There is a custom for cardinals resident in Rome to have a throne room in their home. This is for the formal reception of guests and to receive the Roman Pontiff, if he chooses to call upon them. For this reason there is always included a chair reserved only for the pope.
Romanitas: The Reception Room of a Cardinal in Rome
There is a custom for cardinals resident in Rome to have a throne room in their home. This is for the formal reception of guests and to receive the Roman Pontiff, if he chooses to call upon them. For this reason there is always included a chair reserved only for the pope.
Recent Works by Murals by Jericho at St. Mark's Church in Argyle, Texas
M urals by Jericho is based out of Peoria, Illinois. The firm is operated by artists Andrew Hattermann and Robert Hill and while mural work is one of their primary skillsets, as evidenced by their company name, they also provide other liturgical design and consulting service…
Restorations at the Church of St. Aloysius in Oxford (The Oxford Oratory)
Awhile ago we gave a little view of some updates made to one of the chapels dedicated to the Sacred Heart at the Church of St. Aloysius in Oxford -- better known simply as the Oxford Oratory -- which, since the 1990's, has been under the care of the Oratorians, but ther…
A Brief Survey of Some of the Extant Mosaics of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople
The history of the great church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (modern day Istanbul) is a complex and convoluted one -- even before the Ottoman conquest of the city. The original church on this site was founded in A.D. 360 by Constantine, followed by a second Theodosian …
Green Needn't Mean 'Ordinary'
Green is the liturgical colour associated with either the "time after Pentecost" (according to the traditional Roman rite) or the "tempus per annum" / "ordinary time" (in the modern liturgy of Paul VI), but while green represents that 'defa…
The Bussolante of the Papal Court
For generations papal liturgies were enriched with the presence of the bussolanti who walked in the papal processions. Images in color are rare of the bussolante courtiers (plural bussolanti) in their pontifical Spanish dress from the time of Philip II. They were attendants…
Newman's University Church in Dublin
One of my favorite travel memories is arriving in Dublin for Holy Week services in April and racing through the tulips of St. Stephen's Green to visit Newman's University Church in Dublin, built in Roman Basilica style. It is a storied church that Bishop Sheen was f…
The Italo-Byzantine Domes of Venice
One of the most distinctive visual characteristics of St. Mark's Basilica in Venice are its five impressive domes. Keen observers of architecture will note that their form is rather distinctive as they are no the usual 'hemispherical' or oval/egg-shaped domes t…
A 'Tridentine' Altar From Prior to the Council of Trent
The Council of Trent (1545-1563) is known for many things. It's doctrinal clarity, the publication of a catechism, it also ushered in a new era of liturgical ordering that would see a shift away from medieval and Renaissance models emphasizing (in response to protestant…
New Thurible Unveiled by Heritage Liturgical
Our good friend Enzo Selvaggi of Heritage Liturgical unveiled a new thurible/censer that was custom made in Spain. The artist was Emilio Leon of Cordoba, who is reviving time-honored artigianale methods of silver smithing. The details and truly remarkable, as is the size an…
Corpus Christi Canopy Available from Haftina Atelier in Poland
It is still difficult to find companies in North America that make old-style Corpus Christi processional canopies or that offer the decorative poles. In countries like Poland and Portugal, these items are still thankfully made and are available for purchase. This beautiful …
Three Marian Themed Vestments for the Feast of the Assumption
As today is the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I thought we'd take a quick look at a few Marian or specifically Assumption themed vestments spanning three different centuries. In seeing these examples, you will not only be treated to a 'Marian m…
Churches of France: Église Saint-Eustache in Paris
One of my favourite churches in Paris, France is the Église Saint-Eustache which is the second largest church in the city after the cathedral of Notre Dame itself. The church is dedicated to St. Eustache of Macon, a third century Roman martyr, hunter and military leader.
The Ancient Roman Origins of Popular Vestment Designs from the 17th, 18th and 19th Century
One of the popular design motifs found in vestment design (not to mention other areas of ecclesiastical art and architecture) is that which shows vegetal motifs in scrolling, winding patterns (called "volutes"). Often these designs include acanthus leaves and flow…
The Trinity Dome by St. Jude Liturgical Arts Studio
Mosaics are something we frequently associate with the ancient basilicas of Rome and the like, but the tradition of mosaics extends well beyond the confines of Europe and, fortunately, well into the new world and beyond.
The Restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris: the New Iconic Spire is Revealed
The restoration work on Notre-Dame in Paris continues, thankfully in the footprint of historic Gothic splendor. In the month of February, nearly five years after the fire, the newly created spire has been unveiled. This is the third spire in the history of Notre-Dame.
Echoes of the Papal Court: the Foriere Maggiore of the Sacred Apostolic Palaces
In the photo here are three lay members of the now vanquished Papal Court, Marchese don Giulio Sachetti, the Foriere Maggiore (who passed in 2010), Principe Massimo, the Sopraintendente Generale delle Poste, and Marchese Giacomo Serlupi-Crescenzi, the Cavallerizzo Maggiore…
Introducing the Studio of St. Luke
Recently I came across the Studio of St. Luke owned and operated by Rave A. Bandong Mr. Bandong offers hand-painted paschal candlesticks rooted in the classical tradition while also pursuing other design commissions. To introduce you to this young Catholic artist, we'l…
The Why and Wherefore of the Absence of Gothic Architecture in Rome
If you go to Rome, one will find a plethora of paleochristian architectural elements, Romanesque, Renaissance, neoclassical and baroque, however what one will find rather little of is gothic. This might seem strange especially to the inhabitants of the English-speaking worl…
Examples of Rare Cloth of Silver Vestments
Recently we shared an article on the topic of "cloth of gold" which is, of course, threading that has been wrapped in a very thin, gold metal. However, the lesser known and seen cousin of cloth of gold is cloth of silver. Cloth of silver is exactly like its cloth …
The Palazzo Massimo Chapel in Rome
The House of Massimo is one of the most renowned families in Rome, a historic aristocratic lineage, the oldest noble family in Europe. Members of the so-called "black nobility," the family traces its lineage back to the Republican Period of Ancient Rome. Their ho…
Spanish Sculptor Edwin Gonzalez Solis
Our good friend Enzo Selvaggi of Heritage Liturgical has drawn our attention to the Spanish artist Edwin Gonzalez Solis, based in Córdoba. Edwin creates statues of wood and other materials that are then usually painted, in the realistic style of classical realism. One of hi…
