The annual May Crowning ceremony is a cherished Catholic devotion generally held in early May—the month dedicated to Our Lady—when a statue of Our Blessed Mother is ceremonially crowned with flowers to honor her as the Mother of God and the Queen of Heaven. A Lost Tradition…
The May Crowning Ceremony
The annual May Crowning ceremony is a cherished Catholic devotion generally held in early May—the month dedicated to Our Lady—when a statue of Our Blessed Mother is ceremonially crowned with flowers to honor her as the Mother of God and the Queen of Heaven. A Lost Tradition…
Watts & Co's New 'Sainte-Chapelle' Inspired Line of Vestments
Anyone who has followed the history and tenure of Watts & Co. of London will know that they are known for two things in particular: their passion for bold, medievally inspired designs and medievally inspired vestments generally. They are, of course, experienced at other…
The Classical Beauty of the Statue of the Madonna di Trapani in Sicily
In this Marian month of May, we turn our attention to one of the most elegant and beautiful statues of the Virgin and Child you may ever come across -- at least in this writer's estimation -- the Madonna di Trapani located in the Basilica santuario di Maria Santissima A…
Before and After: Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Custer, Wisconsin
Recently, Conrad Schmitt Studios share the following with us, about a recently completion renovation at Sacred Heart Catholic Church located in Custer, Wisconsin. We are excited to share the newly completed liturgical decoration at Sacred Heart, an artistic renewal that hon…
Examples of the Solemn and Common Form of the Formale with the Image of the Holy Spirit
The Formale is a medieval ornament and something we covered previously in a 2022 article on this topic, but by way of brief overview, it is a decorative metallic clasp, used by senior prelates, when wearing a cope, covering the place where the cope joins at the front breast…
New Church Architecture: St. John Catholic Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma
C ram and Ferguson Architects are, of course, a storied architectural firm with deep roots in ecclesiastical architecture. While the firm is most often associated with gothic revivalist approaches, you can also find them approaching other styles and such is the case of St. J…
Some Examples of Processional Insignia
One of the things we like to do here at LAJ is present traditions and customs of older Catholic cultures; cultures where Catholic piety became deeply engrained in not only private life, but also "public" life. An example of that is the tradition of outdoor process…
The Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Paris
With it being May, the month dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, what better time to share a little something about the Chapel of Notre Dame de la Medaille Miraculeuse in Paris, France. The Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal was originally a smaller, private conv…
Before and After: St. Frances Borgia in Cedarburg, Wisconsin
C onrad Schmitt Studios have provided us with yet another 'before and after' project, this time coming out of the parish church of St. Francis Borgia in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. The present church building was originally constructed in the year 1870 and over the century…
A Sampling of Some Medieval Byzantine Processional Crosses
Very often when one thinks of 'Byzantine art' we naturally tend to jump in our thoughts towards the beautiful icons found on wood panelled boards but, historically speaking, Byzantium was known for much more than just that. They were known for various arts and luxur…
Vestments From the Sacristies of 18th, 19th and Early 20th Century Quebec
In the past, we have featured some of the particularly beautiful chasubles of the Ursulines of Quebec ; these are works that rival anything being produced at this same time on the European continent. The same may also be said of some of the beautiful antependia the Ursulines…
A Roman Tradition: Lamé Silk Chasubles
There is a custom seen in Rome of lamé silk chasubles. This is a particular type of fabric woven or knit with metallic threads combined with thin silk threads. The effect is a material that produces a shine or a glimmer, a sort of heavenly glow. The style became popular in …
A Beautiful Hand-Painted Replica of the Icon of the Madonna Salus Populi Romani
In Roman circles and Catholic circles that have a particular passion and interest in the Eternal City, one of the most popular and venerated historical icons is that of the Madonna Salus Populi Romani. The icon in question takes it name from its historical association with…
The Macchina Barocca (Baroque Machine) of the Church of the Gesù
One of Rome's best kept secrets is the daily Baroque musical catechesis given at the Jesuit church of the Gesù. It begins every day in the left transept in the chapel of St. Ignatius at 5:30 pm and lasts just several minutes. This altar is significant because it showcas…
A Look at Some Custom Wood-Carved Altars and an Ambo from Swiatek Studios in New York
Located in the Western New York State area, Swiatek Studios has been working for over half a century now in the realm of historic building restorations. While their work includes both sacred and secular projects, the studio has quite a history and portfolio in the realm of …
Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque in France
The Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque is a picturesque Cistercian Abbey tucked away in a deep valley in the South of France. Hidden in the countryside, it is one of the most iconic views of Provence, nestled below the village of Gordes. The Sénanque abbey was founded in 1148 by…
Exploring Polychromatic Sculptural Details from the Studio of Mussner G. Vincenzo
There are different approaches to sculpture in our churches. In some cases, we see monochromatic sculptures, made of stone or in some cases carved from wood, while in other instances we see painted, or polychromatic statues. The former were often inspired by the impression …
The Monumental, Suspended Paschal Candlestick of the Duomo of Milan
During the Easter Vigil and Easter season, there is an interesting feature one can see in the Duomo of Milan. Namely, suspended over the choir and in front of the historical high altar of the cathedral is a monumental candlestick. This candlestick contains the Paschal Candl…
Before and After: Our Lady of Lourdes in Denver, Colorado
I ntegration Design Group (IDG) have yet another interesting 'before and after' project to share, this time with Our Lady of Lourdes in Denver, Colorado. As we usually do, we begin with the company's own account of the scope and accomplishments of the renovation…
A Stunning Mitra Pretiosa from Atelier LAVS
Being within Paschaltide, it seemed like a perfect moment to share this wonderful mitra pretiosa (precious mitre) coming out of the Italian atelier, LAVS . Just as various companies may have 'signature' pieces for which they become iconically known, primarily throug…
The Labours of Rugo Stone at St. Patrick's in Washington, D.C.
