When the new St. John's Abbey church of St. John the Baptist in Collegeville, Minnesota was dedicated in 1961, it was dubbed by one reviewer "the most exciting architectural story since the building of the great medieval churches in Europe." The project was de…
St. John's Abbey Church in Collegeville, Minnesota
When the new St. John's Abbey church of St. John the Baptist in Collegeville, Minnesota was dedicated in 1961, it was dubbed by one reviewer "the most exciting architectural story since the building of the great medieval churches in Europe." The project was de…
Churches of Venice: San Zaccaria
It often feels as though everything about Venice is unique. From its canals, to its traditions and distinctive styles that bring together influences from various parts of East and West. If all roads lead to Rome, as the saying goes, it feels as though all waterways led to V…
Authentic Inculturation: The Oriental, Sino-Christian Altars of Dom Adelbert Gresnigt, OSB
Dom Adelbert Gresnigt, O.S.B., was a Dutch Benedictine monk who lived from 1877 until 1956. Dom Adelbert was a monk of the Abbey of Maredsous in Belgium who was trained as a painter and sculpture in the Beuronese school, having executed works in locations ranging from the V…
Festal Chasubles from Seventeenth and Eighteenth Century France
In the past we have frequently shown festal chasubles -- i.e. chasubles that are particularly decorative in their qualities -- but we have seldom looked at such chasubles coming from within the French tradition, and since we have lately been trying to explore that tradition…
Peruvian Splendour: Vestments from Lima, Peru
If you think that ornate, antique vestments can only be found in the sacristies of Europe you may want to think again. In point of fact, the new world colonies of Spain (and Portugal for that matter) provide a great deal in the way of liturgical art that one typically woul…
More Sicilian Baroque: The Chiesa di Santa Caterina in Palermo
Sicilian baroque is perhaps one of the more interesting regional variations on the baroque. In the past we've shown you an example of this, the Church of the Gesù, located in Palermo, the capital of Sicily. Today we are going to show you another example, also located i…
Salzburg's St. Sebastian (Sebastianskirche)
Catholics who find themselves in Salzburg are encouraged to visit the parish church of St. Sebastian . Also known as the Sebastianskirche, this beautiful late Baroque church is connected to the Sebastian Cemetery, a wonderful place for a Sunday visit. The parish is known for…
The Venetian Cope of Gandino
This particular cope is of sixteenth century Venetian manufacture, presently on display in the Museo della Basilica di Gandino. Both the age of the cope and the Venetian influence are readily enough visible to anyone who has followed our various articles on LAJ in this rega…
Famous Daprato Altars: Church of St. Agnes (Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis)
The Daprato Statuary Company produced some of the finest marble altars in the United States. Their tag line was "first in quality of materials used, first in quality of execution, first in fidelity to design." Daprato altars were seen everywhere in new churches i…
The History, Forms and Symbolism of the Crosier
The crosier -- sometimes written 'crozier' -- or "pastoral staff" is, alongside the mitre, one of the most recognizable and iconic symbols of prelacy in the Church. It is a liturgical ornament that is a sign of authority and jurisdiction and today we wish…
Tiaras of the Popes: Three Tiaras of Pope Pius IX
Pope Pius IX, or "Pio Nono," is perhaps one of the most well known of modern popes, having reigned as Roman pontiff from the years 1846 to 1878. It is no doubt the length of his tenure, which at 31.5 years is second only to St. Peter himself and a few years longer…
Chapelle de Picpus in Paris (Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix)
Many Catholic pilgrims who travel to Paris make a stop at Picpus Chapel to pray and visit the attached Cimetière de Picpus (Picpus Cemetery). This is a place of prayer where hundreds of martyrs are entombed and where a famous statue in the chapel draws the faithful to pray …
The Church of Hosios Loukas in Greece: Exploring Architectural Commonalities Between Christian East and West
The church of Hosios Loukas (St. Luke) is a monastic church located near the small town of Distomo, Greece. The main church (which is referred to as a 'Katholikon') was built in circa A.D. 1011-1012 and is considered one of the very best preserved examples of Middle…
Centre of Liturgical Arts: L'Eglise Saint-Just de Lyon Where Popes and Kings Worshipped
In the Primatial See of Lyon - Prima Sedes Galliarum - is one of France's grandest and most vibrant parishes and one of the flagship parishes of the FSSP. I wish every Catholic could visit here for Sunday High Mass. This community deserves recognition and should be know…
The Sacred Belt of Our Lady (Cathedral of Prato, Italy)
Cathedrals in Europe are often home to precious relics of Christendom that are enshrined and displayed with great solemnity. In the Cathedral of St. Stephen in Prato near Florence is kept a famous relic known as the belt of Our Lady. Each year the relic is shown 5 times per…
How to Simply Achieve Noble Beauty, Simplicity and Romanitas in Altar Design
Let's imagine a scenario. You're building a parish perhaps, or perhaps renovating one; you want to build an altar, one that is both a linkage to the tradition as well as an expression of noble beauty and simplicity as historically expressed in the Roman tradition. …
