Whole not a "new" project per se (though it certainly is that if you consider it within the time-scales of the Church) a project that we've wanted to briefly make note of is that of the chapel of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist located i…
The Chapel of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, Michigan
Whole not a "new" project per se (though it certainly is that if you consider it within the time-scales of the Church) a project that we've wanted to briefly make note of is that of the chapel of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist located i…
The Chapel and Sancta Maria Regina Angelorum Fresco at Seton High School in Manassas, Virginia.
Today I wished to take a few moments to feature the work, once again, of painter and mosaicist, Ioana Belcea of Princeton, New Jersey. Specifically I wished to look at the "Sancta Maria Regina Angelorum" fresco which is located in the Queen of Angels Chapel at Set…
150 Years of Tradition at Saint Joseph Shrine in Detroit, Michigan
Guest Article by Ishmael Obinna Adibuah Last year marked the 150th anniversary of the Dedication of Saint Joseph Shrine in Detroit, Michigan. Since 1873, this church has been a home for those seeking to offer fitting
worship to God through the church’s perennial liturgical t…
Book Review: Turned Around - Replying to Common Objections Against the Traditional Latin Mass
Our good friend and unmissable liturgical scholar, Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, has produced yet another masterwork on the subject of the Classical Roman Rite. Entitled Turned Around (TAN Books, 2024), the subtitle reads: Replying to Common Objections Against the Traditional Lati…
Windows into Heavenly Light: The Iconography of Dr. Georgios Kordis
While we have not covered Byzantine-inspired iconography here a great deal to date, that is not because it is not appreciated. It is rather solely for the reason that our focus here at LAJ has been to attempt to help people in the Latin rite better know and appreciate their…
The Solemn Ceremony of Homage of Sovereigns at the Tomb of the Blessed Apostle Peter
For centuries on state visits to the Vatican Catholic sovereigns make their usual visit to the tomb of the Blessed Apostle Peter in the Vatican Basilica. For this rite they were historically accompanied by members of the Papal Court and the Archpriest of St. Peter's Bas…
Gebetsliga Vestments by Emblematik (Fatima, Portugal)
Having grown up in a prominent Austro-Hungarian parish (the Church of Saint Agnes in St. Paul, Minn.), I have always felt a special affinity for the work of the Gebetsliga (German for Prayer League) that serves as the official promoter of the cause of canonization for Bless…
The Lapus Lazuli Tabernacle of the Cathedral of Palermo, Sicily
Taken on their own, tabernacles are not something we have generally featured here to date, in part because in recent centuries these typically have manifested themselves as little more than a veiled door embedded within a reredos. In that particular regard, there isn't …
Travel Vestments by Ars Comacina
A rs Comacina in Italy have made available a set of travel vestments that illustrates the typical inexhaustible beauty of Italian know-how and design. These are lightweight, reversible in dual colors, and simple in design. In short, they are made for travel. The set folds ea…
Ciborium Veils by Manufactura Vesti Clero
The Polish ecclesiastical tailor Manufactura Vesti Clero produces beautiful veils for ciboria and the pyx. The only time of the year most lay folk in the pews see the veil is on Maundy Thursday when the Eucharist is processed to the altar of repose, with the utmost solemnit…
The Abbey Church of the Cistercian Abbey of Valloires, France
The Cistercian Abbey of Valloires, France is a twelfth century foundation that was substantially rebuilt within the eighteenth century after the original abbey had been subjected to ruin and looting, including the collapse of the original abbey church in the 1700's. As …
The Wrought Iron Choir Screen of the Cathedral of Sens
The cathedral of Sens, located in Burgundy within Eastern France, was one of the very first cathedrals to be built in the gothic style, with construction beginning in 1135 and continuing on for a long while thereafter. In fact, the See of Sens was that which was originally …
The New Completed Nativity of the Monastery of Norcia by Fabrizio Diomedi
Some of our readers may be aware of the history of the Benedictine monastery of Norcia , located in the birthplace of St. Benedict. That monastery, located over the house of Ss. Benedict and Scholastica, was tragically damaged by an earthquake a few years ago, but out of tha…
The Custom of Festive Hangings in Rome: the Chiesa Nuova
There is a long-standing custom in Italy and other places such as Malta to decorate churches on festive occasions with certain silken hangings (in Italian drappi ). They are hung on pilasters throughout the church in red and gold with elegant motifs. Such draperies are typic…
Rome's Most Unique Altar Rail at San Girolamo della CaritÃ
The church of San Girolamo della Carità is one of many hidden little gems in Rome, tucked in near the Palazzo Farnese and Campo de'Fiori. It is said to be the site of the fourth century home of the matron St. Paola who hosted St. Jerome while he lived there at her domus…
New Seamlessly Meets Old at Christ the King Chapel, Christendom College
