As we have noted before, the pax instrument -- also called a pax brede (board), osculatorium , or instrumentum pacis -- was a tablet that was devised in the course of the middle ages as a more sanitary means of passing the peace during liturgies -- peace that is otherwise pa…
More Examples of the Pax Tablet or Pax Brede
As we have noted before, the pax instrument -- also called a pax brede (board), osculatorium , or instrumentum pacis -- was a tablet that was devised in the course of the middle ages as a more sanitary means of passing the peace during liturgies -- peace that is otherwise pa…
Papal Mantum of Pope Pius VII
Pope Pius VII reigned as Roman pontiff for the years 1800 to 1823. Pius VII was a monk of the Order of St. Benedict who was ordained a priest in 1765, consecrated a bishop in 1782 and made a cardinal three years later. In 1799 he was elected pope following a six month perio…
Terracotta Aumbries of Renaissance Tuscany
In terms of the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, since the time of Trent Catholics are typically accustomed to the use of tabernacles for this purpose, however this is only one form for reserving the Eucharist. Historically there was also other forms such as the hangin…
A Seventeenth Century Nativity Frontal from the Workshop of the Ursulines of Quebec
Earlier this month on the feast of the Immaculate Conception we had featured an altar frontal that was designed and created in the seventeenth century by Mother Marie Lemaire des Anges and the Ursulines of Quebec. That particular frontal featured an image of the Immaculate …
Christmas in Rome: the Chapel of the Sacra Culla (Sacred Crib of Bethlehem)
Christmas Day takes on special meaning at the Patriarchal Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome (in Latin, Sacro Sancta Basilica Sanctae Mariae Maioris ). There in the crypt chapel under the high altar is kept this charming reliquary that allegedly holds certain wood fragments …
St. Nicholas' Church in Ancient Myra
Located in the ancient city of Myra (now modern day Demre in Turkey) is the church of St. Nicholas. The church is built over the original burial place of St. Nicholas, the fourth century bishop of Myra. In a certain sense, I suppose one might, tongue firmly planted in cheek…
The Castello della Magione di Poggibonsi: Centre of Resplendent Liturgical Arts
The Castle of Magione, located on the famous Via Francigena, or pilgrim's route to Rome, is a small Medieval complex that includes a chapel in the town of Poggibonsi. This beautiful little hamlet is very close to Florence and Siena. Several years ago I was privileged to…
A Closer Look at the Vestments of a Papal Canonization Mass in 1964
Photographs of the papal liturgies of yesteryear, especially solemn papal Masses, frequently excite a great deal of interest for reason of their splendour and beauty. Frankly, it can be overwhelming (in the very good sense). For many there is also an element of mystery to b…
The Advent Masses of St. Kateri's Mission
November 6 th 2023 marked the 350 th anniversary of the death of Catherine Gandeaktena, who with
her husband founded the Mohawk mission now known as Kahnawake, the jewel of the Eastern Woodland Indian missions and the home of the Canadian National Shrine of St. Kateri Tekakwi…
A Russian Vestment Set Made of Reindeer Fur and Mammoth Bone
Typically our focus here at LAJ is on Catholic liturgical art, specifically Western liturgical art. This isn't for the reason that Eastern Christian (be that be Eastern Catholic or Orthodox) art is of no interest to us -- far from it. No, it is rather because in the Lat…
The St. Wenceslas Chasuble from the Czech Republic
LAJ has shown a lot of violet vestments over the years, but perhaps none as unique as this one. The chasuble, which is referred to as the St. Wenceslas chasuble for reason that St. Wenceslas features prominently on the back of the chasuble, is dated to 1487 but I suspect it…
Examples of Medieval Pontifical Sandals
In a previous article, Pontifical Sandals: A Brief History and Consideration , we gave a general overview and historical consideration of liturgical "sandals" (i.e. shoes) that are traditionally worn by prelates within the context of liturgical tradition of the Lat…
Before and After: St. Monica's Catholic Church in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin
Many of our "before and after" series involve major restorations or renovations, and while those projects are clearly of interest, it is worth noting that even projects that are smaller in scale can have a noteowrthy impact. Today's instance, which was execut…
Examples of French Gothic Revival from the First Half of the Twentieth Century
Some of the very most interesting examples of gothic revival vestments come from turn of the century France and today I thought we could explore a few of them. First, however, a comment. Sometimes the impression people have of gothic revival vestments can be lukewarm at bes…
A Polychrome Marble Altar by Rugo Stone
In past articles we have noted that amongst some of the most noble and beautiful altars are those which employ polychrome marbles set into beautiful patterns and arrangements. This particular tradition is especially visible in places such as Rome where red, green, gold and …
Marie Lemaire des Anges' 1675 Altar Frontal of the Immaculate Conception in Quebec City
With today being the feast of the Immaculate Conception it seemed like a good opportunity to share an an antepnedium dedicated to the same, coming from the second half of the seventeenth century and taken from the exhibition “Broder comme une Ursuline" which was hosted…
The Potentiality for Modern Roman Basilica Styled Churches as Seen in Santa Croce in Via Flaminia
