Now that we're entering the time of liturgical green once again, I thought we'd take a look at a unique solemn Mass set dated to the late 1600's that is presently found in the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The set is Spanis…
A Spanish Solemn Set For Green Liturgical Times
Now that we're entering the time of liturgical green once again, I thought we'd take a look at a unique solemn Mass set dated to the late 1600's that is presently found in the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The set is Spanis…
Vestments Dedicated to the Sacred Heart
With June being the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, it is an apropos time to share some chasuble designs coming out of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries that show case some of the Sacred Heart. Our first design comes from Croatia and includes a large, full figure …
A Rare Look at an Exquisite, Full Length Rochet From the 1600's
For those not familiar, the rochet, while it may look like a surplice in many ways, it is not the same thing as a surplice. The rochet (which can be primarily distinguished from a surplice by way of its form fitting sleeves) is an article of clerical vesture that is worn so…
Romanesque: The Church of San Giorgio a Brancoli
It has been a little while since we last made a foray into the riches of the Romanesque, so we'll correct that today by taking a short tour of the church of San Giorgio in Brancoli, Lucca -- Lucca being in Tuscany and one of the locations where, along with Venice, would…
The Greeks of Venice
When one thinks of the fabled canals of Venice, what comes to mind? First and foremost, canals and gondolas of course. Second of all, a distinctive style of gothic architecture punctuated by Persian, Ottoman and arabic design influences. Third, the more studied will also t…
The Lost Basilica of St. John Located in Ephesus
There are many early Christian basilicas that are lost to history, but in most instances newer one's have taken their place. For that reason there is something especially sad about seeing an early Christian basilica that is simply left derelict and in ruin, especially w…
Introducing Adornare Paramenti Sacri of Hong Kong
Today I would like to introduce our readers to a relatively new vestment start-up, situated in Hong Kong: Adornare Paramenti Sacri . A longtime friend to LAJ introduced us to the new enterprise, so we thought we'd take a look at what they are doing. First though, we'…
Before and After: Restorations of the Facade of the Church of Ss. Nereo e Achilleo in Rome
Previously we have looked at the church of Ss. Nereo e Achilleo in Rome. In one article , we primarily focused on the interior of this very interesting church, while in another , we considered its connection to the Roman Martyrology and Cesare Cardinal Baronius. Today we are …
The Veils of the Balustrade (or Chancel Screen)
By now it is well enough known to most that in earlier Christian times, the great canopy (i.e. ciborium) that covered over the altar at one time also included textile hangings (effectively curtains) that could be drawn closed at certain points within the liturgy. This pract…
Baroque Triumphalism in Pennsylvania: Paintings of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Hanover
A little over a year ago we wrote about this particular restoration project by Canning Liturgical Arts at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Hanover, Pennsylvania but I thought it was worth returning to this restoration work to show feature some of the impressive painted w…
Paul the Silentiary on the Lamps and Illumination of Hagia Sophia
For one reason or another, I have a particular fascination with early Christian lamps (lampada). It is perhaps because, like many people, there is an almost instinctual draw to the warmth of flame and candlelight. In the Western church, with the exceptions of the Easter Vig…
Hand-Carved Statuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
As it is the month of the Sacred Heart, I wanted to share some sculptures of the Sacred Heart that were created by the studio of Mussner G. Vincenzo Ars Sacra , located in Ortisei, Italy. Many of our readers will already be familiar with this atelier of course, but for thos…
Before and After: Chapel of Saint Francis de Sales at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, Virginia
Today we're pleased to present yet another instalment in the ever-popular 'before and after' series, and today we also get to introduce to our readers a new architectural firm: C.J. Howard Architecture . The project in question involves renovations that were unde…
A Unique and Rare Set of Pentecost Themed Vestments from the Eighteenth Century
Continuing on with our Pentecost considerations this week, I wanted to share a rather unique set that I came across recently. Many eighteenth century vestments were absent of pictorial imagery -- there are exceptions of course, but the fact of the matter is that eighteenth …
Before and After: Corpus Christi in South River, New Jersey
Almost two years ago we featured the new reredos that was installed at Corpus Christi church in South River, New Jersey. Since then the parish has been busily continuing on with its project of beautifying their church -- a good reminder in our time, a time which is so forme…
Further Pentecost Themed Vestments from the French School
Each year, whenever we hit the time of Pentecost, we try to feature some Pentecost themed vestments. We will continue that tradition once again this year with another selection of vestments, this time coming from the French school. In the eighteenth century, French vestment…
A Selection of Historical Antependia for Pentecost
Once again we find ourselves on the cusp of one of the most solemn days of the Church's liturgical year, the great feast of Pentecost. Pentecost, of course, commemorates the Holy Spirit descending upon the apostles fifty days after Christ's resurrection. By way of d…
Elena Neigum on the Icon as a Unifying Language of Sacred Art: East and West in Dialogue
Elena Neigum is an established iconographer and educator who is focused on the analysis of contemporary threats to the Byzantine iconography, advocating for the reaffirmation of the icon as a sacred and theological act within the life of the Church. -- LAJ. Guest article by …
Three Medieval English Embroidered Chasubles
If you enjoy late medieval and/or early Renaissance English vestment work, then you're in luck. Today we're going to share with you three distinctive chasubles taken from the period. Each of this three vestments were made sometime in the 1400's to early 1500'…
The Chancel Screen (Templon) of the Satkhe Monastery Church in Georgia
Over the past year or two, we've expended some time trying to showcase some of the liturgical-architectural features that were at one time commonly found in the churches of both the Christian East and West. One of those elements was the screen that separated the altar a…
A Golden Rose Crafted for the 125th Anniversary of St. Rita of Cascia's Canonization
On feast of St. Rita and the commemoration of 125th anniversary of her canonization. a decorative rose was crafted by Catholic craftsmen to adorn her image in the Augustinian church in Valletta Malta. Gabriel Farrugia, the director of music within the church, also happens t…
