Fascia (vestment)
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The fascia is a sash worn by clerics and seminarians with the cassock in the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Church. It is also worn with the simar by those entitled to the simar's use. It is not to be worn as a belt but should be placed above the waist between the navel and the breastbone (sternum). The ends that hang down should be worn on the left side of the body and placed a little foward but not completely off the left hip. Technically, the fascia is not a vestment, but is part of the choir dress.
The pope's fascia is white. Only the pope may have his Coat of Arms placed on the ends of the fascia that hang down near or past the knees. The fascia worn by cardinals is scarlet red. The fascia worn by Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops and Monsignori is purple. The fascia worn by simple priests, deacons and seminarians is black.
It should not be worn by those that take up the cassock only for liturgical functions (e.g. altar servers, &c.) Unless, of course, the men be seminarians or clerics.
Prior to the changed that followed the Second Vatican Council there were two types of fascia: the tufted fascia, on which each end was finished in a single large tassel, and the fringed fascia, on which each end is straight and finished with fringe. Currently, only the fringed fascia is used.
