There is often an assumption at work that believes truly unique, new vestment works are no longer possible. Too much work and too expensive; this would summarize some of the primary reasons behind this idea. It is true that these sorts of vestments, complete with hand execu…
Vestments as an Investment in the Legacy of a Catholic Institution or Parish
There is often an assumption at work that believes truly unique, new vestment works are no longer possible. Too much work and too expensive; this would summarize some of the primary reasons behind this idea. It is true that these sorts of vestments, complete with hand execu…
A Marian Altarpiece in High Renaissance Style
The Catholic Church has always been one of the most important and vigorous patrons of the arts in the world, and as such, it was and continues to be instrumental in inspiring and enabling production of an impressive body of works. Crafted and financed as means of expressio…
G.F. Bodley's Pentecost Chasuble
The gothic revival often doesn't get all the credit it should when it comes to vestment work. It is notably and justly famed for its architecture and metalwork (think of all the wonderful chalices displayed and used in so many churches and cathedrals) but when it comes…
Stunning New Apsidal Paintings at the Toronto Oratory
The Toronto Oratory has been called "a jewel in the crown of Canadian Catholicism" and that jewel just received a shiny new upgrade. Many of you will be familiar with the work of Ken Woo , the New Jersey based artist whose works have graced the Church of Our Savi…
New Vestment Work: French Style Roman Set from Luzar Vestments
We have commented here before that while individually commissioned vestments are extremely important in the realm of the liturgical arts, there is also a place for 'off the rack' type of vestments -- by which I simply mean standard stock offerings that are availabl…
Newly Dedicated Chapel of the Holy Cross, Jesuit High School of Tampa
This past August 7th, Bishop Michael C. Barber, S.J. dedicated the new Chapel of the Holy Cross at the Jesuit High School of Tampa Bay. The chapel seats 950 and is the design of Duncan G. Stroik Architect . The stained glass was executed by Conrad Schmitt Studios , the paint…
Jacques Maritain: "Some Reflections Upon Religious Art"
The following is a short address given by Catholic philosopher, Jacques Maritain, titled "Some Reflections Upon Religious Art" -- later published in Art and Scholasticism. In this essay, given in 1924, Maritain looks critically at certain kinds of devotional Cath…
Terra Sancta Museum Announces Forthcoming Publication of Extensive Catalogue of Vestments from the Custodia Treasury
The Franciscans in the Holy Land are opening the next phase of the Terra Sancta Museum , a museum which showcases Christian history in the Holy Land along with its accumulated liturgical holdings which, LAJ is told, includes over a thousand sets of vestments, countless preci…
The Pontifical Dalmatic and Tunicle: A Brief History and Consideration
Continuing on with our consideration of the pontifical vestments, I wished to turn our attention today to the pontifical dalmatic and tunicle. These pontificals are utilized by prelates in the context of the solemn pontifical Mass. Having vested in the buskins and sandal…
A Brief Consideration of Classical Versus Contemporary Sanctuary Arrangement
Very much has been made of the principle of noble simplicity these past few decades. It has often been utilized as a justification for sanctuary reorderings, vestment tossings (or "museuming") and the like. Fortunately this approach is quickly becoming a relic of…
Two Wood-Carved Statues from Mussner G. Vincenzo Art Studio for a Californian Basilica
Some of our readers may have simply resigned themselves to the idea that sculptural works today are necessarily derived from the unfortunate, saccharine tendencies of "Saint-Suplice." They may have likewise resigned themselves to the idea that sculptural works t…
More Reflections on the Importance of Liturgical Beauty
The liturgical arts are important; this is our belief. This belief is not merely our own here on LAJ however, it is rather one that is formed and affirmed by the Church herself, testified to by her guidance and legislation around the same. This activity on the part of the …
The Salvator Mundi Chasuble - A Creative Reconstruction
Granda, a Spanish liturgical arts workshop and a vestment atelier, recently accepted commission to make a chasuble based on a sixteenth century antique. A red fabric fragment together with the embroidered images of Salvator Mundi and Our Lady with Child served as an inspir…
Details in Design: Affordable, High-Quality Traditional Linens
While not as easily or frequently found as in the past, old world quality and craftsmanship driven by devotion, is not lacking today in North America. There are hidden gems, studios and firms of traditional Catholic art of various forms, remaining practically unknown. Somet…
Ferdinand Stuflesser 1875 Showcase
I wanted to play a bit of 'catch up' and showcase some of the fine woodcarving of Ferdinand Stuflesser 1875 whom we have featured before. Let's dive right into it with a few comments interspersed here and there throughout. (And to highlight the point once agai…
Pontifical Buskins: A Brief History and Consideration
Since we have already covered off pontifical sandals and gloves, I thought it would be fitting to mention a closely related and equally lesser known bit of vesture: buskins -- or caligae in Latin. Buskins are essentially a liturgical form of "stocking" that is wo…
16th Century Requiem Vestments from the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo, Madrid
A set of vestments came to my attention by way of LAJ's clerical dress forum that begged for more attention as an article here on the main site -- being an exquisite work of craftsmanship. Admittedly the word "exquisite" can be all too easily tossed around a…
London's Rosary Shrine Vestments
In 1867 work began in north London on the fourth Blackfriars (as the Dominicans and their priories came to be called in England) in London. The Dominicans had first arrived in 1221 and, after an interruption, returned to the city in 1861. The new church was built on an amb…
Carthusian Nuns and the Use of the Maniple and Stole
Continuing our look at some of the vestural customs and items to be found in the Church, there is a rather unique custom for Carthusian nuns relating to the occasional use of the stole and maniple -- the latter worn on the right arm, instead of the left as is the case with…
Medieval Commentary Continued: The Episcopal Garments
On Thursday, we saw the Gemma Animae's commentary on the priestly vestments. Today we look at the bishop's vestments, following up on several other posts last week on pontifical sandals and gloves .
If the seven priestly vestments signified the perfection of priestl…