America's First Basilica: The Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis ( Basilicae Sanctae Mariae Minneapolitanae ) has always been my favorite church in North America. Every time I visit this "modern" French Renaissance gem my heart is full. The incredible size and proportions, variety of marb…
Pontifical Vestments of a Late Eighteenth Century Italian Archbishop
Noble beauty and simplicity are oft spoken of concepts, but frequently also misunderstood . Some have taken to interpret and understand these principles in the light of minimalism and/or faux poverty (i.e. the use of more rustic materials and designs) and while such manifest…
The Resplendent Baroque High Altar of Saint-Bruno de Bordeaux
One of the most magnificent FSSP apostolates is Saint-Bruno in the port city of Bordeaux. This community in southwestern France boasts one of the most beautiful Baroque altars in the country, an outstanding example of seventeenth century decoration - a triumph of the imagin…
The Romanesque Basilica of the Abbey of San Giovanni in Argentella
Located near Rome in the town of Palombara Sabina is the abbey of San Giovanni in Argentella -- a city in which the antipope Innocent III was arrested in the year 1180. Construction on the abbey began in the sixth century, however a previous structure, possibly Byzantine i…
Before and After: St. John's Catholic Newman Centre in Illinois
Recently the head chaplain of the St. John's Catholic Newman Center located at the University of Illinois reached out to LAJ to share a renovation project they undertook in collaboration with Daprato Rigali Studios of Chicago. The project involved a two million dollar…
The Art of Altar Missal Ribbons
A forgotten liturgical art related to bookbinding is the art of the ribbon. Over the years I have noticed a wide variety of ribbons used in altar missals the world over. My favorite are the ribbons of the immediate preconciliar period that came from Belgium. Following ar…
Churches of Latin America: BasÃlica Nuestra Señora del Pilar in Buenos Aires
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Perhaps one of the most well known cities of South America is that of Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina. The name of the city itself takes its origins from a medieval Sardinian devotion to the "Madonna di Bonaira" -- which could be literally translated as &q…
Before and After: Church of St. Dominic in Brick, New Jersey
Our "Before and After" series can range from projects which constitute small but impactful restorations/renovations to those which represent significant and substantial improvements to the fabric of the church. Today's instalment features the latter and comes …
The 'Stola' of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
Anyone who has attended liturgical rites of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM) in places like England or Rome can appreciate the visuals, the high level of pageantry, and colorful symbolism particular to the Order. What many do not know is that the Order of Malta…
New Reredos for Corpus Christi Church by Studio io and Granda
Hearty congratulations to Corpus Christi parish in South River, NJ on the occasion of their new altar reredos that is a true work of art designed by our good friends at Studio io . Many thanks to Michael Raia, the president and founder of Studio io, along with his entire tea…
On the Road to Emmaus: the Benedictine Abbey of Abu Gosh in the Holy Land
The Benedictine Abbey of Abu Gosh , formally known as St. Mary of the Resurrection Abbey, is one of the best preserved Crusader remains in the Holy Land. I have a vivid memory of visiting here for the first time on a rainy day on the way to the Tel Aviv airport. It was pouri…
The Fifteenth Century Cope of San Ponziano
The Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta is an early fifteenth century basilica located within Gandino in the north of Italy. Within its treasury is an impressive cope -- called the Cope of San Ponziano -- which dates to the second half of the fifteenth century, thereby making…
French Heraldic Altar Cards Featuring the Arms of the British and Russian Empires
The following is a curious set of hand illuminated altar cards made in the year 1900. What makes them rather curious is that they were made in Lyon for a Visitation Monastery in France and within their art are found the arms of the British and Russian empires. In point of f…
Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe: The Terno del Tanto Monta
Awhile ago we gave a more general view of the treasury museums of the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe in Spain, including its significant and impressive collection of sacred vestments and other liturgical textiles. Today I wanted to dive into the details of a c…
The Monks of Norcia: Monastero di San Benedetto in Monte (Norcia, Italy)
One of the most peaceful places you will ever visit is the Monastery of St. Benedict on the Mountain in Norcia, Italy. I wish everyone could visit here. Personally, I was blessed to visit before the devastating earthquake of 2016 -- I had the privilege of serving Low Mass i…
A Cope from Fifteenth Century Spain
The following cope is presently in the possession of the Metropolitan Museum and originates in late medieval Spain dated to approximately the year 1438. Prior to being in the possession of the Met, it was in the Treasury of the Cathedral of Burgos. To my mind it well repre…
Before and After: St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Menasha, Wisconsin
While there are many things in our time that we might understandably lament, one of those things surely isn't the absence of parish beautification projects. Today's project, executed by Conrad Schmitt Studios , comes within the context of the church of St. Mary of th…
