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…
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…
Knight Chaplains of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (in Latin, Ordo Equestris Sancti Sepulcri Hierosolymitani ), is an order of knighthood and recognized order of chivalry under the direct protection of the Holy See. According to its constitutions, the popes are the sove…
The Transformation of a Dining Hall into Our Lady Star of the Sea Chapel
S tudio io Design recently unveiled a project they were involved in which saw the repurposing of a former dining hall as a chapel at Our Lady's Healing Center in Seadrift, Texas. The project in question shows how a great deal can be accomplished with only a very little a…
New Ecclesiology, New Liturgy - Exploring The Rationale of Post-Conciliar Liturgists and Why They Changed Church Architecture
This article was originally published in the March 2024 issue of "Lettre à nos frères prêtres" under the title "L’Église de la Nouvelle Liturgie. The article is republished in English translation here with the kind permission of the author, Abbé Grégoire Celi…
The Padiglione
A question that has come in our direction on more than one occasion pertains to the drapery (frequently red in colour, though not always) that one sometimes sees suspended behind certain Italian altars, frequently topped a crown. Within Italy these are known as the padiglio…