In the midst of lockdowns and the like, it could be easy to neglect the fact that work, while significantly slowed down, was still ongoing for many liturgical craftsmen, not least of which Rugo Stone whose expertise was utilized in a project for Christendom College's Ch…
Antique Vestment Restorations by Atelier Sirio
Vestments, like anything else, are subject to become dirtied from dust, oils and other substances, but worse yet, whether through age or improper storage, they can also have more significant damages such as threading. When this happens, it is easy to think the vestment is …
Azulejos: Decorative Tile Work in the Portuguese Church of São Lourenço de Almancil
Azulejos are traditional ceramic tiles that are synonymous with Portugal. These beautiful and distinctive blue and white tiles can be seen in various venues throughout that country, not least of which Portugese churches such as the church of São Lourenço de Almancil. While …
Vestments for the Octave of the Nativity Designed by Daniel Mitsui
D aniel Mitsui's art and style will be familiar to many of our readers already. He has been active within the realm of Catholic art and illustration for as long as I can remember. That stated goal of his artistic approach is "to make art that is faithful to traditi…
Portable Papal Throne and Dais of Pope Innocent X
There are many different papal portable thrones that have been used over the centuries, each a part of the requisite rituals of papal life. This Italian-made Renaissance example dates from the mid-1600s, covered in a rich crimson silk velvet. Because of its softness, unique…
Spanish Style Vestment: the "Collarin"
Chasubles known as "guitar" chasubles are a time-honored style of vestment seen in Spain and her former colonies. Also seen in Spain is the neckpiece apparel for deacons called a "collarin." Both are prime examples of authentic "inculturation" …
What Sits Underneath the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome
In a previous article we detailed the evolution of the Lateran basilica and in that article we briefly touched upon the fact that, much like we detailed in our article on What Sits Underneath St. Peter's Basilica , there is much more to these sites than at first meets th…
A Vestment by Ars Comacina
Italian elegance from the fashion capital of the world, the former Duchy of Milan, made according to traditional methods in Como, Italy. The high quality of the rich fabric and patterned galloon catches the attention of all who see it. This silk brocade large cut pianeta wi…
The Collegiate Church of San Tommaso da Villanova at Castel Gandolfo
Near Rome, in the heart of the Castelli Romani, the mythical Castel Gandolfo is a place of Baroque architecture that has witnessed some of the most important simple Baroque structures of the Counter-Reformation period, including a papal palace and town church, one of a hand…
Romanitas: The Silk Damask Hangings of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
One of the Roman customs that gets a great deal of interest and attention is that of draping churches in red silk hangings for the most solemn of occasions. This particular custom is thought to be particularly "Roman" in its origins (possibly going back in some fa…
Venetian Vestment Work of the Nineteenth Century
This is a particularly fine example of vestment work coming from the nineteenth century. The set was manufactured in Venice, which of course has a very long and proud textile and vestment making tradition, and this particular example is as worthy of anything that was creat…
Ecclesiastical Design Studio: Jiang Huai Design of Malaysia
There is a wonderful vestment making studio in Southeast Asia that was founded about sixteen years ago called Jiang Huai Design -- they do a fine job creating very distinct works of liturgical art related to the sacred liturgy. Located in Malaysia, the studio offers a varie…
Variations On A Theme: Guadalupe Vestments by Sacra Domus Aurea
With it being the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, it seems like a good day to feature some of the impressive Guadalupe chasubles that have been produced in recent years by the vestment atelier of Sacra Domus Aurea .
Papal Throne Donated to Pius IX by the Savoy Family
In 1846 this enchanting portable papal throne was donated to Blessed Pius IX. Popes used this throne when they formally announced the creation of new cardinals at a Vatican Consistory, and also on other important occasions such as some gatherings of the College of Cardinals…
Late Gothic Altarpieces: The Royal Chapel of the Coronation of the Virgin Mary in the Czech Republic
Krivoklát Castle in the Czech Republic contains within it the Royal Chapel of the Coronation of the Virgin Mary, It is a quaint, intimate but impressive space. The castle itself was erected in the twelfth century for the kings of Bohemia. Nowadays the castle is a national h…
Before and After: St. Mary's Catholic Church in Aspen, Colorado
St. Mary's Catholic Church in Aspen, Colorado is a parish that seems have been kept, all things considered, remarkably well in tact. Mainly what is meant by this is that its high altar and side altars managed to escape the liturgical fads and fashions of the 1970's.…
The Sediari Pontifici of the Sedia Gestatoria
For centuries papal liturgies were enriched with the presence of the red-dressed sediari . These were the men designated to carry the pope on an ornate ceremonial chair known as the sedia gestatoria (or "gestatorial" chair in English).
