Our (unofficial) 'series' on vestments in art has proven rather popular, so I thought we'd continue this consideration with a few more finds, beginning with some illustrations taken from 16th-17th century liturgical books. While these particular illustrations …
Further Considerations of Vestments Depicted in Sacred Art
Our (unofficial) 'series' on vestments in art has proven rather popular, so I thought we'd continue this consideration with a few more finds, beginning with some illustrations taken from 16th-17th century liturgical books. While these particular illustrations …
Cathedral of St. Helena in Helena, Montana
One surprisingly beautiful church that gets little attention is the Cathedral of St. Helena in Helena, Montana. I was delighted to see this gem in person last year while visiting Montana. The limestone exterior boasts some twenty-nine statues and in some ways speaks of ni…
Pointilist Catholic Illustrator Quentin Leduc
Catholic illustrators have been on the rise of late it would seem and their work fills an important gap for not every work of liturgical art is destined for a vestment or a church wall; they are also needed for publication in liturgical books, parish bulletins, to be used o…
The Marian Miter of Paul VI: A Gift from Pius XII
One of my favorite precious miters is this mitra pretiosa , depicting what appears to be the Assumption of Our Lady in the center. The miter displays rich embroidery with gold and silver thread, studded with precious stones, jewels, pearls, and gems. The infulae end in gol…
John Lu Hung-nien's Annunciation
We have featured many times before Japanese and Chinese Madonnas and for the feast of the Annunciation, today seemed like another good opportunity to share an image from this rich tradition of inculturated sacred art. The piece in question, which is a painted on silk in th…
Introducing Hape Sculpture of Laion, Italy
H ape Sculpture is a woodcarving firm located in Laion in the very northern part of Italy. They produce all manner of woodcarvings, not only ecclesiastical, but it is that which is of course our focus here. Today I thought I would show a couple of their works which recently …
The Evolution of the Lateran Archbasilica (And What Sits Beneath It)
The Lateran archbasilica (known more properly as the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Saviour and of Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist in the Lateran) is one of the most venerable in the entire Christian world, erected by the Emperor Constantine in the year 324,…
Ecclesiastical Architect and Benedictine Monk: Fr. Michael McInerney, O.S.B.
One prominent American Catholic architect of great merit worth mentioning is Fr. Michael McInerney, O.S.B. (1877-1963). Born in Pennsylvania of Irish immigrants, he was a Benedictine monk of Belmont Abbey in North Carolina. Trained in the medieval-revivalist style of his …
Before and After: St. Patrick's Oratory in Green Bay, Wisconsin
C onrad Schmitt Studios shared some photos recently of a project they undertook at St. Patrick's Oratory in Green Bay, Wisconsin -- a church that is liturgically used within the context of the usus antiquior and the Institute of Christ the King. The bones of the archite…
Crux Stationalis: New Lenten Stational Church Videos from Rome
Jacob Stein is an American student in Rome. He has done a terrific service by producing excellent little videos on the Lenten stational churches in Rome. An introduction video can be seen here . The videos can be found on his YouTube channel entitled Crux Stationalis . I …
Three Handcarved, Contemporary Wooden Sculptures of St. Patrick
With it being St. Patrick's Day today, I thought we would explore a few of the liturgical arts surrounding the saint of this popular feast day, focusing on some of the contemporary sculptural work of the saint by three workshops: Mussner G. Vinczeno Ars Sacra, ALBL Ober…
The Shapes of the Medieval Ostensorium (Monstrance)
One of the features of the Ambrosian rite that many Catholics of the other Latin rites take note of is the shape of the ostensorium -- or monstrance -- used in that rite for processions, benediction and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. In point of fact this vessel was (h…
The Fascia with Vintage-Inspired "Fiocchi" Tassels
Discussions at outdoor cafes in Rome on the theme of bespoke ecclesiastical haberdashery can be informative and entertaining. At some point the conversation invariably touches on the subject of the fascia and its tassels ("fiocchi"). This combination is a long-e…
The Organic Development of the Shape of the Chasuble
Since the nineteenth century, one of the 'hot button' topics within the Catholic liturgical sphere has been the shape of the chasuble. Overall, a lot of ink has been spilt on this subject -- ink that, in my estimation, could have been much better spent elsewhere but…
Return to Beauty: Kathleen Carr and The Catholic Art Institute
Kathleen Carr is an incredible artist and Catholic arts influencer who is doing great work on many fronts. She is the founder and president of the Catholic Art Institute (CAI), the only Catholic arts organization of its kind that exists to restore a culture of truth, beaut…
Book Notice: Habiller le Culte - Vestments from Eighteenth Century Belgium
There are a plethora of books that cover the matter of sacred vestments, but uncovering the very best of the best -- as defined by both the quality of the publication photos as well as the quality of the vestments shown -- can sometimes feel as rare as trees in Venice; it t…
Introducing a New Series: Churches of Latin America
Think of 'the new world' and sacred art and architecture and generally what comes to most people's minds are either 19th century gothic revival or mid-20th century modern church buildings, but this is a very limited view of the matter. In the English speaking ne…
St. Joseph's Orphanage Chapel: A Rare Example of North American Rococo
The chapel of St. Joseph's Orphan Home that was once located in Superior, Wisconsin showcases a rare example of the rococo in North America. It was so rare that there was nothing like it in the United States before or after. The entire chapel with its ornamental works…
Baroque Versus Rococo: What's the Difference?
To the person who simply enjoys beautiful art and architecture, distinctions like "baroque" or "rococo" might seem overly technical. In fact, they quite likely mix up Rococo works as actually being baroque -- and it is quite understandable. There is, how…
The Lost Art of Hand-Made Altar Cards
The Pelican Printery House has produced this interesting hand-made set of illumined altar cards that deserves praise. More here . This is not seen very often anymore. Many of us are pleased to see these forms of art making a comeback. There is no lack of classical inspir…
Sisters of Mercy Chapel in Belmont, North Carolina
The soul craves beauty in religion. It is a real treat to see evidence like this of a cozy and distinctly real religious atmosphere in a convent chapel that inspires and thrills with its own delightful soul-uplifting charm. A beautifully furnished church is an inspiration…
Early Sicilian Baroque: Church of the Gesù in Palermo, Sicily
The Church of the Gesù, located in Palermo, is considered one of those spectacular early examples of Sicilian baroque in all of Sicily -- and rightly so. Construction on this impressive structure began in 1590 and was finally completed in 1636. The church is considered an e…
French Tastes: Two Red Vestments from Two French Cathedrals
Today I wished to share a chasuble taken from the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Le Puy-en-Velay. There is some suggestion that the chasuble originates from the 17th century; I admit to having some doubts about such an early dating, though certainly there are some aspects to b…
