The Season of Lent 2026 : 8

In this Holy Season of Lent, we are pleased to present a set of vestments of simple dignity, made in the traditional Roman style. The vestments are constructed from a lighter shade of violet ecclesiastical brocade and fully-lined in a grey cloth. 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 simply by an outlining silver-grey galloon.

Silver ornament upon violet is a distinctive manner of ornamenting vestments for the Seasons of Advent and Lent and a little more subdued than the all-too-common use 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

The Season of Lent 2026 : 7

In this post we present a simple set of violet vestments ornamented with a column at the front and the back.  The columns are decorated with one of the Studio's unique braids Saint Dunstan in colours of violet, taup and white upon a red background.  This braid was specially developed to ornament violet and rose-coloured vestments. 

The braid is laid upon an orphrey panel formed from red dupion silk. 

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 red-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.  

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.

Click on the images 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

The Season of Lent 2026 : 6

In this post a set of vestments is presented in the Studio's nod to contemporary styles.  This style we call Saint Martin.  It is both long and wide and is especially designed to fold up beautifully when the arms of the celebrant are elevated (as is shewn in the adjacent image). 

Tasteful contemporary vestments are made by certain studios in Italy, France and Germany, but we also make them here in Australia at the Saint Bede Studio.  This set has a simple dignity and is made from high quality fabrics.

A violet broacade is lined in burgundy-coloured cloth and is ornamented with a contrasting brocade in colours of burgundy and old gold.  The ornament is very simple : a TAU in the front and a column at the back.  

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

The Season of Lent 2026 : 5

The vestments described in this post were commissioned some years ago by an esteemed customer of the Saint Bede Studio, from a Diocese in Canada.  Since then, we have made several similar sets.

Adjacent is pictured the set of vestments in the Gothic Revival style.

This elegant set of vestments was made from a violet-coloured ecclesiastical brocade and lined in Royal Blue taffeta.  The orphrey was formed from one of the Studio's unique braids, Saint Chad, augmented with a narrow braid in blue and gold.

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

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

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

Enquiries.

Information on placing an order.

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

AMDG

The Season of Lent 2026 : 4

During this Holy Season, the Studio is pleased to present these vestments, made from dupion silk and lined in a subtle lavender shade of taffeta. 

The orphrey of this chasuble is formed from one of the Saint Bede Studio's unique  braids called Rosa Antiqua.  The braid has been especially designed for use with Rose and Indigo-violet vestments.

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

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

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

Enquiries.

Information on placing an order.

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

AMDG

The Season of Lent 2026 : 3

In this post, the Saint Bede Studio is pleased to present this very rich set of dark violet vestments in the Gothic Revival style.  This particular variant of the Gothic chasuble we have named Saint Austin.  It is pointed at the front and the back and reaches to the elbows.

The vestments were made from a beautiful ecclesiastical brocade, woven in the United Kingdom.  Lined in a beautiful shade of deep rose-coloured taffeta, the vestments were ornamented with one of the Studio's unique braids.  This ornate and beautiful braid Saint George is derived from elements of the designs of AWN Pugin and is woven in burgundy and taup upon a red background.

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 : 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

The Season of Lent 2026 : 1

In this Holy Season of Lent, we are pleased to make a further presentation of a set of vestments in a distinctive decorative scheme.  The vestments are constructed from ecclesiastical brocade in a darker shade of violet.  

The braid used to ornament these vestments is called Saint Norbert, a new braid in the Studio's range of unique braids.  This orphrey braid, in colours of slate grey, black and white, was specifically designed for use with violet or black vestments.

These vestments are a variation on the Gothic Revival style, which we call Saint Austin.  The lining of these vestments is of taffeta in a slate-grey colour, a subdued blue.  Perhaps it may be noted that these Lenten vestments do not incorporate any trace of gold ornament.

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 : 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

The Liturgical Colours of Lent

What is the colour set down by the Church for Lent?  

The Church’s liturgical books cite the colour violaceus (a Latin word), which can be translated as violet or purple.  Unfortunately these alternate translations are used indiscriminately, even though they refer to two quite different colours.

