It is long overdue that we should return to some of our Other Modern considerations -- "other modern" referring to contemporary ecclesiastical styles that, while distinctly "modern," are also firmly rooted in a classic liturgical arts tradition. Today…
Other Modern: The Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, Prague
It is long overdue that we should return to some of our Other Modern considerations -- "other modern" referring to contemporary ecclesiastical styles that, while distinctly "modern," are also firmly rooted in a classic liturgical arts tradition. Today…
The Upper Half-Sleeves of the Zimarra
In the photo can be seen Alfred Cardinal Bengsch of Berlin in St. Peter's Square. The wind happens to have blown his tippet (shoulder-cape) up, revealing his false half-sleeves, a time-honored custom for the costume of prelates until the changes of 1969. The half-sleeves…
Watts and Co. 150th Anniversary Exhibition at All Saints Church, Jesus Lane, Cambridge
W atts and Co. was founded in the year 1874 in England by prominent gothic revivalists such as G.F. Bodley and Thomas Garner, producing textiles and other furnishings in the gothic revival style. It is, in short, synonymous with the gothic revival. Like any longstanding com…
Before and After: St. Edward Catholic Church in Athens, Texas
In another instalment of our 'Before and After' series, today we look at a project undertaken by Studio io at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Athens, Texas. The church building in question was originally a protestant church, though one can be forgiven for not re…
The Impressive Contemporary Stonework of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Knoxville, Tennessee
There is something to be said for material authenticity and stonework is no exception. That isn't to say that there isn't a place for illusionistic techniques like faux-marbling and the like, just as there is a place for trompe l'oeil -- an artistic technique ro…
The Canons of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
Following are photos of the canons of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Members are a group of senior priests in the Latin Patriarchate (as well as honorary members from elsewhere) who have been selected by the Patriarch for this honor and distinction. In these photos can be…
The Basilica dell'Incoronata Madre del Buon Consiglio in Naples
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One of the most interesting churches imaginable is the Basilica dell'Incoronata Madre del Buon Consiglio (in English, Basilica of the Crowned Mother of Good Counsel), a mesmerizing Neo-Baroque gem positioned north of Naples in the Capodimonte zone. This unique church ta…
New Classical Architecture: Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Virginia
Continuing on with some of our considerations of contemporary, traditional ecclesiastical architecture, today I turn your attention to a project executed by McCrery Architects , based out of Washington D.C., for a Catholic campus located in Virginia. McCrery sets the backgro…
A Preview of a Coming Architectural Project by Harrison Design
The website of Harrison Design features an interesting project which is due to begin construction in 2025 in Olathe, Kansas that I thought would be of interest to our readers. The project in question is for the comprehensive design of a school campus and corresponding chu…
Some Rare Examples of Gilt Leather Antependia (Altar Frontals)
Today I am pleased to share some examples of antependia which have been crafted out of coloured and gilt leather. These particular examples have been produced by the company Lutson Goudleder , a company which has been producing decorative gilt leather products for the past t…
Gold Embroidery by Antonio Roldán of Spain
The Spanish artist Antonio Roldán, based in Spain, has preserved the time-honored methods of embroidery with metallic threads. He is a prolific artist, making and repairing a plethora of designs on liturgical items including banners, canopies, veils, flags, and clothing for…
Classic Figurative Artist Eric Armusik
Eric Armusik is an American classic figurative artist, portrait painter, and art teacher based in Pennsylvania. In the American landscape of painters, he is an outstanding exponent of classicism. In some ways his paintings resemble the style of the Old Masters. Some of his …
Before and After: Holy Family Church in Buffalo, New York
S wiatek Studios is a firm based out of the state of New York and recently they shared a bit of their impressive work at the church of the Holy Family in Buffalo, New York. The project involved the restoration of the painted work within and around the apse in particular -- …
An Impressive Tabernacle and Candlesticks Hand Carved and Gilt by Spanish Craftsmen
The brotherhood of the Real y Muy Ilustre CofradÃa de Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno (the Royal and Most Illustrious Brotherhood of Our Father Jesus the Nazarene) recently unveiled a newly carved set of candlesticks, cross and tabernacle of particularly exquisite beauty and q…
Our Lady of the Buckeyes at Ohio State University's Newman Center