Manuscripts from the Treasury of the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe in Spain
The Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Guadalupe in Spain is a treasure trove of liturgical art. Previously we had shared some of their collection of sacred vestments and today we turn our attention to their impressive collection of manuscripts and liturgical books. Some of…
Tissus Lyonnais: A Prize-Winning Solemn Set in Cloth of Gold from 1900
Generally we haven't given a great deal of attention to vestments of the twentieth century, and in great part this is due to a general decline that was seen with the rise of industrialization that led to lower quality materials. What's more, many of the vestments of…
Vestments in Honour of St. Lawrence
St. Lawrence is one of the most popular saints in the Roman church -- and when I say "Roman church" I mean not only the Roman and Latin rites, I mean specifically also the local church in Rome. This is testified to the fact that St. Lawrence has not only one churc…
The Duomo of Fiesole in Tuscany
The Duomo of Fiesole is situated in Tuscany and anyone who has been to Tuscany will certainly recognize this right from the outset by simply looking at its external architecture, most especially its distinctly Tuscan style tower. The foundation of the cathedral dates to the…
Pentecost Themed Vestments from the Nineteenth Century French School
To date we arguably haven't given enough focus to vestments coming from within the French school and when one thinks of the French school what you are invariably referring to are the styles and approaches that were popularized in the nineteenth century in particular. V…
St. Joseph Shrine in Detroit: A Victorian Gothic Masterpiece
The recently restored Victorian Gothic steeple of St. Joseph Shrine looms above the city of Detroit. The tower, with its decorative oxidized copper cross, and the church with its towering vaults, is a vestige of a bygone era built by craftsmen with lost skills intended to s…
America’s First Cathedral: Baltimore Basilica
Above the scurry and tumult of a port city with early American roots, there is a majestic downtown space known as the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption . Its herculean procession of Ionic columns gracing its front façade makes it a recognizable city landmark,…
The Romanesque Abbey Church of San Clemente a Casauria
Generally if you ask people about traditional ecclesiastical architecture they think of gothic and baroque, but another major category is the Romanesque. Romanesque architecture is not as lofty as later medieval gothic forms, nor as playful as the baroque / rococo, but it h…
The Translation of St. Katharine Drexel
On August 2nd, 2018, the mortal remains of St. Katharine Drexel were moved—“translated” in ecclesiastical terminology—from their former resting place at the Motherhouse of the Shrine of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in Bensalem, PA to a new shrine at the Cathedral Ba…
Hidden Catholic Churches in Amsterdam
One of our readers, Pieter-Jan van Giersbergen, who is one of the curators at the Our Lord in the Attic Museum has sent in the following article to LAJ at our request. Many readers of LAJ will, of course, be familiar with the English recusants, "priest holes" and …
The Romanesque Basilicas of San Pietro and Santa Maria Maggiore in Toscanella (Tuscania)
Romanesque churches are always a favourite topic of mine for in general they tend to combine the strength of paleochristian features with later medieval ones and two such examples exist in Tuscania, both of which are located in sight of one another on the Colle di San Pietr…
Renaissance Elegance: Cardinalatial Vestments of the Early 1500's
The following set of vestments are dated to the Renaissance period, specifically to the years 1500-1520, and are found within Perugia. This particular set, unlike so many that include embroidered panel orphreys, is not an instance of an earlier medieval embroidery that has …
Hand Illuminated Altar Cards of the 19th Century
In the past we have shown some contemporary approaches to hand-illuminated altar cards, but today we are going to focus on an antique approach to the same. This particular set comes by way of the Musée de la Visitation located in Moulin, France -- which, incidentally, is a …
Design For a New Carmelite Monastery in Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania
It has been a little while since we've stopped to take a look at some new architectural projects that might be on the horizon and today we wished to turn your attention to the Carmelite Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St. Joseph in Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania…
A Closer look at the Apsidal Mosaic of the Basilica dei Santi Cosma e Damiano
We have done a more general post on the Basilica of Ss. Cosmas e Damiano in the past, but the details of the splendid apsidal mosaic of the basilica is well worth pausing to stop and take a look at for its own sake. As part of their series on the Station Churches of Rome, …
Before and After: St. Helen's Catholic Church in Vero Beach, Florida
It has been a little while since we've done a 'before and after' so I thought we would today briefly explore a work pursued by way of Conrad Schmitt Studios at St. Helen's Catholic Church in Vero Beach, Florida. The church was founded in the 1950's, and …
Holy Rood Crucifix Modelled After the Shroud of Turin (Columbia, South Carolina)
St. Joseph's church in Columbia, South Carolina is very fortunate to have one of the most beautiful hand-carved crucifixes in the nation. Thirty years ago I had the privilege of visiting here for the first time and it was a thrill to return this year to see its holy ro…
