Leaves, buds, flowers, and stems are felt as a whole pattern, a natural motif for vestment design. This reflection of nature is ready made to the hand of the artist. In the history of vestment making, we can see the use of plant form has been found throughout the centuries as a key element of design practice in the liturgical arts. Plant form as a design is universally appealing to the human eye. It is an appeal from nature that reflects the hand of God.
The adaption of a nature-derived motif to the design patterns of vestments comes as no surprise. Nature is an ally to beauty and helps reveal divinity by illustrating the creative hand of the Creator. In sacred liturgy every element of beauty is bound together in a compact whole. Design patters such as this display the curvature of lines, a reflection of plant reality that beckons a pleasant response from the human beholder, contrary to square and straight or "box" lines that are not natural or apparent in nature.
The making of beautiful vestments is not a secret that nature has vouchsafed to genius alone. Although we generally prefer these vintage vestments to still be used, it brings joy to the heart to think that millions of pilgrims each year are able to see this fine example of what beautiful vestments can look like. An oft overlooked form of high art that is making a comeback, beautiful vestment such as this are bound to be made once again.
Included below are several pics in case some ambitious artist out there chooses to be so audacious as to re-create this set for their parish. Unfortunately, the chasuble was not on display.
