This set of flabellum was donated in 1902 to Pope Leo XIII by Lucy Wharton Drexel (1841-1912) of Philadelphia, widow of the prominent banker and philanthropist, Joseph Drexel. She was a convert to the Faith and the a woman of high stature who belonged to one of the oldest a…
Papal Flabella Donated by the Drexel Family
This set of flabellum was donated in 1902 to Pope Leo XIII by Lucy Wharton Drexel (1841-1912) of Philadelphia, widow of the prominent banker and philanthropist, Joseph Drexel. She was a convert to the Faith and the a woman of high stature who belonged to one of the oldest a…
An Impressively Complete Solemn Pontifical Set from 1767 (with the Arms of Clement XIII)
In the light of the great feast of Easter, I can think of no better time to share the following solemn pontifical set of vestments that is dated to 1767 and which bear the arms of Pope Clement XIII. This particular set of vestments presently reside in Padua and contains amo…
Reliquaries from Mussner G. Vincenzo Ars Sacra
There's something I always find appealing about anthropomorphic reliquaries, whether that be full figures, busts or other forms, and as such I was quite pleased to recently see some of Mussner G. Vincenzo Ars Sacra 's efforts in this regard. Those of you who who hav…
A Masterpiece of Gothic Revival Vestment Work by G.F. Bodley
Sometimes gothic revival vestment work gets a bad rap, though I am convinced that in great part this is due to the fact that most of what we tend to associate with gothic revival vestment work is what the religious supply companies pumped out en masse in the twentieth centu…
The Development of the Shape of the Eastern Phelonion (Chasuble) and Its Parallels to the Same in the Latin West
Within the Latin rite, at least the English speaking portion of it, there is a century old (and in my estimation, rather tiresome) debate around the shape of the chasuble. Of course, anyone who has paid attention to articles here or elsewhere will know that the chasuble ha…
Roman Tradition of the Funerary Epitaph
A time-honored custom in Rome is the funeral epitaph, poetic words written in memory of a deceased person, a funerary oration written in the supreme eloquence of the language of Cicero. It is fixed to the bier that the coffin sits atop for the funeral rites. The same is don…
Before and After: St. Anne's Church in Somerset, Wisconsin
Recently Conrad Schmitt Studios revealed a project they pursued at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Somerset, Wisconsin which we're happy to feature here today as part of our 'Before and After' series. The origins of the parish go back 150 years, having been f…
Three Chasubles of the Sixteenth Century
Today I thought we would take a quick look at three chasubles, each coming from the sixteenth century and each of them utilizing re-purposed medieval embroideries. This sort of thing was common at this time of course. In some instances the original medieval vestments were s…
The Chapel of Pope Clement XIII at the Papal Summer Villa of Castel Gandolfo
Recently I was privileged to visit the papal apartment at the papal summer villa at Castel Gandolfo. Just down the hallway from the papal bedroom is this chapel, called the Cappella di Papa Clemente XIII. It was refreshing to see the altar cards have not gone missing. The c…
Monsignor R.J. Schuler, PhD on the Elimination of Gregorian Chant
Below is a fascinating article written three years after the close of the Council. The author is the late Monsignor Richard Schuler, a professor of music at the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul. Minnesota. It gives a rare glimpse of the state of sacred liturgy in the years…
Before and After: St. Ann's Catholic Church in Plattsburg, Missouri
In yet another installment of 'Before and After' we turn to a project undertaken by Conrad Schmitt Studios and others in collaboration with St. Ann's Catholic Church in Plattsburg, Missouri, a church that, from the outside, is rather quaint and unassuming, not p…
The 16th Century San Lorenzo Requiem Vestments Spotted in 19th Century Art
Seeing the painting of the Madrid painter, José Moreno Carbonero, which is entitled "The Conversion of the Duke of GandÃa" something seemed awfully familiar to me. The painting was done in 1884 and is found in the Museum of Prado who describe the scene as follows: …
Rediscovering the Elegance of Old Roman Chant: A Journey into the Ancient Tones of Gregorian Chant
Guest Article by Dr. Lorris Chevalier, Université de Bourgogne Rooted in the medieval traditions of the Catholic Church, this unique form of music before Gregorian chant encapsulates centuries of spiritual expression and cultural evolution. As we delve into the enchanting wo…
