Many but perhaps not all LAJ readers will be familiar with the fact that for the greatest of solemnities, the tradition of St. Peter's Basilica was to drape it in festal red hangings and to illuminate it with candlelight. This is a sight that only a small few might now…
The Sanpietrini and the Illumination of St. Peter's Basilica
Many but perhaps not all LAJ readers will be familiar with the fact that for the greatest of solemnities, the tradition of St. Peter's Basilica was to drape it in festal red hangings and to illuminate it with candlelight. This is a sight that only a small few might now…
Before and After: St. Martin's in Tower, Minnesota
K ing Richard's Liturgical Design and Consulting recently unveiled a "before and after" project they worked on, this one hailing from St. Martin's in Tower, Minnesota. Here is a little of what they had to say about the project:
Iceland's Unique Cathedral of Christ the King
My travels and adventures organizing Catholic tours bring me to some truly amazing locations. One of my favorite destinations is Iceland. Thawing out of the windy volcanic landscape like a mythic glacial iceberg stands Iceland’s beautiful Roman Catholic Cathedral of Chri…
Italian Reliquary Busts and Statues of Ss. Peter and Paul
Since the feast of Ss. Peter and Paul traditionally was celebrated as an octave, it seems fitting to prolong our consideration of this important feast with another consideration of some liturgical art these two apostles were frequently found within. I am speaking here of t…
Thoughts and Vestments for the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul
One of the very most "Roman" of feast days is the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul -- June 29th. These two figures loom large not only in terms of the apostles, they also do so in relation to the Church in and of Rome; in fact, this day is still an annual public holida…
Neo-Gothic Revival in Florida
Not so very long ago we featured some gothic revival work coming out of Virginia, Syon abbey , and a similar project recently came to light, this time from a convent located in Florida. The monastery in question is that of the Sisters of St. Thomas Aquinas who are located i…
Obsequies of the Very Reverend Fr. Jonathan Robinson, Cong. Orat.
[The following is a guest submission coming from an Oratorian at the Toronto Oratory (who wishes to remain anonymous) detailing the recent funerary rites for the death of their founder and noted author, Fr. Jonathan Robinson.]
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On the afternoon of Tuesday June 9th, the…
A Pentecost Inspired Cope from Watts and Co. of London
Watts & Co. of London have recently unveiled a new cope for Pentecost that includes a red brocade fabric that is based upon G.F. Bodley's own Pentecost-inspired embroidery . The hood features a blue, silk damask that has Marian symbolism, along with the dove, a symb…
Thomas Aquinas College Chapel: A Triumph in Church Architecture
After years in the faith-based travel industry I can say without equivocation the chapel at Thomas Aquinas College (TAC) in Santa Paula, California is a must-see for Catholics. On a sunny day walking toward the chapel under the shade of the Spanish mission arcade amid the…
American Heartland Neo-Gothic Cemetery Chapel in New Vienna, Iowa
Splendid seeing this cemetery chapel in the heartland of America. This is St. Boniface Cemetery in New Vienna, Iowa. Our good friend, Fr. Nick Radloff, was recently ordained and celebrated Holy Mass here amid the final resting place of some of his German ancestors. Such…
Andrew Stewart Jamieson: Artist and Illuminator
One of the most interesting and exciting artists and illuminators working today in a contemporary medieval style is Andrew Stewart Jamieson of Andrew Stewart Jamieson Art & Design . Andrew studied his craft at the Salisbury and Reigate art colleges in Britain and has wo…
Reprint of the St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book Now Available
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the much-loved St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book (Imprimatur 1920). This icon of preconciliar parish choir and organ music has thankfully been republished by Refuge of Sinners Publishing, Inc .
In its day the St. Gregory Hy…
A New Shrine in Canada: Our Lady of the Rockies
Readers will be pleased to hear there is an exciting new pilgrimage destination in North America: the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rockies in Canmore, Canada. The shrine is expected to be particularly busy as it is located in Alberta's Rocky Mountains near the southeast …
Details of A.W.N. Pugin's Chapel for the Earls of Shrewsbury
The following shows the design for the high altar and other parts of St. Peter's Chapel, Alton Towers, Staffordshire, by A.W.N. Pugin. This was the family chapel of the Earls of Shrewsbury, the interior being designed by Pugin in the mid 19th century. Unfortunately th…
Four Continental Variations on "Roman" Vestments
Quite frequently when discussing vestments there are basic terms that are used to identify certain styles of vestments. One such example is speaking of a "Roman" style of vestment. But speaking of a "Roman" vestment is no more clear than talking about a…
Enameled Monstrance in the Mudejar Style by Granda
Last year the Granda workshop completed the construction of this spectacular 36” tall monstrance for Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Ladera Ranch, California. Fr. Reynold Furrell, the founding pastor, had previously engaged Granda for the creation of the newly constructed …
A Contemporary Approach to Early Gothic Revival Vestment Design
One of the great struggles in the area of the gothic revival vestment design has been that, since its resurrection under such 19th century masters as G.F. Bodley and Sir Ninian Comper, not long after their own triumphs the old craftsmanship would give way to an era of indu…
Book Notice: Reclaiming Our Roman Catholic Birthright by Dr. Peter Kwasniewski
The great liturgical scholar Dr. Peter Kwasniewski has written yet another fine book on the theme of the Classical Roman Rite. His new work deserves mention, praise and far reach. Dr. Kwasniewski has become a renowned voice on the subject, while stating his case clearly …
Official Rome Church of the Knights and Dames of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre: Sant'Onofrio on the Janiculum
Sant’Onofrio on the Janiculum Hill is the official Roman church and permanent spiritual center in Rome of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (EOHSJ), a papal order of knighthood that dates back to the year 1099.
The church is a rare example of a Renais…
The Visual and Symbolic Impact of the Spacing and Proportions of the Candlesticks and Cross as Seen in Two Papal Basilicas
One might be tempted to think that the horizontal spacing and vertical proportions of the altar candlesticks and cross are not particularly important to an altar and church so long as the traditional six (or "big six" as they are often colloquially referred) are …
