What Are Red Chasubles?
A red chasuble is the outermost vestment worn by a Catholic priest at Mass on the days when red is the liturgical colour. It is worn over the alb and the stole, and it replaces the green, white or violet vestment of the season for that celebration. In this collection there are 18 red chasubles, priced from $121 to $1,169.26, all made in Poland and all supplied with a matching stole.
Red is one of the six colours of the Roman rite. It is the colour of blood and of fire, and the Church uses it for the Passion of Christ, for Pentecost, for the feasts of apostles and evangelists, and for the memorials of martyrs. A red chasuble therefore belongs in every sacristy that serves a parish church, a chapel or a religious community.
When Is a Red Chasuble Worn?
Red is worn on the days that commemorate the shedding of Christ's blood and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The main occasions are:
- Pentecost — the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles, the birthday of the Church.
- Palm Sunday — the procession with palms and the reading of the Passion.
- Good Friday — the celebration of the Lord's Passion, when the colour of the day is red.
- Feasts of the apostles and evangelists — for example Saints Peter and Paul, Saint John or Saint Mark.
- Feasts of martyrs — the memorials of the saints who gave their lives for the faith.
- Feasts of the Holy Spirit and, by custom in many places, Confirmation.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (no. 346) lists red among the liturgical colours and assigns it to the Passion, Pentecost, the apostles and the martyrs. See the full calendar in our complete guide to liturgical colours.
Red Chasuble Styles in This Collection
The 18 red chasubles cover the main cuts. 5 are described as Gothic, with a broad yoke and a full drape that covers the arms almost to the wrists; 2 are semi-Gothic, with a full front panel and a lighter, more tailored fall; the remaining 11 are classic full-cut designs whose listings do not name a cut. There is no Roman fiddleback in red in this selection — if you need the fitted Latin Mass cut, see our Roman chasubles.
For the difference between the cuts, read Roman chasuble vs Gothic chasuble and compare the Gothic chasubles and semi-Gothic chasubles collections.
Fabrics and Embroidery
The red chasubles are finished for parish use. 11 of the 18 carry a cross or crucifix motif, and one names the IHS monogram; the embroidery is worked in gold or coloured thread on a decorated belt. The listings name brocade on 1 model, jacquard on 2, velvet trim on 1, and 3 state a polyester composition; the rest are described as breathable, crease-resistant fabrics suitable for standard washing and ironing.
Red is a strong colour that shows embroidery well: gold thread reads as light against the deep ground, while silver thread gives a cooler, more sombre effect suitable for Good Friday. See the anatomy of the garment in our guide to the parts of a chasuble.
Sizes and Fit
7 of the 18 listings give the measured pattern 127 cm (50 in) long and 158 cm (62.2 in) wide; the others do not state dimensions, so check the individual product page before ordering. The classic full-cut red chasuble is designed to drape over the shoulders and leave the arms free enough for the gestures of the Mass.
If the celebrant is unusually tall or short, contact us before ordering — because we work directly with the vestment workshop, sizes can often be adjusted. Our guide how to measure for a chasuble explains which measurements matter.
What Is Included
Every one of the 18 red chasubles is supplied with a matching stole; 8 listings describe it specifically as an inner stole. The set is ready for Mass without buying the stole separately.
These are chasuble-and-stole sets, not full Roman sets: they do not include the maniple, burse or chalice veil. For those pieces see our Roman chasubles and our embroidered stoles.
Red Chasuble Prices
Prices in this collection run from $121 for a simple cross-motif model to $1,169.26 for a heavily embroidered Saint Lawrence chasuble. The distribution across the 18 models:
| Price range | Models |
|---|---|
| $121–$199 | 7 |
| $200–$299 | 5 |
| $300–$399 | 3 |
| $400 and up | 3 |
Price is driven by the fabric, the density of the embroidery and the number of pieces in the set. For a wider view see how much does a chasuble cost.
Care and Storage
Store the chasuble on a wide padded hanger or rolled flat, away from direct sunlight and damp. Spot clean with a soft cloth, avoid bleach, and never iron directly over embroidery or gold thread — press on the reverse, through a cloth. For deeper cleaning use a specialist dry cleaner. More in our guide how to care for embroidered vestments.
Made in Poland and Shipping
Our red chasubles are made in Poland, in our workshop in Lublewo Gdańskie. In-stock pieces are dispatched within 72 hours and reach the United States by FedEx in about 2–5 business days; made-to-order items add 3–14 business days. Orders over $100 ship free within the United States. See Made in Poland, the shipping information and the returns policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a red chasuble symbolize?
Red symbolizes the blood of Christ, the fire of the Holy Spirit and the witness of the martyrs. It is the colour of the Passion, of Pentecost and of the saints who gave their lives for the faith.
When does a priest wear a red chasuble?
On Pentecost, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, the feasts of the apostles and evangelists, and the memorials of martyrs. In many places red is also worn at Confirmation because of its link with the Holy Spirit.
Is red worn on Good Friday?
Yes. In the current Roman rite the celebration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday uses red, and red is also the colour of Palm Sunday and of the Passion readings during Holy Week.
Is red worn at funerals?
Not normally. In the ordinary Roman rite funerals use violet, black or white; red is reserved for the Passion, Pentecost, the apostles and the martyrs. The historic exceptions are the funeral rites of a pope or a cardinal, where red has traditionally been used.
Is red worn at Confirmation?
In many places bishops and priests wear red at Confirmation because of the sacrament's link with the Holy Spirit, although the liturgical colour of the day may also be used. Red is therefore a practical addition to a parish sacristy.
What is the difference between red and rose vestments?
Red is a full, deep liturgical colour used for the Passion, Pentecost and martyrs. Rose (often called pink) is a lightened violet used only on Gaudete Sunday in Advent and Laetare Sunday in Lent. See our pink chasubles.
What fabrics are red chasubles made of?
In this collection the listings name brocade (1 model), jacquard (2), velvet trim (1) and polyester (3); the rest are breathable, crease-resistant fabrics suitable for standard washing and ironing. Check the individual product page for the exact composition.
How much does a red chasuble cost?
From $121 for a simple cross-motif model to $1,169.26 for a heavily embroidered Saint Lawrence chasuble. 7 models cost under $200, 5 cost $200–$299, 3 cost $300–$399 and 3 cost $400 or more.
Are red chasubles supplied with a stole?
Yes. All 18 red chasubles in this collection include a matching stole, and 8 listings describe it as an inner stole.
How do you clean a red chasuble?
Spot clean with a soft cloth, avoid bleach and harsh detergents, and never iron directly over the embroidery. For deeper cleaning use a specialist dry cleaner, and store the vestment on a padded hanger away from sunlight.
Related Reading
- Complete Guide to Liturgical Colors: What to Wear and When
- How to Choose a Chasuble: Complete Guide for Priests and Sacristans
- The History of the Chasuble: From Ancient Rome to Modern Altars
- Parts of a Chasuble: Orphreys, Cross, Stole, Maniple and Burse Explained
- How Much Does a Chasuble Cost? Price Ranges Explained
- More from this family: all chasubles · Gothic · Roman · semi-Gothic
- Shop by colour: white · red · green · purple · black · pink · gold · ecru
