Located just down the Via Claudia from the Colosseum is the basilica of Santa Maria in Domnica. The facade of this basilica is noble, simple and easily missed given the confluence of architecture and art that can be found in Rome. What perhaps might most catch one's att…
Minor Roman Basilicas: Santa Maria in Domnica
Located just down the Via Claudia from the Colosseum is the basilica of Santa Maria in Domnica. The facade of this basilica is noble, simple and easily missed given the confluence of architecture and art that can be found in Rome. What perhaps might most catch one's att…
Largest Episcopal Consecration in U.S. History (Diocese of St. Paul)
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The above photo commemorates one of the most solemn and forgotten liturgical events in U.S. history. It was the day 6 missioner bishops were consecrated in one ceremony on the Midwestern frontier. The date was May 19, 1910. The ceremony is remembered as one of the most m…
The Cloister and Treasury Museum of San Paolo Fuori le Mura
One of the main basilicas in Rome is that of St. Paul outside the walls (San Paolo fuori le mura). If you are going to that basilica, obviously the basilica with its splendid and majestic facade and forecourt is one of the key points of focus for many, along with the the to…
Restoration of Holy Week Statue of Christ in Chicago
In 2018 this beautiful statue of Christ was restored for St. John Cantius parish in Chicago. The statue is utilized by the parish for its annual Holy Thursday and Good Friday devotions, displayed in a little shrine to the Divine Prisoner that is set up temporarily every Ho…
Possibly the Most Spectacular Church Interior in Florence: The Basilica of Santa Croce
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If you're looking for one of the most stunning church interiors in Florence, it is natural to begin one's thoughts with a cathedral. However, the most stunning church interior in Florence is not that of the duomo, nor is it that of the Medici family's personal …
Angelo Leopardo Pitassi: Stained Glass Artist
Ecclesiastical glass craftsmen of the past inspire future generations by their works and life stories (needless to say, their works outlive the artists themselves). Their creations live on as a testimony to the creative genius of man. They serve to edify the young and gra…
Finding Liturgical Art in Florence - A Museum Not to Miss
Finding liturgical art is a task that is at once both easy and difficult. Obviously the easiest way to see liturgical art is simply to walk in a church itself and there you will be surrounded by it -- well, some of it at any rate. But if you're like myself, you want to …
The 100th Anniversary of the "Our Lady of the Annunciation" Chapel at Nazareth Hall Preparatory Seminary
"One afternoon, as we came along a dusty road, we saw Nazareth lying before us upon the slope of a valley, and surrounded by an amphitheater of hills. The square white houses stood close together, amid vineyards and olive trees, and upon a distant ridge we saw a congr…
Minor Roman Churches: Chiesa dei Santi Nereo e Achilleo
The church of Santi Nereo e Achilleo is a fourth century basilica located near the entrance of the baths of Caracalla dedicated to two Roman martyrs: Nereo and Achilleo. The form of the church is, of course, the classic basilica model. The church was rebuilt in the early ni…
Forgotten Traditions of the Papal Household: The Croccia
The croccia with its Renaissance sheen and rich color is an interesting garb that was sadly done away with in the sixties. In the photos can be seen the summer and winter versions of the croccia. It is difficult to find info in English on this now mostly forgotten traditi…
The Museo del Tesoro Lateranense (Lateran Treasury Museum)
While St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is that which is most popularly attached to the person of the Pope, the Lateran Archbasilica is, in point of fact, the actual cathedral of Rome. While that church is familiar enough to most, what many may not realize is that, located w…
The Custom of Festal Greenery in Homes and Churches
Recently some photos were shared showing the first Solemn Mass of Fr. Gwilyn Evans, FSSP on Saturday, June 25th, the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, in a parish church in Gestratz, Germany. What is of particular interest in the photos is the use of cut bough…
Vestments Commissioned for the Solemn Pontifical Mass of St. Junipero Serra
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Continuing on with our consideration of the liturgical art that was produced for the commemoration of St. Junipero Serra in the San Francisco area, we now turn to the vestments that were produced for the occasion, beginning with the solemn Mass set itself. The set was produc…
Hand Illuminated Altar Cards for Archbishop Cordileone's Pontifical Mass Commemorating St. Junipero Serra
One of our readers, the priest who very kindly commissioned the altar cards in question, recently shared some new works of liturgical art that were produced for the occasion of the celebration of a Pontifical Mass for the feast of St. Juniper Serra -- the founder of nine of…
Arnolfo di Cambio: An Artist You Have Seen Countless Times (But Probably Have Never Heard Of)
The Florentine born artist Arnolfo di Cambio is one of those artists whose work you have probably seen countless times, but you have probably never have heard his name unless you happened to be an art history major with a focus on medieval European art. Born in Florence an…
Florentine Paraments of Pope Nicholas V (1450)
Nicholas V reigned as pope between the years 1447-1455. To give a little historical context, it was during this same period that Constantinople fell to the Ottoman's -- a fact that Nicholas V always lamented, having attempted to come to its aid too late. Lamentable as …
Old Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota)
The liturgical arts flourish in every part of the world. The old Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Crookston, Minnesota is no exception. Although the stately church was abandoned in 1990 and remains in an embittered state, it is a historic icon rooted in local his…
Candlesticks from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem
