Papal Humiliations II: The Papal Sedia Stercoraria
In a previous article we discussed flax burning during the papal coronation rite . Today we consider a related ceremony, the Possession , i.e. when the pope takes formal possession of the Lateran cathedral and palace. Just as in the coronation rite, here too the ancient cere…
Some Liturgical Effects of Blessed John Henry Newman
The feast day of Blessed John Henry Newman was celebrated this week (October 9th to be precise) and before the week passes us by I didn't want to miss an opportunity to resurrect some photos of a liturgical arts nature tied to Newman and the Birmingham Oratory.
Of part…
Sacristy Tips: Instructions for Cleaning and Polishing Thuribles of Different Metals
Recently LAJ published a very brief and simple tutorial on shining tarnished brass items like thuribles, candlesticks, etc. using super fine steel wool. We put out the word that we are always on the look out for new submissions to our "Sacristy Tips" series and …
Christ the King Chapel at Christendom College in Virginia
LAJ was pleased to receive an update on the new chapel of Christ the King planned for Christendom College, the Catholic classical liberal arts college located in Front Royal, Virginia founded by Warren H. Carroll. The following images are from O'Brien and Keane Archite…
Some Noble Gothic Revival Vestments
The following photo-post is intended to simply provide readers with a few examples of some of the very fine gothic revival vestment work that is found in Britain, and especially from St Dominic's Church - The Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary where all of these photos we…
Late Medieval English Vestments
Norwich Castle Museum in Norfolk, has a small but significant collection of late medieval English embroidery and among the collection are a number of items for church use: two funerary palls and the remains of two copes. I had the privilege of being able to view and photo…
Before and After: St. Mary's Church, Norwalk, Connecticut
We are pleased to share another 'before and after' today, this time coming from the firm of Duncan G. Stroik Architect and St. Mary's Church in Norwalk, CT. Here is what Stroik's firm says about the project:
"The renovation of the sanctuary of Saint …
Synergy in the Liturgical Arts
Very often when it comes to church furnishing and art, while there is a harmony amongst the component pieces, there is not necessarily a purposeful and studied integration between them. What do I mean? What I mean is that you may have an altar and an altar piece, as an ex…
A 17th Century Defense of Rood Screens
The following is a chapter taken from Fr. Jean-Baptiste Thiers' Dissertation on Rood Screens , a 17th-century essay defending the importance of rood screens in French churches. In this chapter, the author explains the principle of tradition from the point of view of the …
Paraments of the Order of the Golden Fleece
Today I wanted to to show readers another set of vestments coming from the Imperial Treasury of Vienna , this time a set that was made for the Austrian branch of the Order of the Golden Fleece -- one of the most elite orders of chivalry in Europe, comprised almost exclusive…
New (Traditional) Altars and Altar Rails by Duncan G. Stroik, Architect
If you think substantial altars and altar rails are now a thing of the distant past, capable of only seeing much simpler or more mediocre manifestations today, then think again. Here is just a small sampling of some of the new work that is taking place today, and these co…
Photo Post: Assumption in Lyon
It has been awhile since we have had a pure photo post and I can think of no better candidate for one than the Collégiale Saint-Just in Lyon under the auspices of Abbé Brice Meissonnier and the FSSP. This particular church is one that we have featured on our Facebook page …
Before and After: Sacred Heart FSSP Parish in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Continuing on with a bit of 'catch up' on some before and after photos LAJ has been sent, today I wanted to share with you another project executed by William Heyer Architect , Sacred Heart Parish in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This before and after is a bit unique from s…
Before and After: Blessed Sacrament Church in Newark, Ohio
Today I wanted to briefly share with readers another installment of our ever popular 'before and after' series of churches and their sanctuaries in particular. Under consideration today is Blessed Sacrament Church in Newark, Ohio.
This particular project was pursue…
Sacristy Tips: Polishing Metalwork to Restore its Lustre
Clergy, sacristans and altar servers who work closely with the many brass liturgical items that are used within the sacred liturgy -- candlesticks, reliquaries, thuribles, boats and the like -- are only too familiar with the fact that they invariably become dull, discolour…
Textile design by Geoffrey Webb
St Peter's, Great Haseley in Oxfordshire, is a building of much interest. It was a wealthy medieval living and in the later Middle Ages, the advowson was held by the Canons of St George's Chapel Windsor and that accounts for the large scale and lavish decoration of…
The Flax Burning Rite of the Papal Coronation
Wise rulers throughout history have often taken care to surround themselves with salutary reminders of their own frailty and the transitory nature of power. The auriga who held the laurel crown over the head of a triumphing Roman general would whisper into his ear: “ Mement…
Comper's Masterpiece at Wymondham, Norfolk
One of the most accomplished ecclesiastical artists of any age is the 19th/20th century English artist, Sir Ninian Comper. In fact, I consider his sculptural works to be masterpieces, not just of the modern age, but of absolutely any age.
Dr. Allan Baron, whom many of you …
The Modern Roman Missal Traditionally Typeset and Laid Out
Have you ever wondered what a modern Roman missal would look like if it was traditionally typeset in the tradition of the Latin rite missals of old? Being one who is quite interested in book binding and typography I was and when the new English translation of the Missale R…