In 2024, Rugo Stone , in partnership with Franck & Lohsen Architects, undertook a project at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. which saw the renovation of the church's sanctuary with new Italian marble appointments, and further work involving clea…
The 'Hall of Popes' Vestments at Santa Maria Maggiore
The Patriarchal Basilica of St. Mary Major has dominated the city of Rome for sixteen centuries. It is a universal pilgrim destination and a Marian temple par excellence . A global place of prayer an worship, it is a unique portal to the past. Of all the major basilicas in R…
The Impressive Treasures of the Museo Diocesano di Livorno
Think 'Tuscany' and most will tend to think of the city of Florence but don't tell that the Livornese. Livorno is the third most populous city in the region. It is the capital city of the province of Livorno and a historically important port city that has had a …
Spanish Colonial Style Retablos and More: The Wood Iron Factory's Efforts at St. Augustine's Cathedral in Tucson, Arizona
Situated in Tucson, Arizona, the Cathedral of St. Augustine is a beautiful, Spanish colonial baroque style structure. In fact, while we are focused in particular today on the excellent work of The Wood Iron Factory , a San Diego based company specializing in architectural an…
The Custom of Veiling Sacred Images for Passiontide
In many parishes across the Catholic world the custom or practice of veiling the crucifix and sacred images for Passiontide (the last two weeks of Lent), is making a comeback. This is a welcome sign of the renewal of the Church, with many people asking the right questions a…
The Return of the Spanish Biretta
The Spanish biretta is a nice touch and always a bonus to see because it is inextricably identified with the identify of a priest. It is a custom that was born in Spain and later carried to her colonies. These images show this style of biretta, courtesy of our good friends…
Rome's Famed Barberini Bees Revived - A New Bespoke Work by the Atelier Sacra Domus Aurea
Maffeo Barbarini, who is better known to Catholic history as Pope Urban VIII, reigned as Roman Pontiff from the years 1623-1644. If one looks around Rome one of the most iconic symbols that one can routinely find in the Eternal City, along with "S.P.Q.R." or Romul…
Historical Chasubles for Good Friday
Being as it is once again Good Friday, most all liturgically oriented minds are focused on the Triduum and, today especially, the Passion and Death of Christ. As such, it seemed like a good day to feature some chasubles that are especially apropos to the day.
Keeping Liturgical Time: Examples of Vestments for Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is an interesting time of the liturgical year for reason that we have been living now in penitential purple for weeks, we are surrounded by muted images which have been covered over by the veils of Passiontide, and now, after this long period of penitential …
Good Friday 'Recumbent Christ' Altar of Repose at Assumption Church
One of the warmest and most vivid memories of my childhood took place on Good Friday mornings when I would rise early and go with my father and grandfather and brother to the church of the Assumption in downtown St. Paul. In silence, we entered the dark church and made our …
A Seventeenth Century Pontifical Set Comprised of Twenty-Three Chasubles
Made from a beautiful pale purple silk lamé between the years 1650-1700, this beautiful (presumably pontifical) set comes from the Archdiocese of Matera-Irsina located in Italy's southern region of Basilicata. Uniquely, this particular set is not only comprised of the u…
The Urn of Repose from the Cathedral of Florence
We have discussed previously the urn used on the altar of repose for the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament during Holy Week, and we have also previously shared a number of historical examples of this liturgical object. However, I recently came across a rather noteworthy…
The Veil of Veronica and Trinitarian Eye of Providence: A Neoclassically Styled Lenten Set
Produced between the years 1800-1825, this beautiful, Lenten themed chasuble is made of a purple/gold silk lamé with metallic gold thread embroidery, wiht the usual vegetal motifs that characterize vestments of the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries, as well as neo-cl…
Watts & Co. of London's Passiontide Cope
Vestments with imagery of the instruments of the Passion of Christ, which is to say, the Arma Christi, or weapons of Christ, are frequently considered some of the most unique and most striking works in the historical repertoire of vestment design. Typically such vestments …
Gothic, Neri and Roman: Variations of the Folded Chasuble and Broad Stole
The folded chasuble was (and is) a vestment used within the Roman liturgy during penitential times as well as Good Friday. (For a detailed account of the history of this, please see our December 2017 article on the " History and Designs of the Folded Chasuble .") Of…