These rare photos I took in the Latin Chapel of the Crucifixion (where the nailing to the Cross took place on Mt. Calvary). This is located in one massive church, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem; the oldest part which dates back to the time of the Empress Hel…
Examples of Mass Produced Catalogue Vestment From the First Half of the Twentieth Century
The following chasuble is dated to the first half of the twentieth century, likely the 1930's or 1940's and represents a style that was quite popularized by the gothic revival in combination with the age of mass produced catalogue vestment offerings. Parts of the ni…
Minor Roman Basilicas: Santa Prassede
The basilica of Santa Prassede is dedicated to St. Praxedes, a second century saint and the sister of St. Pudentiana. This particular basilica is amongst the older churches of Rome, being dated in its current form to the year 780, having been commissioned by Pope Hadrian I …
Minor Roman Basilicas: Santa Pudenziana
Having considered the basilica of Santa Prassede (Praxedes), we now turn to the basilica named after her sister, Santa Pudenziana (Pudentiana). The basilica in question was founded originally in the fourth century and is considered one of the oldest places of Christian wor…
Cesare Cardinal Baronius - Cardinal, Antiquarian and Scholar of the Roman Church
Cesare Cardinal Baronius was born in the Kingdom of Naples on August 30, 1538 and died on June 30, 1607. He was one of the most noteworthy scholars of ecclesiastical history and antiquities in the sixteenth and seventeenth century and while Baronius was from Naples, his hea…
The Importance of Ss. Peter and Paul to Rome as Seen Through Apsidal Mosaics
How important are Ss. Peter and Paul to the city of Rome? To answer that question one need only look at the apsisdal mosaics of a number of the basilicas of the Eternal City -- arguably the most important artistic works of any given basilica outside of the altar and cibori…
A Brief Inquiry into the Roman Custom of Painted Candles
One of the elements that one always notes within Roman churches are the beautiful large candlesticks with their candles. Of course, candles of such a tall height as is seen on such high altars are generally not feasible beyond a certain height, especially in the places that…
An Introduction to the Cosmati and Cosmatesque Ornament
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Anyone who follows liturgical and ecclesiastical arts will invariably, at some point, come across the term "cosmatesque," but to what does this refer? Cosmatesque is also referred to as "Cosmati" which is actually a family name. The Cosmati family were…
The Church of San Pietro in Albe
Located in Abruzzo, the region of Italy that sits beside Lazio where Rome is located, is the impressive church of San Pietro in Albe -- now a museum rather than an active church. The church is situated over a former pagan temple to the Roman god Apollo located in the small …
The Shrine to St. Joseph and Its Historic High Altar (Archdiocese of St. Louis)
North America has two prominent shrines to St. Joseph that draw the faithful by supernatural instinct, turning to their foster father in heaven with childlike trust and devotion. Both destinations are places of miracles that gather pilgrims from near and afar: one in Montre…
On the Lamps, Candelabra and Lights of the Paleochristian Basilica
Thinking about the atmosphere of the paleochristian basilicas in the Rome of Constantine and thereafter is a subject that can be quite tantalizing if you use a little liturgical history combined with some imagination. What were they like? In many regards they're going …
Churches of Latin America: Catedral Metropolitana de la Asunción de la SantÃsima Virgen MarÃa a los Cielos, Mexico City
Continuing on with our considerations of some of the beautiful and historic churches of the old colonial missions in Latin America, we turn to the Catedral Metropolitana de la Asunción de la SantÃsima Virgen MarÃa a los cielos (Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of th…
The Tomb of Archbishop Sheen: Cathedral of St. Mary (Peoria, Illinois)
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One of the most important new pilgrimage destinations in the United States is the final resting place of the Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, located since 2019 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Peoria, Illinois. Sheen is entombed in a side alcove chapel on the left…
Seven Deacons, Seven Subdeacons, Seven Acolytes, Seven Candles - An Inquiry
One of them ceremonial curiosities that turns up from time to time is mention of the number of seven in relation to various clerics and sacred ministers within the liturgical sphere. This has mainly received some attention in relation to the pontifical liturgy of the tradit…
The Traditional Papal Corpus Christi Procession in Rome Prior to the End of the Papal States Described
Up until 1870, with the end of the papal states, the popes led a grand Corpus Christi procession through the streets of Rome, beginning at St. Peter's Basilica. (It wouldn't be until almost 100 years later, under Pope John Paul II, that this tradition would be reviv…
Before and After: St. Mary's Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Valley Falls, Kansas
We're pleased to bring you yet another 'before and after' -- and fortunately, 'before and afters' seem to rarely be in short supply these days. This particular one comes by way of Ecclesiastical Studios and Sons at St. Mary's Immaculate Conception Ca…
Baroque and Rococo Chasubles from Eastern Europe
If you look toward Eastern Europe, one will see a rather different influence in design compared to their Western European counterparts -- a certain rustic quality one might say. While they are indeed of the same design family in many regards, nonetheless the style and the t…
Lex Orandi: Liturgical Arts As Visible Signs and Expressions of Continuity
A point that must always be borne in mind is that liturgical art, of whatever type, is not merely 'window dressing.' It is not an inconsequential 'frill.' It, as much as anything, forms a part of the content of divine worship, just as do the liturgical texts…
Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America (Washington, D.C.)
