What Is a Deacon Stole?
A deacon stole is a liturgical vestment — a long, narrow band of coloured cloth worn by a deacon during Mass and other liturgical celebrations. As a stole, it falls under the wider class of liturgical vestments and insignia; unlike the priest's stole, which is worn crossed over the chest, the deacon's stole is worn diagonally across the body, from the left shoulder down to the right hip.
Stoles are traditionally made as a band of coloured cloth, most often silk, and decorated with crosses or another significant religious design. In this collection each stole is embroidered or woven with sacred symbols and finished for regular liturgical use.
How a Deacon Wears the Stole
The deacon puts the stole on over the alb and wears it diagonally across the body, over the left shoulder and down toward the right hip. During Mass it is worn under the dalmatic, which is the proper outer vestment of a deacon. Baptisms, marriages, funerals, and Eucharistic services celebrated by a deacon are all occasions on which the diagonal stole is worn.
Colours
Vestments are made in the liturgical colours — the specific colours used for vestments and hangings within Christian liturgy. This collection covers a broad range of colourways: red, green, purple, white, gold, black, pink, ecru. Alongside single-colour stoles, the collection offers two-tone and reversible designs for a vestment that has to serve in more than one colour.
Design and Materials
The stoles in this collection are made in a range of fabrics — smooth wrinkle-resistant cloths, jacquard, and brocade. Many are decorated with gold woven Jerusalem crosses or embroidered motifs such as the IHS monogram, a cross, or the Heart of Jesus. Several designs are made in Poland and are supplied in a tasteful box.
Sizes
The standard deacon stole measures 130 × 12 cm (51.2 × 4.7 in), the width and arm length most often specified in this collection. Individual stoles are listed with their own measurements, so check the product page before ordering. A stole with a clasp fastens the two ends at the front, while the plain designs are worn loose.
How Much Does a Deacon Stole Cost?
Deacon stoles in this collection are priced from $70 to $135, across 23 models. The lower-priced designs are plain cloth stoles such as the deacon stole with a clasp; the higher end covers embroidered and IHS/Cross stoles, brocade, and reversible two-tone designs. Many of the designs are single-colour stoles, so a deacon who needs more than one colour can compare the colourways directly on this page.
Choosing a Deacon Stole
When choosing, decide first which liturgical colours you need, then pick the embroidery motif and fabric to match. A stole embroidered with the IHS monogram or a cross suits everyday use; a gold brocade or jacquard stole is a natural choice for solemn feasts. For a plain, hard-wearing option, the deacon stole with a clasp is a good starting point, and a purple stole is one of the 8 colourways available. For which colour to wear in each season, see our guide to stole colours by liturgical season.
Care
Stoles should be dry-cleaned or hand-washed with a mild detergent and stored flat or rolled to prevent creasing of the embroidery and woven bands. Wrinkle-resistant jacquard and brocade stoles are easy to keep clean and can be pressed on a low setting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deacon Stoles
What Is a Deacon Stole Called?
A deacon stole is also simply called a diaconal stole or, in British usage, a deacon's stole. It is a stole — the liturgical vestment worn by all ordained ministers — cut and worn in the way proper to the diaconate.
How Is a Deacon Stole Different From a Priest's Stole?
Both are stoles, but they are worn differently. A priest wears the stole crossed over the chest; a deacon wears the same band diagonally across the body, over the left shoulder and down to the right hip, and treats it as the vestment of a specific order.
What Colours Do Deacon Stoles Come In?
Deacon stoles are made in the liturgical colours. This collection offers 8 colourways — red, green, purple, white, gold, black, pink, ecru — as single-colour, two-tone, and reversible stoles.
What Fabric Are Deacon Stoles Made Of?
The stoles in this collection are made of smooth wrinkle-resistant cloth, jacquard, and brocade. Many are finished with gold woven Jerusalem crosses or embroidered motifs.
What Size Is a Deacon Stole?
The standard size here is 130 × 12 cm (51.2 × 4.7 in). Individual products list their own measurements, so confirm the size on the product page if you need a specific length.
Can a Deacon Stole Be a Gift?
Yes. Several deacon stoles in this collection are made in Poland and packed in a tasteful box. See our guide to Catholic clergy gifts for more ideas.
How Should a Deacon Stole Be Cleaned?
Dry-clean or hand-wash with a mild detergent, and store the stole flat or rolled to keep the embroidery and the woven bands from creasing.
Where Can I Buy a Deacon Stole?
You can buy a deacon stole directly from this page. Browse the collection below and open a product for pricing, fabric, measurements, and availability.