Dal Molin Stefano's Via Crucis (Stations of the Cross)
One of the interesting projects that the Italian woodworking and iconography studio Dal Molin Stefano unveiled in recent years is this particularly beautiful set of Stations of the Cross that they worked on in collaboration with iconographers Giovanni Raffa and Laura Renzi …
Beuronese Inspirations in Tempe, Arizona: New Jerusalem Studios Work at All Saints Newman Center
N ew Jerusalem Studios , based out of Phoenix, Arizona, is a firm that was founded in the year 2014 by Ruth and Geoff Stricklin (the latter of which is a graduate of the Liturgical Institute in Mundelein, IL, an institution that I suspect many of our readers will be familiar …
Rediscovered and Revived Lenten Veils in Austria
Today I'd like to feature some nineteenth century Lenten veils from the parish church of St. John the Baptist ( Pfarrkirche hl. Johannes der Täufer ) in Kaning, Austria. The parish was founded in the mid fifteenth century and is a quaint gothic structure with some Baroque…
A Traditionally Wood-Carved Statue of St. Joseph by Hape Sculpture
Nestled in the Dolomites in the north of Italy is Val Gardena, an area renowned for its tradition of wood carving, is the workshop of Hape Sculpture . This particular firm has been operating for more than 35 years now, though from the quality of their work, you'd certain…
New Church Architecture: St. Jude Catholic Church in Spotsylvania, Virginia
O 'Brien and Keane , an architectural firm based in Northern Virginia and Maryland, recently shared with LAJ, news of a new church project they were involved with in Spotsylvania, Virginia:
Reprint of the Breviarium Monasticum (1963 Edition)
It brings great joy to see the Breviarum Monasticum has been reprinted in its 1963 edition. The publishers are the monks of the Monastere Saint Beoit in France. The two-volume set is a dignified and worthy edition of the monastic breviary.
The Chasuble of St. Ignatius of Loyola
The chasuble of St. Ignatius of Loyola is one of the oldest in the world still in existence. It is a hallowed relic from the sixteenth century kept in his former personal quarters in Rome, attached to the church of the Gesù. Today it is faded and a shadow of its former self…
A Rose By Any Other Name: A Medievally Inspired Rose Chasuble from Atelier LAVS
Typically when we have shown rose coloured chasubles over the years, most of them have come in the baroque form. This is for good reason; this period and style is where most of the extant historical examples are situated and, frequently, it is the examples coming from this …
Cult Meets Culture: Lecce's Patronal Festival and the Silver Statue of St. Oronzo, Bishop and Martyr
Lecce is a southern Italian city, located right within the 'heel' of the Italian boot near the Adriatic and each year, between August 24-26th, the city celebrates its patron festival and saints: St. Oronzo (the city's first bishop), as well as two of his discipl…
A Eighteenth Century Belgian Solemn Mass Set
Brussels' Inventaire du Patrimoine Mobilier has an interesting set of vestments that they have dated to the eighteenth century, taken from the inventory of the Sint-Katelijnekerk (St. Catherine's Church) -- an impressive fourteenth or fifteenth century gothic pile l…
The "Rito del Faro" at the Cathedral of Milan
The mystical edifice of Christ, the Church, has permitted and lauded through the centuries certain pliable customs and traditions for teaching in her liturgy. Respectful and solemn, they avoid any irreverent attitude, but are faithful to the teaching role applied to them.
Further Vestments As Seen in Art
.jpg)
Seeing vestments in sacred art provides us with an opportunity to witness the types of vestments -- the shape of the vestments, the textiles that were used used and any ornamentation employed -- at a particular period of history. Anyone familiar with the artistic process of…
Son of Rome: The Roman Baptismal Font Where the Future Venerable Pius XII Was Baptized
Two days after he was born, on March 4, 1876, Eugenio Pacelli was baptized at this font. The location was the parish of Saints Celso and Giuliano, situated near the Ponte Sant'Angelo along an old pilgrims' road that leads to the Vatican. The current church was compl…
More Varieties of Violacea
One of the elements that makes Western liturgical art so very interesting is the great diversity of artistic styles and periods that make it up. By contrast, imagine if all churches looked substantially the same; our natural human tendency would become bored and unappreciat…
A Survey of Some of the Recent Vestment Works of Adornare Paramenti Sacri
We have been taking some time recently to look at what some of our partner liturgical artisans have been up to in their workshops -- after all, while we all enjoy the historical liturgical works of our tradition, it is also a living tradition in which we continue to see new…
