Bible Encyclopedias
Gremiale

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

an episcopal ornament for the breast, lap, and shoulders; originally a plain towel of fine linen, used in ordination to protect the sacred vestments from any drops of unction that might fall in the act of anointing candidates for the priesthood, In later times it was made of silk or damask, to match the episcopal vestments, and was used in certain French dioceses both at solemn and high mass.