Saturday, 15 February 2025

The Season Per Annum 2025 : 6

 

Saint Philip Neri vestments

In this post is depicted a section of a set of vestments in a lovely shade of green.

These vestments are in the Studio's Saint Philip Neri style, which is the product of years of research into historical vestments and refinement of dimensions for comfortable use.  The Studio revived this more ample 16th century style of the Roman chasuble in 2007 and since then we have made many of them.  Beware of poorly-designed imitations!

The work of the Saint Bede Studio is distinctive for its artistic qualities and the pains taken with every detail, such as the alignment of ornaments.  Even a restrained set of vestments like this is striking for its combination of colours and fine workmanship.

In this instance, the choice was made to use a galloon in colours of black and gold to ornament the vestments : at first glance, an odd choice.  At close range, the contrast is distinctive; at a distance, black and gold merge with the surrounding green to produce an harmonious effect.

 
Click on the image for an enlarged view.

The Saint Bede Studio : vestments made by Catholics for Catholics.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com



Please note that posts on this blog are set-up for optimal viewing via a web-browser, not via a mobile phone.

AMDG


Friday, 14 February 2025

Anglophone Missals of the << Interim Rite >> 1964 - 1969 : 1

More than sixty years ago, in 1964, as a consequence of the deliberations of the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council, culminating in the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium, changes began to be introduced into the celebration of the Rite of the Roman Mass. New liturgical books which reflected these alterations were required.

We hope to examine on this blog the various iterations of the Roman Missal which were published between 1964 and 1969. These missals are often referred to as "Interim Rite" missals. Of necessity, these posts must be confined to Anglophone Interim Rite Missals.

The first of these Missals for the English-speaking world was published by the Catholic Book Publishing Company (New York) after May 1964, for the use of the Dioceses of the United States of America. Below are photographs from that Missal.

Please click on the images for an enlarged view.

The Missal handsomely-bound in red morocco leather and gold stamped.



The titlepage of the 1964 Missal.



On the reverse of the title-page, the Imprimatur of Cardinal Spellman of New York is shewn.
It also makes reference to the translation of the Scriptures which the Bishops determined for use.

In publishing this Missal, the Bishops Conference of the United States obtained a decree from the now infamous Consilium, signed by Cardinal Lercaro and Father Annibale Bugnini CM and dated 1st May 1964. The decree defined the specific changes to the celebration of the Mass which were permitted. The English language was permitted to be included in the following parts of the Mass (shewn in the photograph below) : the proclamation of the Epistle and Gospel; in the chants of the Ordinary of the Mass, namely the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei; in the Lord's Prayer; in the formula Ecce Agnus Dei before the Communion of the Faithful; in the chants of the Proper of the Mass, namely the Introit, Gradual etc., Offertorium and Communio; in acclamations, Greetings and Dialogues between the celebrant and the faithful. Lastly in the "Common Prayer" or prayers of the Faithful.


First part of the decree of the "Consilium" : May 1964.


This Missal, however, is a curiosity: it was published before the decisions regarding revisions to the rite of Mass were published at the beginning of 1965. Consequently, ritually it contains no changes from the celebration of Mass according to the 1962 typical edition of the Missale Romanum. All it admits of is the inclusion of the English language. It permits English for the use of the "Common Prayer" (General Intercessions), but no reference to these prayers is made in the rubrics of the Order of Mass. But one thing worthy of note : where these vernacular admissions are printed, no alternative in Latin is shewn. It seems that when the Consilium used the words in its decree " Linguam anglicanam adhibere licet ", it was more a requirement than a permission.


The first page of the Proper of the Seasons
shewing the Introit and Epistle in English,
but the Collect still entirely in Latin.

The next photographs are a selection of the pages of the Order of Mass.


The Prayers at the foot of the Altar : still entirely in Latin.


Pages shewing the Kyrie and Gloria, given only in English.
Compare the translation with the present translation for the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite.


One of the prefaces :
The Preface itself and its introductory dialogue are entirely in Latin;
the Sanctus given only in English.


