The church of San Girolamo della Carità is one of many hidden little gems in Rome, tucked in near the Palazzo Farnese and Campo de'Fiori. It is said to be the site of the fourth century home of the matron St. Paola who hosted St. Jerome while he lived there at her domus…
Rome's Most Unique Altar Rail at San Girolamo della CaritÃ
The church of San Girolamo della Carità is one of many hidden little gems in Rome, tucked in near the Palazzo Farnese and Campo de'Fiori. It is said to be the site of the fourth century home of the matron St. Paola who hosted St. Jerome while he lived there at her domus…
New Seamlessly Meets Old at Christ the King Chapel, Christendom College
In the midst of lockdowns and the like, it could be easy to neglect the fact that work, while significantly slowed down, was still ongoing for many liturgical craftsmen, not least of which Rugo Stone whose expertise was utilized in a project for Christendom College's Ch…
Antique Vestment Restorations by Atelier Sirio
Vestments, like anything else, are subject to become dirtied from dust, oils and other substances, but worse yet, whether through age or improper storage, they can also have more significant damages such as threading. When this happens, it is easy to think the vestment is …
Azulejos: Decorative Tile Work in the Portuguese Church of São Lourenço de Almancil
Azulejos are traditional ceramic tiles that are synonymous with Portugal. These beautiful and distinctive blue and white tiles can be seen in various venues throughout that country, not least of which Portugese churches such as the church of São Lourenço de Almancil. While …
Vestments for the Octave of the Nativity Designed by Daniel Mitsui
D aniel Mitsui's art and style will be familiar to many of our readers already. He has been active within the realm of Catholic art and illustration for as long as I can remember. That stated goal of his artistic approach is "to make art that is faithful to traditi…
Portable Papal Throne and Dais of Pope Innocent X
There are many different papal portable thrones that have been used over the centuries, each a part of the requisite rituals of papal life. This Italian-made Renaissance example dates from the mid-1600s, covered in a rich crimson silk velvet. Because of its softness, unique…
Spanish Style Vestment: the "Collarin"
Chasubles known as "guitar" chasubles are a time-honored style of vestment seen in Spain and her former colonies. Also seen in Spain is the neckpiece apparel for deacons called a "collarin." Both are prime examples of authentic "inculturation" …
What Sits Underneath the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome
In a previous article we detailed the evolution of the Lateran basilica and in that article we briefly touched upon the fact that, much like we detailed in our article on What Sits Underneath St. Peter's Basilica , there is much more to these sites than at first meets th…
A Vestment by Ars Comacina
Italian elegance from the fashion capital of the world, the former Duchy of Milan, made according to traditional methods in Como, Italy. The high quality of the rich fabric and patterned galloon catches the attention of all who see it. This silk brocade large cut pianeta wi…
The Collegiate Church of San Tommaso da Villanova at Castel Gandolfo
Near Rome, in the heart of the Castelli Romani, the mythical Castel Gandolfo is a place of Baroque architecture that has witnessed some of the most important simple Baroque structures of the Counter-Reformation period, including a papal palace and town church, one of a hand…
Romanitas: The Silk Damask Hangings of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome
One of the Roman customs that gets a great deal of interest and attention is that of draping churches in red silk hangings for the most solemn of occasions. This particular custom is thought to be particularly "Roman" in its origins (possibly going back in some fa…
Venetian Vestment Work of the Nineteenth Century
This is a particularly fine example of vestment work coming from the nineteenth century. The set was manufactured in Venice, which of course has a very long and proud textile and vestment making tradition, and this particular example is as worthy of anything that was creat…
Ecclesiastical Design Studio: Jiang Huai Design of Malaysia
There is a wonderful vestment making studio in Southeast Asia that was founded about sixteen years ago called Jiang Huai Design -- they do a fine job creating very distinct works of liturgical art related to the sacred liturgy. Located in Malaysia, the studio offers a varie…
Variations On A Theme: Guadalupe Vestments by Sacra Domus Aurea
With it being the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, it seems like a good day to feature some of the impressive Guadalupe chasubles that have been produced in recent years by the vestment atelier of Sacra Domus Aurea .
Papal Throne Donated to Pius IX by the Savoy Family
In 1846 this enchanting portable papal throne was donated to Blessed Pius IX. Popes used this throne when they formally announced the creation of new cardinals at a Vatican Consistory, and also on other important occasions such as some gatherings of the College of Cardinals…
Late Gothic Altarpieces: The Royal Chapel of the Coronation of the Virgin Mary in the Czech Republic
Krivoklát Castle in the Czech Republic contains within it the Royal Chapel of the Coronation of the Virgin Mary, It is a quaint, intimate but impressive space. The castle itself was erected in the twelfth century for the kings of Bohemia. Nowadays the castle is a national h…
Before and After: St. Mary's Catholic Church in Aspen, Colorado
St. Mary's Catholic Church in Aspen, Colorado is a parish that seems have been kept, all things considered, remarkably well in tact. Mainly what is meant by this is that its high altar and side altars managed to escape the liturgical fads and fashions of the 1970's.…
The Sediari Pontifici of the Sedia Gestatoria
For centuries papal liturgies were enriched with the presence of the red-dressed sediari . These were the men designated to carry the pope on an ornate ceremonial chair known as the sedia gestatoria (or "gestatorial" chair in English).
The Saint Bede Studio in Australia: Purveyors of Fine Vestments
One of my favorite vestment ateliers is the Saint Bede Studio, based in Australia. The excellence and quality of craftsmanship and design of their creations inspires with elements of English nuance and detail. Over the years the Saint Bede Studio has vested priests, abbots,…
Introducing the Work of Ioana Belcea of Siena Workshop
Today I'm pleased to present a new liturgical artist to readers of Liturgical Arts Jounral. I speak of Ms. Ioana Belcea ., an artist based out of Princeton, New Jersey. Belcea works in a variety of historical mediums, such as mosaic work, frescoes and painted works gener…
The First Permanent Altar Facing the People in the United States
Archbishop John Gregory Murray (1877 - 1956), a native of Connecticut, became the Archbishop of St. Paul (Minnesota) in 1931. During his 24-year tenure he became a frequent visitor to the monks of St. John's Abbey in nearby Collegeville, Minnesota. In those years St. Jo…
The Beauty of Silver and Rose
Many years ago, we wrote an article on the beauty of the combination of gold vestments with silver vestments, and recently we also shared some information on the similar beauty of cloth of silver vestments. Well as part of researching the latter article, I came across a num…
