I took this photo in the sacristy of Westminster Cathedral in London. It is impressive to see this venerable custom maintained, of covering the Gospel & Epistle book for Solemn Mass. This tradition has been cultivated in both the Latin and Greek Churches, as an extra means to venerate the Holy Writ, the Verbum Domini. In the EF the cover was required, but not always made use of in every place. In the Vatican the tradition has been maintained even today (as in many cathedral churches), with the cover being metallic and much more elaborate in gilded decoration. Included below are two other images to help illustrate how the book fits in the cover. The colors are generally of the vestments of the day, but not always. This antique cover is pure silk.
