Pope Pius XII: The “House Cassock”

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http://www.papalartifacts.com/contact-us/

Pope Pius XII: Cream-Colored House Coat Worn by Him

 Madre Pascalina Lehnert
Housekeeper, Confidante & Secretary to Pope Pius XII

The label on the coat is the name of the tailor who made it: Argeo Agostini, Rome.

Enclosed is a box from Madre Pascalina, which contains a handwritten confirmation that this coat was worn by Pius XII.

The note that accompanies the “house cassock” states, “I herewith confirm that the Housetalar was worn for a long time by our Holy Father, Pius XII, of blessed memory.  Sr. M. Pascalina”

Sr. Pascalina was the famed personal assistant to Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli and later as Pope Pius XII.  The term “Housetalar” roughly translates to house cassock or what we may refer to as a house coat.  The large papal apartments built in the 16^th and 17^th centuries have long been known to be drafty and very cold during the winter months.  Some popes such as Pius XI (1922-1939) were known to have cast iron braziers forged (as can be seen in the collection) to act as space heaters in the apartments so as to take the edge off the cold.

Due to the shortage of coal, Sr. Pascalina writes in her memoirs that Pope Pius XII stopped heating the apartments all together during the years of the Second World War.  Certainly during those years and after this housecoat would have been used by the Holy Father regularly, who was known for his weak constitution and poor health.

As an aside, Sr. Pascalina’s signature is almost nonexistent on the “autograph market” so for a note to be written and signed by her adds to this already rare addition to the collection. –Fr. Richard Kunst

This is the brazier to which Fr. Kunst refers in the above information

A brazier is a large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned to keep people warm.  Given the large size of rooms in the Apostolic palace and chapel and the heating systems available in the ’20s & ’30s, portable heating units such as this were utilized for the comfort of the pope and others residing there.

This particular brazier is very heavy duty and was clearly used given the burn marks all on the inside of it.

Father Kunst said this is the only time he has seen one of these made available for purchase.

The Pius XI coat of arms is clearly visible.  

A very interesting addition to the Papal Artifacts’ Collection!

7 Books of His Philosophy Homework from the Estate of Madre Pascalina, Housekeeper & Confidante to the Pope

7 Books of His Philosophy Homework from the Estate of Madre Pascalina, Housekeeper & Confidante to the Pope

From the Estate of Madre Pascalina Lehnert (1894-1983).

These are autographs of Eugenio Pacelli, a student in the “Classe 1-3 Liceale.”

Presumably, they are class notes, but they also contain corrections, comments, underlining, and additions.

 Ennio Quirino Visconti Liceo Ginnasio
Eugenio Pacelli’s High School 

Eugenio Pacelli attended the Ennio Quirino Visconti Liceo Ginnasio.  It is the oldest and most prestigious high school for classical education in Rome and is also known as the Roman College due to its previous historical role, housing the Jesuit Roman College before the 1870 take over of the Papal States by the Kingdom of Italy.

It was dedicated to the famous Roman archaeologist Ennio Quirino Visconti who had supported the Francophile Roman Republic at the end of the 18^th century. 

A scholarly evaluation of these notebooks has not yet been conducted, but they certainly provide insights into the thoughts and mental attitude of the young Eugenio Pacelli.

Note that each booklet is inscribed with his name, Eugenio Pacelli, in the upper right corner of the front cover.