Bishop Sheen wore various mitres during his long episcopal career. He gave most of them away before his death. I have been told some of his personal effects ended up with Mons. Edward T. O'Meara, who took over from Sheen in 1966 as the National Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. The two had worked together for years and remained close.
O'Meara went on to the be Archbishop of Indianapolis and he preached the sermon at Sheen's funeral in 1979 just after his appointment. Sheen was buried from St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC in a Gothic style mitre that was tailored to match his gold-colored Gothic vestments, chosen by him for his burial.
The Baroque style precious mitre (in Latin, mitra pretiosa) adds a certain measure of elegance to the sacred liturgy. Although it is a rare sight today, I wish it was not. Sheen had good taste. Here we see two examples of different mitres he wore, probably tailored in Rome. They are embroidered on white silk with metal-thread and glass jewel highlights with pearls, enamels and other stones. Probably mid-twentieth century, made to order so as to fit his size head (in life he was relatively short).
The exuberantly worked floral and scroll work designs make them true works of art, edged with gilt braid. The volute pattern symbolizes the growth of a flower, a natural symbol of nature. In all of God's creation, flower and leaf patterns will always stand out as harmonious to human perception.
I am assuming on the other side can be seen his coat-of-arms embroidered on the fringed lappets, each perhaps on a cartouche.
The variety of glittering gemstones appear to include blue glass cabochon. I doubt any of these are truly precious jewels, although you never know. If any readers have any information on the whereabouts of these mitres, please contact us and let us know.
-------
Why not also consider subscribing monthly/yearly to Liturgical Arts Journal? Choose the amount for yourself. Your support of LAJ and its writers makes all the difference.
