Sustainable Vestments Made with Bemberg™ Debut in Rome

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, a new collection of sustainable liturgical vestments crafted with Bemberg™ will be unveiled at the Centro Apostolato Liturgico in Rome on May 23–24, 2026, beginning at 2:00 PM.

This Open Day on Sustainability in Liturgy becomes especially poignant following the recent passing of Pope Francis, whose legacy of ecological advocacy continues to inspire action. The event celebrates his vision by transforming his call to protect our “common home” into meaningful initiatives rooted in sustainability and faith.

Laudato Si’: A Call for Ecological Conversion
Originally published on May 24, 2015, Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si’ invites humanity to reflect on its relationship with nature and take urgent steps toward sustainable and inclusive development. The text addresses key environmental issues such as climate change, water scarcity, loss of biodiversity, and environmental inequality—urging a global dialogue and an "ecological conversion" of mindset and action.

Vestments That Embody Ecological Values
In response to this call, the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master—a congregation committed to liturgical service—have created the POPOLO IN CAMMINO – PELLEGRINI DI SPERANZA collection. Designed for the Jubilee 2025, this series includes chasubles, dalmatics, and copes made with Bemberg™, a premium cupro fiber by Asahi Kasei.

Why Bemberg™?
Bemberg™ is a regenerated cellulose fiber derived from cotton linters and produced through a closed-loop process. Known for its traceable supply chain and minimal environmental impact, Bemberg™ offers exceptional quality—cool, breathable, soft, and with a refined drape perfect for ceremonial attire. The fiber first caught the attention of the Sister Disciples during Milano Unica, later leading to collaborative development for this unique collection with textiles produced by Brunello.

A Collaboration of Craft and Purpose
The Sister Disciples, renowned for their liturgical craftsmanship, worked meticulously to design and tailor the garments in accordance with principles of noble simplicity, dignity, and beauty in sobriety, as emphasized in Sacrosanctum Concilium.

Event Highlights and Rollout
The Open Day will feature key representatives from Asahi Kasei Fibers Italia, including Ettore Pellegrini, Marketing & Sales Manager, and Junshu Furusawa, Sales Manager and Board Member, who will welcome visitors to explore the collection.

Following the Rome launch, Apostolato Liturgico stores in cities such as Milan, Bari, Palermo, Florence, Cagliari, and others will display the new sustainable vestments in their windows for three months, reinforcing the Church’s ongoing commitment to liturgical and ecological renewal.