It was a delight to visit once again earlier this year the Franciscan Monastery in Washington, D.C. Such solitary grandeur - a true pilgrimage destination - on a wooded hillside in Northeast Washington. There is found the Memorial Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a truly fas…
Minor Roman Basilicas: San Giovanni a Porta Latina
Most of the facades of the churches of Rome were given a baroque update, creating some of the most iconic and spectacular facades anywhere in Christendom. Indeed, Rome is synonymous with the baroque in many regards, but beneath that baroque veneer are frequently Romanesque …
Traditional Reverences Offered to the Office of the Vicar of Christ (The Pope)
One of the elements that one sometimes sees popularly depicted in films and the like is the tradition of kissing the pope's foot. Of course in present times such actions are frequently viewed in a negative light even by Catholics and, in view of that, it seemed to be so…
Candlesticks from the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth
Candles (and therefore candlesticks) are an ancient accessory of worship. In the Christian tradition special candlesticks have been used for different occasions and liturgical seasons. For example, in the Caeremoniale Episcoporum mention is made of silver for great feasts…
A Closer Look at Two Important Icons in Venice and Rome
Icons are most typically associated with the Eastern churches, but of course they actually represent a shared patrimony of both East and West. Two prominent icons that can be found within Italy are situated in Venice, in the high altar of the the basilica of Santa Maria del…
Forgotten Roman Customs of Pentecost
Many are well familiar by now with the custom of the shower of red rose petals sent down from the oculus of the Pantheon on the feast of Pentecost, a custom that is frequently dated back to around the beginning of the seventh century. What many not know is that there were a…
Ornamental and Heraldic Woodcarver Patrick Damiaens of Belgium
Anyone who has traveled through Europe knows well how inspiring and overwhelming it is to see all the wood carvings done by hand in churches and homes and public buildings. This is a forgotten art is that is making a gradual comeback by a handful of gifted artists. Althou…
Classicism Meets Catholicism in these Rococo Vestments from Lithuania
I am, admittedly, not a fan particularly of vestments which employ full blown scenes upon them -- an article perhaps for another day. However, personal preferences aside, this particular series of vestments -- which originated within Lithuania -- are certainly worth sharin…
Before and After: St. Louis' Church in Memphis
C onrad Schmitt Studios recently shared another 'before and after' project, this time at St. Louis's Catholic Church located in Memphis, Tennessee. This particular example shows us a relatively modern church in a style typical of the mid 20th century. As was so o…
The Vanquished Altar of the Chair of the Vatican Basilica
The altar depicted in the photo was placed here in St. Peter's Basilica during the reign of Pius IX and was removed by order of the Rev. Fabbrica di San Pietro in 1994. The various candlesticks are on display today in the Treasury Museum of St. Peter's Basilica, lo…
The Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama
The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery is an awesome sanctuary in the rolling hills of Hanceville, Alabama (Diocese of Birmingham). Constructed in the creative footprint of the 13th-century Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, the Shrine…
Contrasts - More Atypical Colour Combinations in Vestment Design
We live in an age when we've become accustomed to commonly used templates for vestments. Gold and silver highlights and orphreys for example; primary colour damasks. For those more familiar with eighteenth century vestment work, pastel colours are frequently seen. So of…
Sacro Monte di Orta - The Canonization of Saint Francis by Pope Gregory IX
S acro Monte di Orta is a series of chapels that are of unique interest. Located in Piedmont in the north of Italy, construction began in 1583 and the original project envisioned 36 "chapels" which were dedicated to St. Francis and his order. The chapels are unique…
Book Review: Churches Their Plan and Furnishing by Peter F. Anson (Romanitas Press)
The most delightful book I have seen on the subject of building and remodeling Catholic churches is Churches Their Plan and Furnishing by Peter F. Anson. This easy to read and little-known softcover book has recently been republished by our good friends at Romanitas Press .…
