Located in Grado within the northeast of Italy is one of the oldest buildings of Christian worship found along the North Adriatic sea, the Basilica of Santa Marie della Grazie (Our Lady of Grace). The basilica was built in the sixth century, commissioned by one Patriarch El…
The Romanesque Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Grado, Italy
Located in Grado within the northeast of Italy is one of the oldest buildings of Christian worship found along the North Adriatic sea, the Basilica of Santa Marie della Grazie (Our Lady of Grace). The basilica was built in the sixth century, commissioned by one Patriarch El…
A Wood-Carved Relief of St. Michael the Archangel Inspired by Medieval Constantinople
For today's feast of St. Michael the Archangel, I wished to share an absolutely beautiful relief carving executed by the northern Italian studio of Mussner G. Vincenzo Ars Sacra . The piece in question was done for a private owner (meaning, not a parish church or the li…
A Fifteenth Century Green Chasuble from Sweden
The Nordic countries of Europe are not countries Catholics tend to jump to of when contemplating historical Catholic vestments. In point of fact, however, it has been my experience that it is precisely these countries that have within their possession,, some of the very bes…
Before and After: Padre Pio Eucharistic Adoration Chapel in Bridgeport, Connecticut
C anning Liturgical Arts is based out of Cheshire, Connecticut and is a branch of John Canning & Co. that is focused specifically in the domain of church restorations and beautifications. Many of their projects -- whether you know it or not -- will likely already be fa…
Episcopal Consecration of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen
It was a momentous and unforgettable day 75 years ago when Mons. Fulton J. Sheen, who was born into a farm family in Illinois, was consecrated bishop in Rome, Italy. The date was Monday, June 11, 1951. The feast day was St. Barnabas the Apostle -- a missionary, and only fit…
New Church Architecture: Baker Architects's Gothic Church for Jackson, Missouri
M ythodium Architects (also known as Baker Architects ) has shared some interesting digital designs for its project in Jackson, Missouri for the Church of the Immaculate Conception. In terms of the particular background and approach to the project, they comment:
Vestments Dedicated to the Roman Martyr and Commander of the Theban Legion, St. Maurice
St. Maurice was a third century Roman martyr. Originally born in Egypt, St. Maurice was a Roman legionary who commanded the Theban Legion of Rome -- a legion said to have been made up of primarily of Christians. Upon refusing to follow the orders of the Emperor Maximian to…
Nineteenth Century French Inspirations from Sacra Domus Aurea
We have featured many examples of new, traditional vestment design here on LAJ over the years, including many examples coming out of Sacra Domus Aurea and in terms of this particular atelier, we have also featured many of their excellent approaches to the revival of vestmen…
The Thabor (Blessed Sacrament Throne)
Some Catholics have never seen or heard of a "Thabor" (Blessed Sacrament Throne). I was accustomed to seeing this liturgical instrument in my youth at the two parishes in St. Paul where I was an altar boy. The church of the Nativity of Our Lord had one that was ma…
Before and After: Church of the Assumption in Nashville, Tennessee
It is once again time to feature yet another 'before and after' in our ongoing and ever popular series on the subject of the re-enchantment of a particular church building. In this particular instance, Conrad Schmitt Studios was the firm engaged to perform beautific…
An Impressive Eighteenth Century Set of Petrine-Themed Pontifical Vestments from the Era of Pope Benedict XIV
Today we are pleased to share this stunning set of pontifical vestments coming from the first half of the eighteenth century. The set in question is housed in Bologna and feature the arms of Pope Benedict XIV -- who reigned as Roman pontiff from 1740-1758 and who, prior to …
A Roman in America: Carmine Carapella and a Palladian Vision for Contemporary Catholic Architecture
Today we are pleased to introduce our readers to the architect, Carmine Carapella of Carapella Architecture . Carapella is Italian and, more specifically, he is a Roman by birth -- a venerable legacy in its own right to be certain. He began his career in architecture by stud…
The Lotharkreuz of Aachen Cathedral
Located in the Aachen Cathedral Treasury ( Aachener Domschatzkammer ) is a stunning crux gemmata (bejewelled cross), the processional Cross of Lothair, or Lotharakreuz , named after the ninth century Carolingian king, Lothair II. Despite the naming, this cross was actually mad…
The Stunning Basilica of San Juan de Dios in Granada, Spain
At the peak of the Spanish Rococo Baroque period, the BasÃlica de San Juan de Dios was built in Granada, Spain. Every surface is embellished in gilt and statuary. The result is a feast for the eyes offering the best that Spanish Baroque has to offer. The effect is pure wond…
Before and After: St. Patrick's Catholic Church in O’Neill, Nebraska
The good folks at Conrad Schmitt Studios recently shared news of a project at St. Patrick Catholic Church in O’Neill, Nebraska that involved bringing the parish back closer to its historical artistic roots. As many will know, many historical parishes were subjected to vari…
Portable Murals on the Life of the Prophet Moses by Markos Kampanis
Many may not be aware, but today is the observance of the Old Testament prophet and patriarch, Moses. The Old Testament righteous are frequently neglected in modern popular piety, which is really rather a shame given their place in salvation history, so today, in order to …
Medieval Meets Modern in Utrecht
Gothic vestment work is not something we have always a great deal of opportunity to feature here, but as we sit within the Octave of Easter, I thought it a good opportunity to feature of white gothic chasuble found in the collection of the Museum Catharijneconvent in Utrech…
Vatican Grottos Altar at the Tomb of St. Peter (Sepulcrum Sancti Petri Apostoli)
In the Vatican Grottos can be found this open concept chapel, facing the tomb of St. Peter. This is part of the vast crypt that stretches underneath St. Peter's Basilica. The area contains sarcophagi that hold the remains of deceased Roman Pontiffs, monarchs, princes of…
Before and After (Antependia Edition) with Penson Ecclesiastical Arts
One of the things we have discussed here and elsewhere over the years is how important antependia (i.e. altar frontals) can be and indeed are They are important in their own right in the same way that sacred vestments are generally, functioning effectively as the paraments…