In descriptive terms, violet is tinged with blue; purple is tinged with red.  

We know that the vesture of bishops is a colour we call Roman purple.   Is this the colour intended for sacred vestments in the Seasons of Lent (and Advent)? Some say yes, some say no. The practice throughout the world and in Rome itself has differed over the course of the last several centuries.

Let’s try to identify what is a suitable colour for Lenten vestments.  The Season of Lent is penitential and its vestments ought to be distinguished by being sombre. The purple of bishops, however, is intended to be a mark of their rank, and is derived from the use (by the ancient Romans) of purple robes to denote dignity, prestige and royalty. Consequently, Roman purple or fuchsia is not intended to be penitential.

Would the darker colour, then, violet (closer to indigo)  be correct?  Although the use of dark violet is now widespread,  its development for liturgical use dates from the 19th century.  Furthermore, such a colour was not used in Rome for sacred vestments until much more recently.

There is no correct colour, nor even shade of colour for Lenten violaceus.  But sombreness is the appropriate mood for the Season, at least in the Western Church.

AMDG.

In the Season of Advent 2025 : 5

As Advent draws to a close, the Saint Bede Studio is pleased to present this simple violet dalmatic. 

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

Although there are many different shades used for Lenten and Advent vestments (none of which has a claim to being the correct colour), nevertheless, this particular shade of violet is closer to what was used during the mediaeval period and until the beginning of the 20th century.  It is a subdued colour, but not dark, closer to the shade of the flowers violets. 

Instead of the ubiquitous treatment of gold ornament, these vestments are ornamented with galloons of charcoal and silver and are lined in taffeta of silver-grey. The dalmatics are ornamented in a modified form of the Roman manner.

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

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

In the Season of Advent 2025 : 4

As Advent continues, the Saint Bede Studio wishes to present this simple set of violet vestments.  It is part of our range of vestments, called Saint Anselm.

The vestments were made from silk in a lighter shade of violet and ornamented with a column, front and back.  The ornament was formed from silver dupion silk and one of the Studio's unique braids Saint Edmund (based on a design of AWN Pugin).

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

The chasuble is unlined, but faced at the neckline, helping it to sit well and not crumple.  

Click on the images for an enlarged view. 

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

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

In the Season of Advent 2025 : 3

In this Holy Season of Advent, the Studio is pleased to present a further set of violet vestments.

These vestments were made from an English ecclesiastical brocade, in a rich shade of violet and lined with a taffeta red in colour. The vestments were ornamented in the Roman manner with the crimson red damask, outlined with a galloon in colours of burgundy and grey and a narrow galloon of the same colours.

This set is a modern interpretation of the chasubles illustrated in various depictions of Saint Philip.  Although ornamented in the Roman manner, this is an earlier and more traditional form of "the Roman chasuble" being both wider and longer. 

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

Click on the images for an enlarged view. 

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

Enquiries.

Information on placing an order.

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

AMDG 

In the Season of Advent 2025 : 2

In this Season of Advent, the Saint Bede Studio is pleased to present this set of vestments.

The vestments were made from an ecclesiastical brocade in a deep shade of violet.  A deep, narrow chevron formed from Peacock blue brocade was framed with a galloon comprised of knotwork in black upon a taup background.  This formed the chasuble ornament, front and back.  The vestments were fully lined in a lovely teal-blue taffeta. 

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

These vestments are in the Studio's Saint Cuthbert form which is ample, but carefully shaped to avoid falling upon the wearer like a blanket.

Please click on the images for an enlarged view.

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

Enquiries.

Information on placing an order.

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

AMDG

In the Season of Advent 2025

During this holy Season of Advent, the Saint Bede Studio is pleased to present a set of violet vestments.  

This distinctive set of vestments was made from silk dupion in a lighter hue of violet; it was lined with a taffeta in a dark shade of purple.  The colour of the vestment inclines towards blue; but it is distinctly violet, as distinct from purple or blue.

The chasuble is in the style we call Saint Cuthbert,  being a contemporary version of a mediaeval chasuble.  The chasuble is very ample, being both wide and long, and is ornamented with a narrow braid in the familiar "Y" arrangement.  