The Sixteenth Century Tabernacle of the Duomo of Milan by Pellegrino Tibaldi
One of the most striking features of the Duomo of Milan is the monumental tabernacle and its associated covering. Despite the very large proportions of this particular cathedral, which presents the worshipper and visitor with a variety of styles spanning the centuries, this…
A Festal Antependium Made for the Canonization of St. Charles Borromeo (1609-1610)
This spectacular altar frontal was made between 1609-10 specifically for the canonization of St. Charles Borromeo, one time Cardinal Archbishop of Milan. Gold and silver embroidery have been set onto a background of silk and originally -- prior to the Napoleonic era -- this…
The Solemn Ostentation of Relics on All Saints Day at FSSP in Urbe
Images and information courtesy of The Home Oratory . On the feast of All Saints in Rome a wonderful old tradition has been revived by the FSSP known as the Solenne Ostensione delle Reliquie ("Solemn Ostentation of the Relics"). This ceremony is carried out after M…
The Noble Beauty of Polychrome Marble Designs in Church Architecture - A Brief Visual Survey
We have spoken here before on more than one occasion about the beauty of polychrome marbles in ecclesiastical architecture. Rather than go over the topic again, today I thought we would just do a little virtual 'sight-seeing' as a kind of visual meditation on the pa…
Vestiges of the Papal Court: the Mazzieri Pontifici (Papal Mace-Bearers)
The mazzieri pontifici were protectors of the popes, who as mace bearers carried wrought-silver maces and swords at the service of the papal security detail. Their duty was to accompany solemn papal processions, a feast for the eyes, adding to the pageantry of the occasion.…
Before and After: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Newport News, Virginia
Today we are featuring a church renovation project that features the parish church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, located in Newport News, Virginia. Now if that name is familiar, it may be because it was one the church buildings discussed in Michael Rose's 2001 book, Ugly…
The Ciborium Magnum as Depicted in Medieval Art of East and West
In an article yesterday we looked at some of the historical arrangements of medieval Roman altars from prior to the mid-twentieth century. In the course of preparing that article, it got me to thinking about some of the medieval depictions that we can find within both the C…
A Survey of the Altar Arrangements Seen in Roman Basilicas Prior to the Later Twentieth Century
As one moves around and about in the various churches of Rome, one will find artefacts from different periods of history. Some of these artefacts are architectural, as in the case of the use of spolia (i.e. items from classical antiquity such as columns, basins and the like…
Mary, Queen of the Martyrs: A New Shrine in Florida Reveals America’s Forgotten Catholic Protomartyrs (Guest Article by Matthew G. Alderman)
A Guest Article by Matthew Alderman, KM KHS To an outsider, the Sunshine State seems a land with no history. Yet, it was in Florida where the first Mass on American soil was celebrated, by the chaplains of Ponce de Leon’s 1513 expedition. In 1565, in America’s oldest city,…
Episcopal Ring with Tourmaline Stone
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Each year there are various objets d'art related to the sacred liturgy that end up on auction blocks. Unfortunately, some of these are blessed objects that should have been better vetted and kept in the family. Occasionally these treasures give us a rare glimpse of the …
Neo-Classical and Baroque in Kansas: Harrison Design and the Campus of St. John Paul II Parish
H arrison Design is a large architectural firm with office locations in Washington, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Naples (Florida), Santa Barbara and St. Simons, George who offer a broad range of architectural design services, including the realm of sacred architecture. Recently th…
Paleochristian Revival Vestments in the Byzantine East
One my own favourite instantiations of contemporary liturgical art is the paleochristian revival style which took hold in the later nineteenth and first half of the twentieth century as modern archeology saw ancient Christian sites excavated, interest in Roman catacombs ren…
A Chasuble from Early Seventeenth Century Trent
This particular vestment comes form the first half of the seventeenth century (1600-1650) and is located in the diocesan museum of Trent -- the location of the well known Council of Trent. The most prominent figure found here, which is found on the back of the chasuble (and…
