Aurelius Prudentius Clemens (A.D. 348-413), better known simply as Prudentius, was a Roman Christian poet, and of interest for today's feast, the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul, is his poem, taken from his Liber Peristephanon (Book of the Martyrs Crowns), the Passion of t…
The Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul
Aurelius Prudentius Clemens (A.D. 348-413), better known simply as Prudentius, was a Roman Christian poet, and of interest for today's feast, the Feast of Ss. Peter and Paul, is his poem, taken from his Liber Peristephanon (Book of the Martyrs Crowns), the Passion of t…
Before and After: Three Churches
Continuing on with our popular 'before and after' series, I have three churches to show you today, each worked on by Rohn and Associates Design . After each image I will provide a few thoughts and comments. We begin with St. John the Evangelist located in Lambervil…
18th Century Ironwork of Amiens Cathedral
Ironwork in churches has always struck me as something of an unsung hero. Properly executed, it can turn a large space into a series of more intimate venues, adding additional beauty and layering (if you want to call it that) to a church, chapel or cathedral. One particul…
The Rich Tradition of Ecclesiastical Heraldry in the Liturgical Arts
Ecclesiastical heraldry has had longstanding expression in the Church. Most will, of course, be familiar with the fact that the episcopal arms of the reigning bishop are emblazoned on the canopy of the cathedra (chair) in his cathedral as well on his diocesan letterhead and…
Lessons Found in a Traditional Russian Icon Corner
In the Eastern Christian spiritual classic, The Way of a Pilgrim , the author speaks about how "in the devout Russian's room the icon will hang or rest on a shelf diagonally across a corner... and a reverence will be made to it by a person entering or leaving the r…
Vestments of the Cardinal Duke of York: Henry Benedict Stuart
Continuing on with our consideration of some unique vestments, today I wished to show you two chasubles of the Cardinal Duke of York, Henry Benedict Stuart -- one of the Jacobite heirs. Due to the politics of the time, Henry was born in exile (in Rome) and lived his life w…
The Imperial Treasury of Vienna: Precious Vestments from the House of Habsburg
In 2016 the Imperial Treasury of Vienna presented an exhibition entitled, " Praise of God: Ecclesiastical Textiles from the Age of Maria Theresia " which was an exhibition of 18th century vestments that are rarely seen due to conservation concerns. The treasury co…
The Classical Monument: Not a Thing of the Past
Visitors to the Eternal City will be well aware of the fact that if you look most anywhere in that esteemed city you will find monuments and memorials. They can be found on the walls and floors of churches to the very streets and buildings of Rome itself. It would be easy …
Surplice (or Cotta) Designs: Some Thoughts
Surplice design is very often a point of commentary when liturgical photos are posted, second only to the vestments themselves. While this might be considered a 'minor detail' the fact that they are commented upon at all is indicative of their visibility in the lit…
Noble Processional Banners: Not Relegated to the Past
It is an unfortunate reality that if you were to make any mention of a church "banner" in many liturgical circles, it would likely result in a negative or at least pensive reaction. This reaction is entirely understandable for the reason that since the 1960'…
New Vestment Work in the Baroque Tradition: L'Atelier Romanitas of Lyon
One particular vestment maker I like to keep my eye on is L'Atelier Romanitas in Lyon, France. This particular workshop seems to work very closely with Abbé Brice Meissonnier, FSSP -- who is known in usus antiquior circles, particularly on the continent, for his partic…
Photo Post: Solemn Pontifical Mass in Warrington (Or: More Examples of Synthesis in the Liturgical Arts)
I have spoken before of synthesis in the liturgical arts , and the recent photos of Archbishop Malcolm McMahon of Liverpool celebrating an ordination for the Fraternity of St. Peter in the usus antiquior in Warrington presents yet another opportunity to show just such a thi…
American Influenced Stained Glass at Our Lady of the Mountains
[The following was written for LAJ by Joseph K. Beyer, the president of Beyer Studio, Inc. about a stained glass project his firm undertook in Jasper, Georgia at Our Lady of the Mountains.]
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"My collaboration with Father Charles Byrd, Pastor of Our Lady of the Mou…
Two Altars, One Cathedral: St. Patrick's, New York City
For quite some while I've had it in mind to consider the two historical forms of high altar that have graced the sanctuary of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City. They represent, in many ways, the story of the first half of the 20th century when the Liturgical…
The Restored Cathedra Arrangement of the Cathedral of St. Paul
The firm of Duncan G. Stroik Architect undertook a restoration of the cathedra of the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota to bring it back to its original glory. LAJ is told that the original wood canopy and ornamental crown were in the basement of the offices of …
Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, New York City
The Old Basilica of St. Patrick's in New York, which was the second Catholic Church in Manhattan, the third in the state of New York and the seat of the first Cardinal in the new world, celebrated its 200th anniversary 2009 and just prior to this Rohn and Design Associ…
Relief of St. Michael from Mussner G. Vincenzo
Continuing on with our consideration of new liturgical arts, this particular work of Mussner G. Vincenzo , who are based out of Ortisei, Italy in the Val Gardenia, caught my attention. If you recognize that location that is because this is also where Ferdinand Stuflesser, w…
Liturgical Furnishings from Soma Studio in Toronto
It is tempting to think of high quality, ornate woodworking in the realm of the liturgical arts as a thing of the past. The reality, however, is that such craftsmanship can still be found today if you go looking for it. One example that I recently ran into was by way of So…
Matthew Alderman Illustrations for the Emperor Karl League
Not directly liturgical art in an of itself of course, but certainly of interest to LAJ readers, I think, is this new booklet published by the Emperor Karl League of Prayer which features illustrations by long time friend and associate, Matthew Alderman , who has connections…
Hand-Carved Statue of St. Rufinus of Capua by Ferdinand Stuflesser 1875
Continuing on with our consideration of some new sculpture work, I wanted to draw your attention to this recent work coming from Ferdinand Stuflesser 1875 who are based out of northern Italy in the Gardena Valley (Val Gardena).
Stuflesser is a family operated business that…
Before and After: St. Stephen the Martyr, Columbus, Ohio
Just a very quick post for our popular "before and after" series, this time coming from William Heyer Architect and St. Stephen the Martyr in Columbus, Ohio. Comments to follow. BEFORE AFTER
I'm not certain there is any particular need for me to sell why the n…