The braid ornamenting these vestments is purple and ivory, upon a black base.  It is complemented by a narrow galloon in a lighter shade.

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

Click on the images for an enlarged view. 

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

Enquiries.

Information on placing an order.

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

AMDG 

Vestments for Offices of the Dead

It is no secret that in many Catholic dioceses, there is an unease about wearing black vestments at funerals, despite what is set down in the General Instructions of the Roman Missal.  Frequently, there are in place outright prohibitions on the use of black vestments. 

This being the case, some years ago the Studio prepared a design for a set of vestments for use at funeral rites by those priests who would prefer not to use white vestments, but are not in a position to wear black.  Adjacent is an image of these vestments, which we call Lux Aeterna.

The vestments are very simple and deliberately so.  A subdued, but not dark shade of violet fabric has been used, avoiding the purple which is associated with Lent.  

The chasuble is ornamented with a column at the front and at the back.  This column is formed from two of the Studio's unique braids, both in the Gothic Revival style and in colours of black and platinum / grey.

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 : 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

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.  

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 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 : 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

Vestments for Lent 2025 : 8

In this Holy Season of Lent, we are pleased to make a further presentation of a set of vestments in a distinctive decorative scheme.  The vestments are constructed from ecclesiastical brocade in a darker shade of violet.  

The braid used to ornament these vestments is called Saint Norbert, a new braid in the Studio's range of unique braids.  This orphrey braid, in colours of slate grey, black and white, was specifically designed for use with violet or black vestments.

These vestments are a variation on the Gothic Revival style, which we call Saint Austin.  The lining of these vestments is of taffeta in a slate-grey colour, a subdued blue.  Perhaps it may be noted that these Lenten vestments do not incorporate any trace of gold ornament.

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 : 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

Vestments for Lent 2025 : 7

In this Holy Season of Lent, we are pleased to present a set of vestments in a distinctive decorative scheme.  The vestments are constructed from a lighter shade of violet silk.  

The braid used to ornament these vestments is called Saint Norbert, being one of the Studio's unique braids and shewn for the first time in this post.  This orphrey braid, in colour of slate grey, black and white, was specifically designed for use with violet or black vestments.

These vestments are a variation on the Gothic Revival style, being more ample, and which we call Saint Giles.

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

Vestments for Lent 2025 : 6

In this Holy Season of Lent, we are pleased to present a set of vestments in a distinctive decorative scheme.  The vestments are constructed from a deeper shade of violet ecclesiastical brocade and fully-lined with Royal Blue taffeta.  

The braid used to ornament these vestments is called Saint Chad, being one of the Studio's unique braids and based directly on the designs of AWN Pugin.

These vestments are a variation on 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 images 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

Vestments in the Season of Lent 2025 : 4

In this Holy Season of Lent, the Saint Bede Studio is pleased to present this set of violet vestments.  

This dignified set of vestments is in the Gothic style, a particular variant we call Saint Austin.  The chasuble is pointed at the front and the back. 

The vestments were made from an ecclesiastical brocade, woven in the United Kingdom.  Lined in a shade of crimson-red taffeta, the vestments were ornamented with one of the Studio's unique braids.  This simple but striking braid named Saint Giles we have used with great success in all the liturgical colours (except Rose).

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

 Click on the images for an enlarged view.

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

Enquiries.

Information on placing an order.

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

AMDG  

Vestments in the Lenten Season 2025 : 2

At the beginning of Lent, the Saint Bede Studio is pleased to present this set of vestments.  

This very rich set of dark violet vestments is in the Gothic Revival style, but it is a particular variant of the Gothic chasuble we call Saint Austin.

It is pointed at the front and the back and reaches to the elbows.

The vestments were made from a beautiful ecclesiastical brocade, woven in the United Kingdom.  Lined in a beautiful shade of deep rose-coloured taffeta, the vestments were ornamented with one of the Studio's unique braids.  This ornate and beautiful braid Saint George is derived from elements of the designs of AWN Pugin and is woven in burgundy and platinum upon a red background.

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

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

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

Enquiries.

Information on placing an order.

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

AMDG