The St. Thomas More Newman Center situated at Ohio State University recently unveiled a new hand-carved, polychrome wood sculpture of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, known here affectionately as "Our Lady of the Buckeyes" (coming with reference to the school). King Richa…
The Cappa of the Canons of the Vatican Basilica
Readers sometimes ask for more information on cathedral canons. Photos are hard to come by for canons of the Patriarchal Basilicas of Rome. Here is an image of the Rt. Rev. Mons. Salvatore Natuccci (1871-1971), a canon of the Vatican Basilica and the last Treasurer of the A…
A Chasuble of Pope St. Pius X
A beautiful chasuble that was worn by Pius X recently sold online. It is made of ivory moiré silk with Venetian style galloons in a braided style. In excellent condition for a chasuble of this age, it dates from the early twentieth century. Attached is an authenticity card,…
Introducing Lily and Rose Vestments of Charlotte, North Carolina
It warms the heart to see so many capable up-and-coming Catholic artists creating vestments with cottage industry atelier shops making a comeback everywhere in peoples' homes. The historic-cultural heritage represented by this artistic industry displays a flowering of l…
The Historical Recreation of Fifteenth Century Cope Design by Atelier Sirio
An approach to sacred vestments that frequently finds a great deal of popular interest is when the design is focused on recreating an historical work and today's example. coming from Atelier Sirio is just such a work. The vestment in question is a cope which takes its d…
A Hand-Carved Home Altar by Mussner G. Vincenzo Ars Sacra
Today we are going to take a look at a unique home altar that was hand-carved by Mussner G. Vincenzo Ars Sacra , an atelier located in Ortisei, Italy. The work involved the collaboration of various craftsmen, ranging from the sculptors, to the painters and goldsmiths, all o…
The Kavass in Jeursalem
In Jerusalem and environs (Ottoman Palestine), the "kavass" or "consular attendant" is a common sight in many liturgical processions. In the following images from Easter Sunday in Jerusalem, they can be seen, adding their typical color and pageantry to t…
The Church of Theotokos Pammakaristos in Constantinople
Continuing on with our considerations of some of the (former) churches of the Eastern Roman Empire, especially those situated in the great city of Constantinople (modern day Istanbul), we turn out attention today to the Church of the Theotokos Pammakaristos. This particular…
Customs and Traditions: Citrus and Laurel Decorations in North-Eastern Sicily
It is always of interest to look into some of the local customs and traditions that grow up around the sacred liturgy in different parts of the world, particularly when they have ties to the local or regional culture of an area. In many ways it helps provide us with insight…
The Byzantine Cathedral of San Demetrio Megalomartire in Piana degli Albanesi, Sicily
A Guest Article by Gian Marco Talluto The first parish of Piana dei Greci was erected on August 30, 1488 by the archbishop of Monreale, Cardinal Juan de Borja of Mercu and Ayndingli to the Albanian exiles coming from the Balkan peninsula. Since 1784 the church was the seat …
The Relics of St. Helena, Empress, Mother of Constantine and Discoverer of the True Cross
With tomorrow being the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, it seems an apropos time to share the following images of the relics of St. Helena, Empress and mother of the Emperor Constantine, for it was she that is credited with having gone to the Holy Land to find va…
The Precious Mitres of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
Bishop Sheen wore various mitres during his long episcopal career. He gave most of them away before his death. I have been told some of his personal effects ended up with Mons. Edward T. O'Meara, who took over from Sheen in 1966 as the National Director of the Society f…
Manufactura Vesti Clero (Krakow, Poland)
The Polish ecclesiastical tailor Manufactura Vesti Clero has made a name for himself as a gifted vestment maker who offers a variety of other liturgical items including mitres, hand-embroidered armorial bearings, rochets, ornate palls/burses, ciborium veils, and more. The c…
Before and After: A Jesuit High School Chapel
A reader of LAJ recently sent in the following photos and information about an impressive restoration/renovation that took place at his former high school, a school which is run by the Jesuits. His comments:
Paleochristian Architecture: The Discovery of a 1500 Year Old Christian Church in Israel
Approximately ten years ago, the remnants of an ancient church located in Israel were excavated by the Israeli Antiquities Authority. The church, which is put at around 1500 years in age, is located near Moshav Aluma in the south of Israel. Frequently this church is descri…
The Ornamental Hood of the Mozzetta
The mozzetta of prelates today is a shoulder cape garment that until 1969 was also always tailored to have a small ornamental hood for cardinals and bishops. This miniature hood was a nod to the past, reminiscent of the days when the mozzetta had an actual hood that was lar…