Pages shewing the Communion Rite :
The Lord's Prayer and Agnus Dei given in English,
everything else in Latin.

The concluding prayers of the Mass remain unaltered
from the 1962 edition of the Missale Romanum and all its predecessors.

Pages shewing the Rite of Burial, including English for chants and orations,
but the antiphon remaining in Latin with its Gregorian notation.


Wednesday, 12 February 2025

The Season Per Annum 2025 : 5

Green vestments
In this post is shewn a simple set of green vestments orna-mented with a column at the front and the back.  The columns are decorated with one of the Studio's unique braids Sancte Deus in colours of Royal blue and ivory upon a green background.  

This set of vestments is in the style we have called Saint Anselm; it is not elaborate, but neither is it just thrown-together.  It is well-designed and of dignified appearance.  Note that the column is made from a green-coloured dupion silk, which complements the colour of the braid.  We also find that the column is not of exaggerated width, but of substantial appearance.  The shape of the neckline, coming to a shallow "V" at the front, but rounded at the back is elegant but sturdy and lacking the awful fold over collars which are all-too-frequently attached to chasubles.

There is much to be said for vestments of simple dignity.  These vestments are well-made and will be serviceable for a number of years if treated respectfully.


The Saint Bede Studio

The vestments of the Saint Bede Studio are beautiful in design, sound in construction and distinctive in appearance.


Click on the image for an enlarged view.


The Saint Bede Studio : vestments made by Catholics for Catholics.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com


Information on placing an order.



Please note that posts on this blog are set-up for optimal viewing via a web-browser, not via a mobile phone.

AMDG

Monday, 10 February 2025

What range of vestments does a young priest need?

The Saint Bede Studio is often asked what a newly-ordained priest needs in the way of vestments, so I present these recommendations, based on years of experience and observation.  

This is the first post.

The Saint Bede Studio


Ideally, of course, a young priest would own a set of vestments in the Liturgical colours of white, green, red and violet.  Every priest ought to have a set available in these colours.  

He needs a chasuble, stole and chalice veil.  Whatever about liturgical requirements or permissions, it is unseemly to dispense with the chalice veil for the celebration of Mass.

Some additional points :

If it can be afforded, a priest should have two sets in different shades of the liturgical colours.  A congregation often appreciates seeing some variety in the vestments that are used.  Remember, it is the congregation which is looking at the vestments during Mass, not the priest wearing them.


The Saint Bede Studio



The vestments of the Saint Bede Studio are beautiful in design, sound in construction and distinctive in appearance.


Click on the image for an enlarged view.

The Saint Bede Studio : vestments made by Catholics for Catholics.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com


Information on placing an order.



Please note that posts on this blog are set-up for optimal viewing via a web-browser, not via a mobile phone.

AMDG

Wednesday, 5 February 2025

The Season Per Annum 2025 : 4

The Saint Bede Studio
In this post is depicted a section of a Gothic chasuble made from a lovely shade of green moirĂ© taffeta and ornamented with the Studio's English Rose orphrey braid.  This braid is in the colours of green, red and white upon a black background.  

This distinctive colour scheme is notable for the absence of gold.  The vestments are not elaborate, but well-made and will be serviceable for many years.  

There is much to be said in favour of vestments of simple dignity, eschewing the principle "too much is never enough."


The vestments of the Saint Bede Studio are beautiful in design, sound in construction and distinctive in appearance.


Click on the image for an enlarged view.


The Saint Bede Studio : vestments made by Catholics for Catholics.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com


Information on placing an order.



Please note that posts on this blog are set-up for optimal viewing via a web-browser, not via a mobile phone.

AMDG

Monday, 3 February 2025

Studio Facebook Page


The Saint Bede Studio

 
Did you know that the Saint Bede Studio has its own FACEBOOK page?

You may find it at this link.

AMDG

Friday, 31 January 2025

Attention to detail : Fringing

 

Fringes

In this post are depicted stoles from two sets vestments, one made from ivory silk damask, and the other green brocade.

