATIONS (DE FORFICE AD USUM SACRAE ORDINATIONIS)
- THE BASIN FOR VARIOUS EPISCOPAL MINISTRIES (DE PELVICULA AD VARIA MINISTERIA EPISCOPALIA)
- THE BOOK OF EXORCISM (DE LIBRO EXORCISMORUM)
- THE CANDLESTANDS (DE CEREOSTATIS)
- THE SNUFFERS (DE OPERCULIS)
- THE STANDARD OR BANNER (DE LABARO, SEU VEXILLO)
- THE WOODEN CLAPPERS (DE CROTALIS LIGNEIS)
- THE COVERING OF THE PRIEST’S SEAT (DE STRAGULO SEDILIS SACERDOTIS)
- THE HANGINGS (DE AULAEIS)
- THE LECTERNS (DE LECTORILIBUS)
- ECCLESIASTICAL BOOKS OR VOLUMES (DE LIBRIS, SEU VOLUMINIBUS ECCLESIASTICIS)
- THE TABERNACLE VEIL (DE CONOPOEO)
- THE SMALL TABERNACLE OF THE MOST SACRED EUCHARIST (DE TABERNACULO PARVULO SANCTISSIMAE EUCHARISTAE)
- THE CIBORIUM (PYX) (DE PYXIDE)
- THE SACK OF THE PYX (DE SACCULO PYXIDIS)
- THE CIBORIUM VEILS (PYX) (DE VELIS PYXIDIS)
- THE CANOPIES (PROCESSIONAL UMBRELLAS) (DE UMBELLIS)
- THE LANTERNS (DE LATERNIS)
- THE SHORTER CANDLEHOLDERS (DE CEREOSTATIS BREVIORIBUS)
- LINENS TO BE USED FOR THE SACRED EUCHARIST (DE MAPPIS AD USUM SACRAE COMMUNIONIS)
- THE COMMUNION RAILINGS (DE SCABELLIS OBLONGIS)
- THE VESSELS FOR PURIFICATION (DE VASIS PURIFICATIONIS)
- THE CROSS TO BE BROUGHT TO THE SICK (DE CRUCE AD AEGROTOS FERENDA)
- THE PORTABLE PAX BREDE (DE TABELLA GESTATORIA PACIS)
- THE SURPLICE (DE SUPERPELLICEO)
- VESSELS AND INSTRUMENTS WHICH ARE STORED IN THE SACRISTY (DE VASIS, INSTRUMENTIS, QUAE IN SACRISTIA RECONDUNTUR)
- VESSELS OF THE HOLY OILS IN A RURAL PARISH CHURCH (DE VASCULIS SACRORUM OLEORUM IN PLEBANA ECCLESIA)
- VESSELS OF THE HOLY OILS IN A PARISH CHURCH (DE VASIS SACRORUM OLEORUM IN PAROCHIALI ECCLESIA)
- THE VESSEL OF EXTREME UNCTION (DE VASCULO EXTREMAE UNCTIONIS)
- THE VESSEL FOR CARRYING BAPTISMAL WATER (DE VASE AD AQUAM BAPTISMALEM FERENDAM ACCOMMODATO)
- THE CONTAINER IN WHICH THE SACRED HOSTS ARE PRESERVED (DE VASCULO, IN QUO SACRAE HOSTIAE ASSERVANTUR)
- THE VESSEL FOR WASHING CHALICES AND CORPORALS (DE VASE AD USUM ABSTERGENDI CALICES, ET LAVANDI CORPORALIA)
- THE BOXES OF THE CORPORALS AND PURIFICATORS (DE CAPSULIS CORPORALIUM, ET PURIFICATORIORUM)
- THE CARPET FOR THE USE OF THE PRIEST WHO IS VESTING (DE TAPETO USUI SACERDOTIS SACRAS VESTES INDIENTIS)
- TOWELS FOR WIPING HANDS (DE MANTILIBUS USUI ABSTERGENDARUM MANUUM)
- THE TABLETS WHICH ARE HUNG UP IN THE SACRISTY (DE TABELLIS, QUAE IN SACRISTIA AFFIGUNTUR)
- FURNISHINGS FOR FUNERAL SERVICES (DE SUPELLECTILE OFFICIORUM FUNERALIUM)
- THE CROSSES OF THE CATAFALQUE (DE CRUCIBUS COENOTAPHII)
- THE CATAFALQUE CANDLEHOLDERS (DE CANDELABARIS COENOTAPHII)
- THE OTHER FINISHINGS (DE ALIA SUPLELLECTILE INSTRUMENTALI)
CONCLUSION
REGARDING BOTH BOOKS OF INSTRUCTIONS (CAPUT AD DUOS HARUM INSTRUCTIONUM LIBROS PERTINENS)
RULES AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR CLEANING THE CHURCH, THE ALTAR, SACRED PLACES, AND ECCLESIASTICAL FURNISHINGS (REGULAE ET INSTRUCTIONES DE NITORE ET MUNDITIA ECLLESIARUM, ALTARIUM, SACRORUM LOCORUM, ET SUPELLECTILIS ECCLESIASTICAE)
CAROLI S.R.E. CARDINALS TITULI SANCTAE PRAXEDIS ARCHIEPISCOPI IUSSU, EX CONCILII PROVINCIALIS V DECRETO CONFECTAE, ET IN SYNODO XI MEDIOLANENSI PROMULGATAE AD PROVINCIAE MEDIOLANENSIS USUM
