Ceremonies, Masters of The

Ceremonies, Masters of the is a term applied to certain officers of the papal establishment, usually six in number, two of them being called assistants, and the other four supernumeraries. Their duties are to regulate all pontifical functions, acquaint the cardinals with their duties, and issue orders to all persons belonging to the court. Whenever the pope sends any cardinal a latere out of Rome, he deputes one of the supernumerary masters of the ceremonies to wait upon him. These officers usually wear purple cassocks, with black buttons and facings, and sleeves trailing on the ground; but in the papal chapel they wear a red cassock like the cardinals, and rochets like the prelates.