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Until the abolition of minor orders in the Roman Catholic church after the Second Vatican Council, the tunicle was the distinguishing vestment of the subdeacon. It was an outer tunic which was worn over the alb and amice during Mass and other liturgies. A bishop would also wear one under his dalmatic and chasuble during a Pontifical High Mass. Like the dalmatic and chasubule, the color of the tunicle corresponded with the liturgical color for the day. It was, by the time the office of subdeacon was suppressed, virtually indistinguishable from the dalmatic with the exception of narrower sleeves.
Current Usage
The tunicle may still be seen when Solemn High Mass is celebrated according to the Tridentine Rite, and in various Anglican Churches. It is also used by the Crucifer or by acolytes on certain occasions.
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