During a recent project a student and I undertook in the University Archives photographic collection, we unearthed some images that have rarely seen the light of day. As one might expect at a Jesuit school, many of the photographs are of Jesuits. Many of those Jesuits are wearing a Jesuit-style cassock. These frocks are distinct from the traditional Roman Catholic cassock: whereas the Roman style has a long row of buttons down the front, a Jesuit cassock is more of a wrap with hooks that fasten at the collar, and a belt tied at the waist known as a cincture. While most Jesuits today opt for the black shirt and white collar or even regular street clothes, it wasn’t too long ago that the cassock was the standard.
Below are a few of my favorite images in the Archives that depict Jesuits in their cassocks, styled with various other accoutrements. The date of the photograph and any Georgetown connection, if known, is noted in the captions.
Ann Galloway, Assistant University Archivist
June 17, 2016
Felix Barbelin, S.J., ca. 1865.
Camillus Mazzella, S.J., ca. 1870. Former theology professor at Georgetown. Elevated to Cardinal in 1886.
James Curley, S.J., ca. 1870. Founder of the Georgetown Observatory and professor of physics, mathematics, and botany.
Very Reverend Anton Maria Anderledy, S.J., ca. 1883. Superior General of the Society of Jesus from 1887-1892.
J. Havens Richards, S.J., ca. 1890. President of Georgetown from 1888-1898.
Michael O’Brien, S.J., ca 1890. Former philosophy professor at Georgetown.
W. Coleman Nevils, S.J., ca. 1930. President of Georgetown from 1928-1935.
Frederick Peter Garesché, S.J.
Peter Jan Beckx, 22nd Superior General of the Society of Jesus
Augustine Langcake, S.J.
Daniel Cronin, S.J.
James Pye Neale, S.J. Graduated from Georgetown in 1859 and former Georgetown professor.