Caudatario
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In the Catholic Church, a caudatario from cauda (Latin for 'tail') – plural caudatari (Italian for 'train-bearer'), was a priest in charge of carrying the train (strascico in Romanesco) [1] of the cassock or the cappa magna of a prelate (cardinals, archbishops and bishops) during solemn ceremonies.[2]
Santa Maria della Purità
The use of robes with trains, capes and hoods for cardinals was introduced by Pope Nicholas III (r. 1277–1280– ).[3] Since this would hinder their movement, the need arose to have an assistant, first a layman, later a religious, to hold the train of the cardinal's cassock.[4] During the Avignon Papacy, the use of a caudatario spread among the minor prelates, such as the archbishops and bishops.[4]
In 1546, Pope Paul III transformed the association of the caudatari into a collegio.[5]
In 1538, Pope Paul III gave the custody of the small church of Santa Maria della Purità in the Roman rione of Borgo to the association of caudatari.[2] They maintained the church until 1897, when it was abandoned.[5]
Function
At the beginning chaplain and Caudatario of a cardinal were two distinct figures, but then they merged into one.[4] During the cardinal and papal solemn masses the caudatario was sitting next to the cardinal, holding his cap and reminding him what he had to do.[6] The cardinal's vestments and furnishings were to be prepared by the caudatario to celebrate Mass in his domestic chapel, and to celebrate Mass itself.[6]