Copes & Humeral Veils

The difference between a cope and a chasuble is that a cope is an open ceremonial mantle fastened across the chest and worn for functions outside of Mass, whereas a priest's chasuble is the closed outer vestment worn to celebrate Mass itself. A cope is worn for processions, blessings, solemn Liturgy of the Hours, and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Yes, every R.J. Toomey cope on this page includes a matching inner stole, whether you buy the cope on its own or as part of a cope and humeral veil set. The stole is cut from the same design line as the cope, so the fabric, banding, and trim match, eliminating the need to source a clergy stole separately. The humeral veil does not include a stole, since it is worn over the shoulders to hold the monstrance rather than vested like the cope.

A cope and humeral veil are worn for Eucharistic functions outside of Mass, chiefly Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Exposition, and Eucharistic processions. At Benediction, the cope is worn to give the blessing at the end of adoration, and the humeral veil to carry the monstrance or ciborium. Because these are solemn processions and blessings rather than seasonal liturgies, the vestments are white, ivory, or gold, not seasonal colors.

You need both when Benediction is given with the monstrance, and the humeral veil alone when the blessing is given with the ciborium. For monstrance exposition, the minister wears the cope to give the blessing and the humeral veil to hold the monstrance, so the set covers both. When exposition is simpler and uses a ciborium, the humeral veil is worn without the cope. Buying the cope and humeral veil set saves you money and covers the full monstrance rite.

Every R.J. Toomey cope and humeral veil is a durable, drape-focused vestment made from lined polyester jacquard. Each is finished with woven or embroidered banding, matching trim, and a gold-metal chain closure, with the design varying by collection. The jacquard resists wrinkling and holds a clean drape, which suits a garment worn standing and processing.

These copes come in one size, cut to a 56" length, and that single size is designed to fit a range of heights because a cope hangs as an open mantle from the shoulders rather than fitting to the body. The 56" length is measured down the back, so it falls lower on a shorter wearer and higher on a taller one while still draping correctly. The humeral veil is also one size at 108" wide by 22" long, with clasps at the front to hold the veil closed.

Care for the cope and humeral veil set by dry cleaning them only, since the jacquard fabric, metallic banding, and full lining are not machine- or hand-washable. Dry cleaning protects the metallic trim and keeps the lining and drape intact. Store the set flat or boxed between uses so the fabric does not crease.