Other Modern: The Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, Prague
It is long overdue that we should return to some of our Other Modern considerations -- "other modern" referring to contemporary ecclesiastical styles that, while distinctly "modern," are also firmly rooted in a classic liturgical arts tradition. Today…
The Upper Half-Sleeves of the Zimarra
In the photo can be seen Alfred Cardinal Bengsch of Berlin in St. Peter's Square. The wind happens to have blown his tippet (shoulder-cape) up, revealing his false half-sleeves, a time-honored custom for the costume of prelates until the changes of 1969. The half-sleeves…
Watts and Co. 150th Anniversary Exhibition at All Saints Church, Jesus Lane, Cambridge
W atts and Co. was founded in the year 1874 in England by prominent gothic revivalists such as G.F. Bodley and Thomas Garner, producing textiles and other furnishings in the gothic revival style. It is, in short, synonymous with the gothic revival. Like any longstanding com…
Before and After: St. Edward Catholic Church in Athens, Texas
In another instalment of our 'Before and After' series, today we look at a project undertaken by Studio io at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Athens, Texas. The church building in question was originally a protestant church, though one can be forgiven for not re…
The Impressive Contemporary Stonework of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Knoxville, Tennessee
There is something to be said for material authenticity and stonework is no exception. That isn't to say that there isn't a place for illusionistic techniques like faux-marbling and the like, just as there is a place for trompe l'oeil -- an artistic technique ro…
The Canons of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
Following are photos of the canons of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Members are a group of senior priests in the Latin Patriarchate (as well as honorary members from elsewhere) who have been selected by the Patriarch for this honor and distinction. In these photos can be…
The Basilica dell'Incoronata Madre del Buon Consiglio in Naples
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One of the most interesting churches imaginable is the Basilica dell'Incoronata Madre del Buon Consiglio (in English, Basilica of the Crowned Mother of Good Counsel), a mesmerizing Neo-Baroque gem positioned north of Naples in the Capodimonte zone. This unique church ta…
New Classical Architecture: Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Virginia
Continuing on with some of our considerations of contemporary, traditional ecclesiastical architecture, today I turn your attention to a project executed by McCrery Architects , based out of Washington D.C., for a Catholic campus located in Virginia. McCrery sets the backgro…
A Preview of a Coming Architectural Project by Harrison Design
The website of Harrison Design features an interesting project which is due to begin construction in 2025 in Olathe, Kansas that I thought would be of interest to our readers. The project in question is for the comprehensive design of a school campus and corresponding chu…
Some Rare Examples of Gilt Leather Antependia (Altar Frontals)
Today I am pleased to share some examples of antependia which have been crafted out of coloured and gilt leather. These particular examples have been produced by the company Lutson Goudleder , a company which has been producing decorative gilt leather products for the past t…
Gold Embroidery by Antonio Roldán of Spain
The Spanish artist Antonio Roldán, based in Spain, has preserved the time-honored methods of embroidery with metallic threads. He is a prolific artist, making and repairing a plethora of designs on liturgical items including banners, canopies, veils, flags, and clothing for…
Classic Figurative Artist Eric Armusik
Eric Armusik is an American classic figurative artist, portrait painter, and art teacher based in Pennsylvania. In the American landscape of painters, he is an outstanding exponent of classicism. In some ways his paintings resemble the style of the Old Masters. Some of his …
Before and After: Holy Family Church in Buffalo, New York
S wiatek Studios is a firm based out of the state of New York and recently they shared a bit of their impressive work at the church of the Holy Family in Buffalo, New York. The project involved the restoration of the painted work within and around the apse in particular -- …
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…
