The fascia is a sash worn by clerics and seminarians with the
cassock in the
Latin Church of the
Catholic 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 (clavicles). The ends that hang down should be worn on the left side of the body and placed a little foward but not completely off of the left hip.
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.