Normally when one goes to Rome, one naturally looks for the ancient churches -- and why wouldn't you after all? Going to Rome and not focusing in on the treasures of its ancient basilicas and sites would be a bit like travelling there and looking only for fast food chai…
A Chasuble from the Sixteenth Century
This late sixteenth century chasuble is yet another instantiation of the high end of the Renaissance style and tastes. The composition is one that we've covered many times before. A red and gold silk velvet done in the 'a griccia' motif that was so prized within…
On the Use of Tapestries at Traditional Papal Masses and Ceremonies: A Brief Survey
A feature of the traditional papal liturgies and ceremonies of yesteryear that has been lost in the post-conciliar period (at least to date) is the use of tapestries for the papal throne and, in the case of the Sistine Chapel, as the dossal for the altar. These tapestries …
A Violet Vestment from the Eighteenth Century
As we look to begin the season of Advent this weekend, I thought we'd take a moment to share a beautiful pale violet vestment from the eighteenth century -- specifically, in this instance, coming from 1750-1774. Eighteenth century tastes were such that they typically fa…
Churches of Venice: Chiesa dei Gesuati (Santa Maria del Rosario)
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The church of Santa Maria del Rosario in Venice is more commonly known simply as the Chiesa dei Gesuati -- though this should not be confused with the Jesuit church of Venice, Santa Maria Assunta. The church is relatively new, a true baroque building designed by the archite…
The Chasuble and Antependium of Pizzighettone
The diocesan museum of Cremona has an interesting set of a paraments on display known as the Pizzighettone paraments, coming with reference to the town of the same name. So how did such an impressive set of vestments come to be associated with such a location? The King of Fr…
The Use of the Peacock in Christian Art
The history of the decorative use of peacocks is one that pre-dates Christianity, tied back to the Greco-Roman world. By the late second or early third century we find it also appearing in Christian art, specifically within the context of funerary frescoes and, after that, …
Introducing Devotio- An International Exhibition of Catholic Religious Art and Services in Italy
Italy is in many ways the heart and centre of the world of Catholic sacred art for reason of the long history of its production there and as such it should come as little surprise that it is also home to vendor exhibitions in the same. One such exhibition is called Devotio …
Ambrosian Rite Vestments with the "Cappino" by Sacra Domus Aurea
Those acquainted with the liturgical arts of the See of Milan are familiar with the sight of Ambrosian Rite vestments. These vestments have a unique style and are distinguished, in accordance with an ancient tradition, with the “cappino" worn around the neck and fasten…
Ravenna in the United Kingdom: Mosaics of the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Catherine of Alexandria
The Church of the Sacred Heart and Saint Catherine of Alexandria is located in Droitwich, Worcestershire. Construction on the church began in 1919 and was 'completed' by 1921. The church is renowned for its mosaics which are considered perhaps the finest in all of t…
Hugo van der Goes in Berlin
Berlin’s Gemäldegalerie , part of the Staatliche Museum, is currently hosting a breakthrough exhibition on the artistry of Hugo van Der Goes, a technically innovative 15th century painter of altarpieces with artwork in the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain. Only a handful of Hug…
Before and After: St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Janesville, Wisconsin
C onrad Schmitt Studios recently unveiled a project that they undertook at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Janesville, Wisconsin. The project is a key example of how painting and stencilling can not only better accentuate the architecture of a church, it can also compl…
Vestments of Recusant England: The Requiem Chausuble of Helena of Wintour
Continuing on with our considerations of the English, recusant era vestment work of Helena of Wintour, we now turn our attention to her black requiem Mass chasuble for which Stonyhurst College provides the following descriptive details: The black silk and velvet backing are …
Goretti Fine Art: Original Sacred Artwork for Altarpieces, Murals, Antependia & Devotional Paintings
We live in a a time of restoration with various new Catholic artists making a name for themselves in different parts of the world. Two very gifted artists that deserve special mention are George and Polly Capps of Goretti Fine Art . Their original works display a perfunctory…
Splendours of Lisbon: Four Vestment Sets Produced by Roman Ateliers in the Mid 1700's
For those interested in liturgical ceremonial, Lisbon is frequently a destination of interest. The reason for this is primarily that the Patriarch of Lisbon had historically adopted many of the symbols that had come to be uniquely associated to the papacy (though it should …
An Impressive, Hand Illuminated Gradual and Antiphonal from Seventeenth Century Royalist France
Today we're going to take a quick look at the Graduale et Antiphonale ad usum S. Ludovici Domus Regiae Versaliensis which was produced between 1684-86.. As the name suggests it is a French gradual and antiphonal. For those not familiar, basically we are talking about a …
Roman Vestments From the Time of Pope Pius VI
In the year 2010, on the occasion of a Requiem Mass offered for Augustin Cardinal Mayer, OSB (a former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and also a one time president of the Ecclesia Dei Commission), Pope Benedict XVI wore a stunningly beautiful red cope (as is…