We draw your attention to the elegant fringes, which harmonise with the colour of the vestments, the lining and the ornamentation.  

At the Saint Bede Studio, we take great care to ornament our stoles and maniples with attractive and substantial fringes : not just gold for every liturgical colour!  


Fringes


The Saint Bede Studio : vestments made by Catholics for Catholics.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com


Please note that posts on this blog are set-up for optimal viewing via a web-browser, not via a mobile phone.

AMDG

Monday, 27 January 2025

The Season Per Annum 2025 : 3

Green vestments
In this post is illustrated a set of green vestments in the Gothic Revival style.

This particular set of vestments is made from a rich shade of green English brocade.  

The Gothic-style ornament is formed from the Studio's Saint Edmund orphrey braid, which is based on braid designed by the Gothic Revival luminary AWN Pugin.  A narrow galloon finishes-off the vestments nicely.  The braid features the << IHS >> monogram, set amongst a Cross.

These vestments are in one of our Gothic Revival styles which we call Saint Benet.  The chasuble and accessories were lined in a muted shade of gold taffeta.

The vestments of the Saint Bede Studio are beautiful in design, sound in construction and distinctive in appearance.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.


The Saint Bede Studio


The Saint Bede Studio : vestments made by Catholics for Catholics.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com


Information on placing an order.



Please note that posts on this blog are set-up for optimal viewing via a web-browser, not via a mobile phone.

AMDG

Friday, 24 January 2025

Festal Vestments in the 16th century style

The Saint Bede Studio
In this post, we are pleased to present a set of vestments made in the traditional Roman style. The vestments are made from an Italian lampas in shades of ivory and muted gold and fully-lined in a muted shade of red taffeta. 

The chasuble in this post is ornamented in the well-known Roman style, a TAU at the front and a column at the back, formed by a silk damask in colours of old Rose and muted gold and an outlining galloon in two shades of gold.

These vestments are in the Studio's Saint Philip Neri style, which is the product of years of research into historical vestments and refinement of dimensions for comfortable use.  The Studio revived this more ample 16th century style of the Roman chasuble in 2007 and since then we have made many of them.  Beware of poorly-made imitations!

The vestments of the Saint Bede Studio are beautiful in design, sound in construction and distinctive in appearance.

Click on the image for an enlarged view.

The Saint Bede Studio : vestments made by Catholics for Catholics.


Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com


Information on placing an order.


Please note that posts on this blog are set-up for optimal viewing via a web-browser, not via a mobile phone.

AMDG

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

The Season Per Annum 2025 : 2

In this post, we are pleased to present a distinctive set of vestments in the primitive style sometimes referred to as conical. If any chasuble of the Roman Rite is rightfully to be referred to as "Traditional" then the ancientness of this form earns that designation, since it was used for the Eucharistic celebration from the first centuries of the Church and for fully a thousand years thereafter. The ancient form of the chasuble was common in the East and the West, but the cut of the chasuble diverged at some point.

The Saint Bede Studio


The primitive style of chasuble is shaped like a bell and when the arms of the wearer are by his side, it envelops the body from the neck to the shins.  But when the arms of the wearer are extended, the conical chasuble folds up from the bottom, as the image above clearly shews.

A conical chasuble, however, may be worn in quite different ways and in the manner illustrated in the adjacent photograph, it is obvious how the Byzantine chasuble or phelonion is related to the ancient chasuble, common to East and West.

These vestments were made from a rustic silk, with a linen-like weave and in a  vibrant shade of green.  The ornament of this chasuble is very simple.  The chasuble is unlined, but because of the weight of the silk, the vestment has good drapery and is not in the least flimsy. 

The vestments of the Saint Bede Studio are beautiful in design, sound in construction and distinctive in appearance.

Click on the image for an enlarged view.

The Saint Bede Studio : vestments made by Catholics for Catholics.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com


Information on placing an order.


Please note that posts on this blog are set-up for optimal viewing via a web-browser, not via a mobile phone.

AMDG