We live in an age when we've become accustomed to commonly used templates for vestments. Gold and silver highlights and orphreys for example; primary colour damasks. For those more familiar with eighteenth century vestment work, pastel colours are frequently seen. So of…
Contrasts - More Atypical Colour Combinations in Vestment Design
We live in an age when we've become accustomed to commonly used templates for vestments. Gold and silver highlights and orphreys for example; primary colour damasks. For those more familiar with eighteenth century vestment work, pastel colours are frequently seen. So of…
Sacro Monte di Orta - The Canonization of Saint Francis by Pope Gregory IX
S acro Monte di Orta is a series of chapels that are of unique interest. Located in Piedmont in the north of Italy, construction began in 1583 and the original project envisioned 36 "chapels" which were dedicated to St. Francis and his order. The chapels are unique…
Book Review: Churches Their Plan and Furnishing by Peter F. Anson (Romanitas Press)
The most delightful book I have seen on the subject of building and remodeling Catholic churches is Churches Their Plan and Furnishing by Peter F. Anson. This easy to read and little-known softcover book has recently been republished by our good friends at Romanitas Press .…
Envisioning Old St. Peter's at the End of the Middle Ages: The Atrium and Facade
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Old St. Peter's is a topic of endless fascination for many, inspired both by an interest in the antiquity of the basilica and also in part by a bitter-sweetness that is imparted jointly by both an appreciation for the beauty of the present basilica alongside also a sens…
Romanitas: The Display of Church Plate for Solemn Occasions and an Inquiry into Roman Origins
A custom found in the Roman church is the rich display of church plate -- called, in Italian, "piatto da parata" -- and the like on important and solemn occasions such as the visit of a Cardinal or at times other important feasts or occasions. Essentially the prac…
The Relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous in the USA
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes has organized a five-month long pilgrimage of the relics of St. Bernadette Soubirous in the United States. The special tour was prepared in partnership with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, North American Volunteers, Hos…
Before and After; St. Thomas the Apostle in Ann Arbor, Michigan
C onrad Schmitt Studios recently shared a 'before and after' project which is situated at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The 120 year old church had originally contained a mural of the Ascension within its apse which, regrettably, had …
Liturgical Notes on the Solemn Pontifical Mass of the Rite of Lyon (Part 1 of 2)
The following is a description of the Mass of Catechumens of the rite of Lyon in its pontifical form. The Lyonese rite has long interested me and it is said that some of its features find similarities to the papal liturgy of old -- namely, as described in the Ordo Romanus P…
A Selection of Vestments from the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City
The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption (Catedral Metropolitana de la Asunción de la Santísima Virgen María a los Cielos) is host to many fine elements of liturgical art, not least of which its impressive collection of sacred vestments. We are fortunate that a selectio…
The Helmet of Salvation: The Art of Crafting an Amice
S acra Indumenta in Connecticut are making a name for themselves with an enhanced level of quality craftsmanship (and very interesting workshops). This brings to mind the good old days of family owned full-service design and tailoring ateliers in places like Lyon, Milan, Ge…
The Twelfth Century Chasuble of Saint-Yves
Very few intact vestments from the medieval era remain, but one of a handful which can still be found is the so called chasuble of Saint-Yves, so named because it is found in the French church of St. Yves de Louannec. An interesting design feature of the chasuble is the sli…
Two Examples of the Mitra Pretiosa
The following mitres belong in the private collection and chapel of an Italian friend who will, of course, remain anonymous. It shows two classically designed mitra pretiosa (precious mitres) decorated in a style that was commonly seen through the period of the 16th through…
Churches of Latin America: São Francisco in Salvador, Brazil
Continuing with our consideration of some of the churches of Latin America, today we turn to the Franciscan church of São Francisco in Salvador, Brazil. With the approval of Pope Sixtus V, the first church and monastery on this site was built by the Franciscans in 1587, but…
The Art of Restoring Church Paintings with Parma Conservation
Art restoration is a major component of the liturgical arts. Just as words edify the ears so also images stimulate the eyes and satisfy the soul. Church paintings, murals, marouflaging images on architectural surfaces (designs painted on canvas and adhered to walls), and …
Avoiding Symbol and Image Overload in Contemporary Vestment Design
