In the modern world, it can be difficult to imagine what life was like in previous centuries in times when science was less advanced. As a result people got away with murder -- quite literally. In instances of the wealthier and higher functionaries of society -- who were m…
Liturgica Obscura: The Praegustatio in Pontifical and Papal Masses (Pre-Tasting of the Bread and Wine)
In the modern world, it can be difficult to imagine what life was like in previous centuries in times when science was less advanced. As a result people got away with murder -- quite literally. In instances of the wealthier and higher functionaries of society -- who were m…
A Cope from Renaissance Florence (1575-1600)
Today I thought we would take yet another pass through Renaissance Florence by looking at a cope that was made in Florence in the sixteenth century, specifically sometime between 1575-1600. As was so often the case in the Renaissance, velvet was the popular fabric of choic…
The Resplendent St. Francis de Sales Oratory in St. Louis
St. Louis, known as the Rome of the West, has long been a focal point of intense Catholic life and culture. Steadfast generations have maintained a stronghold of Catholic identity here, with filial devotion to the Church and her sacred liturgy manifested in a deep Eucharist…
Custom Made Silks from Antico Opificio Serico (Caserta, Italy)
Italian textile art is known and respected worldwide. The art of fabric woven by expert craftsman with artisanal techniques is a beautiful thing that has been going on since 1789 in the Italian town of Caserta. Located just north of Naples, this place has long been known fo…
A Truncated Conical from Atelier Sirio - Perfect for Lent
A telier Sirio is an Italian vestment maker located in the north of Italy in Bergamo. One of the sets of designs that frequently capture my attention are their medieval inspired works in a form that I am going to call "semi-conical" or "truncated conical,"…
The Italo-Byzantine Cappella Palatina of the Royal Chapel of Palermo, Sicily
The Cappella Palatina (Palatine Chapel) is a stunning piece of Italo-Byzantine architecture situated Palermo, Sicily. It is situated in the former Royal Palace of Palermo, then seat of the kings of Sicily. The chapel might easily be mistaken for the Cathedral of Monreale , …
A Survey of 15th Century Italian Renaissance Sculptures of the Madonna
Talk of Madonnas of the Renaissance, especially Italian ones, and one almost instinctually turns one's thoughts to the realm of painting, especially to the works of artists like Botticelli, Raphael, Da Vinci and so on. However, another whole realm in this regard is that…
A Review of More Sacred Vestments in Sacred Art
Continuing on with our exploration of some of the sacred vestments that appear in sacred art, we've compiled a few more since our last article on this subject. In looking at vestments in art, one must always bear in mind that generally where antique art is concerned, th…
The Custom of Vesting the Patronal Statue at San Remigio-Fosdinovo in Tuscany
Each year at the parish of San Remigio in the village of Fosdinovo in Tuscany has two celebrations to commemorate the memory of their patron, St. Remigio (St. Remigius). January 13 is the main feast day and October 1st is the day that recalls the translation of his relics. …
Arte Ricami: Purveyors of Custom Vestments
We are living in an impressive age of liturgical Renaissance, when many lay people are mastering or remastering the art of artisanal vestment making. The Italian atelier Arte Ricami based in Tuscany has been around since 1932. They are a family owned and operated business lo…
Altar of Pius X at Madri Pie Convent in Rome
Many convents in the vicinity of the Vatican have various items given to them by popes. Popes receive a great many gifts and they usually pass these on to others in need. These once vibrant orders, before the collapse that coincided with Vatican II, were flush with young vo…
Portable Altars from St. Joseph's Apprentice
Many thanks to St. Jospeh's Apprentice for their wonderful work. Based in Idaho, this professional craftsman by the name of Rick Murphey makes the most beautiful custom portable altars available today. His work must be commended. I urge the faithful to consider gifting…
The Sixteenth Century Vestments of San Lorenzo de el Escorial
In follow-up to yesterday's article, I wanted to show our readers a set of sacred vestments that our friend Nicola de Grandi documented while visiting the museums of Spain; a set of vestments from San Lorenzo de el Escorial which are dated to 1569-1572. Regrettably, I ha…
The Pontifical Vestments of the Royal Embroiderer, Antonio Gómez de los RÃos
Between 1743-1756, the royal embroiderer Antonio Gómez de los RÃos created a full pontifical set of vestments for the Royal Chapel of the Palace of Madrid. These exquisite vestments contain a series of embroideries done in the effusive baroque style that were based on a num…
A Florentine Altar Cross from the Early 1500's
It has been my experience that liturgical objects such as altar crosses and candlesticks (not to mention thuribles) seldom get the attention they deserve where popular consideration of liturgical art is concerned. Perhaps in part this is due to the fact that they are locate…
The Marie Reine du Canada Pilgrimage in Quebec
Last year marks the 20th anniversary of the wonderful Marie Reine du Canada walking pilgrimage in Quebec. God bless and reward the dedicated and zealous organizers and volunteers who work hard every year to make this wonderful pilgrimage a reality. It is rare to have such a…
A Fifteenth Century English Cope
This particular cope which we are looking at today comes from fifteenth century England. It's design represents a more classically medieval approach than a renaissance one, perhaps indicative of the fact that there would be an inevitable delay in fashions and styles spr…
Sacred Music Released by St. Joseph's College Seminary (Diocese of Charlotte)
The wonderful St. Joseph's College Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina has released two of their own CDs with chants and motets. The recordings were made at the nearby church of St. Anne, with the seminarians singing along with the Daughters of the Virgin Mother, a lo…
The Terno of Cardinal Cisneros
Dated to the 1500's, the so-called "Terno of Cardinal Cisneros" is considered an important period example of the embroidery and textiles of the period. First a bit about the name. In speaking of the "Terno" of Cardinal Cisneros, I include that term f…
First Millennium Liturgical Architecture: The Synthronon
An element of early Christian (and especially Byzantine/Eastern Roman influenced) ecclesiastical architecture is the tiered, semi-circular structure located in the apsidal space of the sanctuary/presbytery know as the synthronon . Invariably questions arise about what it is …
