Initially, tabards were short, fairly simple garments for men. They usually consisted of a simple neck opening and had no sleeves or only short sleeves. Among the nobility, however, this garment quickly took on a richer and more beautiful form, often decorated with an emblem or the lord's coat of arms. Worn over battle armour, the tabard offered protection against the cold or the heat of the sun.
Gradually, the tabard became increasingly luxurious and developed into a true status symbol of the wealthy class. How this garment eventually ended up in the church is not entirely clear. It is possible that people fell back on this secular garment in line with the neo-styles that were popular from the 19th to the early 20th century. We also see that almost all chapels in other churches wear such tabards.
The tabard reminds us of our mission. In Song of Songs VIII, this is beautifully expressed in a different context: “pone me ut signaculum super cor tuum, ut signaculum super brachium tuum” — “set me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thy arm”.
Today, the chapel is dedicated to the veneration of the Blessed Sacrament. It also plays an important role in the liturgy on Sundays and feast days.