There is, arguably, a renaissance in vestment design that is taking place, however as with any rebirth there are bound to be some occasional growing pains. One of the trends I've been observing, which is driven as much by the consumer of these items as any motives of th…
Regional Variations on the Surplice: Venetian and Hispanic
In the realm of vestments we have featured how there are different regional cuts that can be observed. While these are not hard and fast divisions, they represent trends particular to a region; sometimes they represent an older tradition that has been maintained in a partic…
An Introduction to Martin Earle Sacred Art and Furnishings
Today I wished to introduce you to some of the work of Martin Earle of Martin Earle Sacred Art and Furnishings . Martin is based out of England and studied at the Royal College of Art. His work ranges from first millennium iconographic depictions (a shared tradition of both …
Another Approach to Memento Mori on Vestments
Typically when we think of memento mori on chasubles, we've focused on the use of skulls, but of course there were other expressions, particularly as skulls went on the 'outs' during the mid 19th century. Another expression that took place was to include other s…
The Art of Making Altar Breads
In the past many parishes made their own altar breads, produced from wheat that is unleavened (without yeast). Some still make their own, with dedicated volunteers helping out on a regular schedule. Also, there are a handful of monasteries that still make, sell, and dist…
Vesting Prayers for the Sacristy
Every sacristy would do well to have this hand-lettered list of vesting prayers framed and visible on the vesting cabinet. These are prayers that a priest prays for the donning of each of the sacred vestments in the sacristy before Mass. Also helpful is the prayer for the…
Maria Stein Shrine of the Holy Relics in Ohio (Archdiocese of Cincinnati)
Visitors approaching the farming community of Maria Stein in Western Ohio notice two large steeples from separate churches soaring into the sky. These symbolic monuments to God are testimonies of the solid faith of the German immigrant farmers who settled here during the n…
Formed in Beauty: Sacred Art by Tianna Williams
One of the most gifted Catholic artists of today is Tianna Williams of Canada. Her paintings are simply astounding. Some of her most recent works include a series of paintings of saints done in collaboration with Ascension Press and Fr. Josh Johnson, seen here . Last ye…
Before and After: Statue Restoration by Conrad Schmitt Studios
It is very easy to consider damaged liturgical items as lost to the sands of time, whether it is threaded antique vestments or damaged sculptures and so on. The reality, however, is that liturgical artists and conservationists do exist who can potentially repair such items.…
A Hand Carved, Wooden Altar Cross from ALBL Oberammergau
If you take a look at the altar cross which is the subject of this particular article, you will no doubt begin by thinking, "what a beautiful piece of metalwork" however, the assumption that this is a work done in metal, while understandable, would actually be inc…
Churches of Latin America: Basílica y Convento de San Francisco de Lima, Peru
Today we begin our first instalment of our consideration of the Churches of Latin America with the Basilica and Convent of St. Francis in Lima, Peru. The first structure on this site, dated to the 16th century, was destroyed in an earthquake in 1655, and so construction beg…
1940's Crosier of Bishop James J. Byrne, S.T.D.
A simple contemporary crosier, symbolic of the shepherd's crook. Today it is part of the treasury of the Cathedral of Dubuque, Iowa. It was the crosier given to Bishop James J. Byrne, S.T.D. when he was consecrated bishop on July 2, 1947 in the Cathedral of St. Paul i…
New Traditional Church Architecture in Spain
The Diocese of Alcalá de Henares, just outside of Madrid, approved last week the construction of a new Church for the Parish of St Theresa of Avila. Established a decade ago to serve the growing community in a newly developed neighborhood,
the Parish has been housed in ve…
Liturgical and Historical Notes on the Ancient Observance of Octaves
The matter of octaves are one of the liturgical reforms of the 20th century that frequently get a lot of attention from those interested in the subject of 20th century liturgical reform. Opinions range from those who believe the octave reforms were justified (with the possi…
The Ceremonies of Holy Saturday in the Papal Chapel and St. John Lateran as Described in 1839
The following is an excerpt taken from C.M. Baggs work, "The Ceremonies of Holy Week at the Vatican and St. John Lateran's Described" which was published in Rome in 1839. Those interested in this work can find it online . This particular excerpt describes the c…
Reviving the Tradition of the Crotalus: Liturgical Instrument of the Easter Triduum
The earlier portion of the Mass of Holy Thursday is joyful. When the Gloria is intoned by the celebrant, the organ sounds and the bells are rung - and suddenly they cease, remaining silent in a somber mood until the Gloria on Holy Saturday when all the lights are turned on…
