What Is a Mitre?
Mitres are liturgical headgear and a sign of dignity of bishops, abbots, and certain other prelates in the Catholic Church. The mitre is worn during Mass, solemn blessings, and other pontifical ceremonies.
Types of Mitres
There are three traditional types of mitres, each used for different liturgical occasions:
- Mitra pretiosa (precious mitre) — ornate, decorated with gold embroidery and precious stones; worn on solemn feasts
- Mitra auriphrygiata (gold mitre) — made of gold fabric or white silk with gold embroidery; worn on Sundays and lesser feasts
- Mitra simplex (simple mitre) — plain white linen or silk; worn at funerals, Good Friday, and by concelebrating bishops
Construction and Design
A traditional mitre consists of two stiffened pieces (front and back) joined at the sides, with two lappets (ribbons) hanging from the back. The front typically features an embroidered cross or sacred symbol.
Our Collection
Our mitres are handcrafted by skilled artisans using traditional methods. Available in all three types, with options for custom embroidery and personalization with the bishop's coat of arms.
Embroidered Mitres: Goldwork and Silk Embroidery
An embroidered mitre is a bishop's mitre decorated with hand embroidery — usually goldwork, silk shading or a combination of both. Goldwork is the art of embroidery using metal threads; on a mitre it is typically worked on silk, brocade or wool, and the front and back panels carry an embroidered cross or another sacred symbol. The lappets hanging at the back may be embroidered to match the panels. At pontifical functions the mitre is worn together with an embroidered cope.
Every liturgical mitre in this collection is hand-embroidered by skilled artisans and can be personalized with the bishop's coat of arms, a diocese crest or a custom design. Our embroidered mitres range from $134 to $183, and US orders over $100 ship free.
Materials, Sizes and Care
Traditional mitres are made from silk, brocade, wool or linen, embroidered with gold and silver metallic threads and silk. The proper liturgical colour of every mitre is white: a white mitre in linen, silk or brocade is standard, and in liturgical usage gold and silver fabrics also count as white; only the embroidered bands and lappets may be in the liturgical colour of the day.
Our mitres come in sizes from 54 cm to 64 cm (21.3–25.2 in) depending on the model, measured as head circumference. If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one; custom sizes are available on request.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mitres
What is a Catholic mitre hat?
A Catholic mitre hat — also spelled miter — is a tall folding cap consisting of two stiffened panels (front and back) joined at the sides, with two lappets hanging from the back. It is the traditional ceremonial headdress of bishops and certain abbots, and it is worn during pontifical Mass, solemn blessings and other liturgical functions.
Who is allowed to wear a mitre?
In the Catholic Church, the right to wear the mitre belongs to bishops, abbots, cardinals (whether or not they are bishops) and prelates canonically equivalent to diocesan bishops. The mitre and the other pontifical insignia are presented to a new bishop during the Rite of Ordination of a Bishop.
Why is it called a mitre?
The word comes from the Greek μίτρα (mítra), meaning "headband", and passed into Latin as mitra; in American English it is spelled "miter". The mitre is depicted for the first time at the beginning of the 11th century, and the first written mention is a Bull of Pope Leo IX from 1049.
Why do Catholic bishops wear mitres?
The mitre is a sign of the bishop's office and dignity, worn during pontifical Mass, solemn blessings and other ceremonial functions, and removed at certain moments of the liturgy. In Western Christianity it developed from the camelaucum, a headdress used at the Byzantine imperial court.
What are the three types of mitres?
The Roman Catholic Church uses three types: the mitra pretiosa (the precious mitre — gold embroidery and precious stones, for the most solemn feasts), the mitra auriphrygiata (the gold mitre — plain gold cloth or white silk with embroidered bands, for Sundays and the celebration of sacraments) and the mitra simplex (the simple mitre — the linen mitre: a plain white mitre of undecorated linen or silk, worn at funerals, in Lent, on Good Friday and by concelebrating bishops).
What materials are embroidered mitres made from?
Silk, brocade, wool and linen, embroidered with gold and silver metallic thread. The base is traditionally white (gold and silver fabrics count as white in liturgical usage), while the embroidered bands and lappets may be in the liturgical colour of the day.
How much do embroidered mitres cost?
Mitres in our collection are priced from $134 to $183 depending on the type and embroidery, and each mitre includes a protective cover. US orders over $100 ship free.
How do I choose the right mitre size?
Mitre sizes are given as head circumference, from 54 cm to 64 cm (21.3–25.2 in). Measure around the widest part of the head, about 1 cm above the ears; if you are between two sizes, choose the larger one. Custom sizes are available on request.
Can a mitre be personalized?
Yes. We embroider mitres to order, including personalization with the bishop's coat of arms, a diocese crest, custom symbols and colour matching for a diocese or religious order. Contact us with your requirements and we will prepare an individual offer.
How should an embroidered mitre be cared for?
Store the mitre flat or in its protective cover, away from direct sunlight and moisture, and never machine-wash embroidered panels or metallic threads. For detailed instructions, see our guides on how to care for embroidered vestments and how to store liturgical vestments.
