New collection of ecological liturgical vestments in Cupro Bemberg™
Homage to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’ presented in Rome
Following the recent death of Pope Francis, it has become even more important to take up his legacy and transform his words, warnings and advice into concrete actions to honour his memory and celebrate his enlightened vision of the world and life. On 24 May 2015, the encyclical Laudato si’, inspired by the hymn Laudato si’, mi Signore (Praise be to you, my Lord) by St Francis of Assisi, reminded us that our shared home is like a sister with whom we share our life and like a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. In it, Pope Francis drew a realistic panorama of the situation of our planet, emphasising how our Earth “cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will. […] We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth (cf. Gen 2:7). Our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters” (Laudato si’, no. 2).
In his appeal, the pope emphasised the urgent challenge of protecting the Earth, calling on all humanity to seek sustainable and integral development, urging inclusive dialogue, and recognising the magnitude, urgency and beauty of the challenge ahead. The encyclical addresses specific issues, including pollution and climate change, the water issue, the loss of biodiversity, the deterioration of the quality of human life and social degradation, planetary inequality and more. The path that characterises this operational programme, a response to the cry of the Earth, requires an ‘ecological conversion’, a ‘change of direction’ through which we take responsibility for caring for our shared home. In this context, on 23 and 24 May, ten years after the publication of the encyclical, an Open Day was held in Rome at the Liturgical Apostolate Centre, run by the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master. The event inaugurated the first collection of chasubles (vestments worn to celebrate Holy Mass) made of Cupro Bemberg™ by Asahi Kasei.
The ‘People on a journey – for the Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope’ collection features liturgical vestments including chasubles, dalmatics and copes. During the event, Ettore Pellegrini, Marketing & Sales Manager of Asahi Kasei Fibers Italia, and Junshu Furusawa, CEO and Member of the Board of Directors of Asahi Kasei Fibers Italia, were present to welcome all guests. The decision to choose Bemberg™, the brand name of Asahi Kasei’s Cupro fibre, a regenerated cellulose fibre made from a closed-loop process with cotton linters, was made at the end of a process that began with participation at Milano Unica and continued with several presentations of this material in Rome. Cupro Bemberg™ has distinguished itself by its uniqueness and its impact on the circular economy. With its transparent and traceable supply chain, it offers certified sustainability credentials and premium quality. The fibre respects shape and drape, with a truly unique and precious hand: cool in summer, with excellent moisture control, it offers superior comfort and a soft, impalpable feel on the skin.
The collection bears witness to the Church’s commitment to sustainable conversion, made possible through the work of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, a congregation of sisters who, with experience, expertise and creativity, design and produce liturgical vestments and a variety of handcrafted objects, including iconography, sculptures and ceramics. The fabric used for the vestments in this collection was designed by the Sister Disciples themselves and produced by Brunello.