The Saint Bede Studio in Australia: Purveyors of Fine Vestments
One of my favorite vestment ateliers is the Saint Bede Studio, based in Australia. The excellence and quality of craftsmanship and design of their creations inspires with elements of English nuance and detail. Over the years the Saint Bede Studio has vested priests, abbots,…
Introducing the Work of Ioana Belcea of Siena Workshop
Today I'm pleased to present a new liturgical artist to readers of Liturgical Arts Jounral. I speak of Ms. Ioana Belcea ., an artist based out of Princeton, New Jersey. Belcea works in a variety of historical mediums, such as mosaic work, frescoes and painted works gener…
The First Permanent Altar Facing the People in the United States
Archbishop John Gregory Murray (1877 - 1956), a native of Connecticut, became the Archbishop of St. Paul (Minnesota) in 1931. During his 24-year tenure he became a frequent visitor to the monks of St. John's Abbey in nearby Collegeville, Minnesota. In those years St. Jo…
The Beauty of Silver and Rose
Many years ago, we wrote an article on the beauty of the combination of gold vestments with silver vestments, and recently we also shared some information on the similar beauty of cloth of silver vestments. Well as part of researching the latter article, I came across a num…
A Selection of Violet Vestments from the Nineteenth Century French Tradition
Now that we are once again entering the season of Advent, a time which is characterized by its violet coloured vestments, it seemed apropos to use this opportunity to feature some of these vestments and use the opportunity to give specific focus to vestments coming out of t…
Gothic and Art Nouveau at St. Mary Magdalen's in Wandsworth, London
One of the 'modern' styles that gets far too little expression in sacred architecture and art in my estimation is Art Nouveau. Art Nouveau found its primary historical expression between the last decade of the nineteenth century and first decade of the twentieth. It…
In the Workshop with Hape Sculpture: The Emergence of a Statue of Mary, Help of Christians
There is something I personally find particularly fascinating about the process of woodcarving, particularly the carving of fully three dimensional sculptures. Perhaps it is that 'Michelangelian' notion of the entrapped statue emerging, as though from a cocoon, from…
Thanksgiving as a Catholic Feast, Not a Catholic First
Around this time of year American Catholics are repeatedly hit with a number of competing claims of the “First” Thanksgiving. We delight in putting forward Thanksgiving Masses offered by Catholic explorers and settlers as the “true” first Thanksgiving—thereby undercutting t…
Papal Flabella Donated by the Drexel Family
This set of flabellum was donated in 1902 to Pope Leo XIII by Lucy Wharton Drexel (1841-1912) of Philadelphia, widow of the prominent banker and philanthropist, Joseph Drexel. She was a convert to the Faith and a woman of high stature who belonged to one of the oldest and m…
An Impressively Complete Solemn Pontifical Set from 1767 (with the Arms of Clement XIII)
In the light of the great feast of Easter, I can think of no better time to share the following solemn pontifical set of vestments that is dated to 1767 and which bear the arms of Pope Clement XIII. This particular set of vestments presently reside in Padua and contains amo…
Reliquaries from Mussner G. Vincenzo Ars Sacra
There's something I always find appealing about anthropomorphic reliquaries, whether that be full figures, busts or other forms, and as such I was quite pleased to recently see some of Mussner G. Vincenzo Ars Sacra 's efforts in this regard. Those of you who who hav…
A Masterpiece of Gothic Revival Vestment Work by G.F. Bodley
Sometimes gothic revival vestment work gets a bad rap, though I am convinced that in great part this is due to the fact that most of what we tend to associate with gothic revival vestment work is what the religious supply companies pumped out en masse in the twentieth centu…
The Development of the Shape of the Eastern Phelonion (Chasuble) and Its Parallels to the Same in the Latin West
Within the Latin rite, at least the English speaking portion of it, there is a century old (and in my estimation, rather tiresome) debate around the shape of the chasuble. Of course, anyone who has paid attention to articles here or elsewhere will know that the chasuble ha…
Roman Tradition of the Funerary Epitaph
A time-honored custom in Rome is the funeral epitaph, poetic words written in memory of a deceased person, a funerary oration written in the supreme eloquence of the language of Cicero. It is fixed to the bier that the coffin sits atop for the funeral rites. The same is don…
Before and After: St. Anne's Church in Somerset, Wisconsin
Recently Conrad Schmitt Studios revealed a project they pursued at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Somerset, Wisconsin which we're happy to feature here today as part of our 'Before and After' series. The origins of the parish go back 150 years, having been f…
Three Chasubles of the Sixteenth Century
Today I thought we would take a quick look at three chasubles, each coming from the sixteenth century and each of them utilizing re-purposed medieval embroideries. This sort of thing was common at this time of course. In some instances the original medieval vestments were s…
The Chapel of Pope Clement XIII at the Papal Summer Villa of Castel Gandolfo
Recently I was privileged to visit the papal apartment at the papal summer villa at Castel Gandolfo. Just down the hallway from the papal bedroom is this chapel, called the Cappella di Papa Clemente XIII. It was refreshing to see the altar cards have not gone missing. The c…
Monsignor R.J. Schuler, PhD on the Elimination of Gregorian Chant
Below is a fascinating article written three years after the close of the Council. The author is the late Monsignor Richard Schuler, a professor of music at the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Minnesota. It gives a rare glimpse of the state of sacred liturgy in the years…
