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…
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…
