The "Borromeon" style of chasuble

Readers of this blog will be familiar with the directions set down by S' Charles Borromeo in the late 16th century for the seemly dimensions of the chasuble.

The Saint Bede Studio has been commissioned by a young priest of the Archdiocese of New York USA to make a Solemn Mass set in the "Borromeon" style. The attached photograph shews the completed chasuble, made from a silk damask of silver and straw colour and ornamented with a silk damask of rose and old gold. The photograph does not nearly convey the beauty of these fabrics.  The chasuble is quite long and reaches almost to the wrist, as S' Charles directed. The typical Roman arrangement of ornament for the chasuble was used for this vestment.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Click on the picture for a larger view.

The S' Philip Neri chasuble: for the Ordinary & Extraordinary Forms

It is not so often that I have an opportunity to present photographs of one of my chasubles being used, for the sacred purpose that was intended, as opposed to being "modelled".  I am pleased to attach some photographs taken today at S' Aloysius' Church, Caulfield North (Archdiocese of Melbourne).  They depict Fr Gerard Boyce, a visitor from the Diocese of Hamilton (New Zealand) on the occasion of his first offering Mass according to the Extraordinary Form.  Assisting him is the Rector of the church, Father Glen Tattersall.

The vestments being used by Father Boyce belong to the Caulfield church, and were made by the Saint Bede Studio in a very simple variant on the "S' Philip Neri" style,  for the convenience of a priest resident in the Parish.  The vestments are quite lightweight, although fully-lined. 

Click on each image for an enlarged view.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Photography by Dr Chris Steward.

A Moment of Great Joy

Today, Australia will receive her first saint.  On Sunday evening (Australian time),  Pope Benedict will canonise Mother Mary of the Cross (MacKillop) along with five others of the Blessed.  

This is a day of immense pride for the Australian Catholic Church.  We look to Mother Mary of the Cross at a time when the Church in Australia falters amidst secularism and atheism.

Read about the life of Mother Mary of the Cross here.

Saint Mary of the Cross, pray for us!

The Lion and the Cardinal

I was very honoured to be asked by the US-based Catholic artist, Daniel Mitsui, to be interviewed for his well-known website The Lion and the Cardinal.

The interview can be read here.

Vestments for the Season "Per Annum"

Father Mitchell Beachey of Quebec, Canada, a returning customer, commissioned the Studio to prepare a set of green vestments for the Season Per Annum. Father Beachey chose to have the set prepared in the "Philip Neri" style. The vestments were made of a green damask, ornamented in the Roman style with a narrow braid forming the outline of the orphrey.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com


Click on the picture for an enlarged view.

Conical vestments

Recently, the Saint Bede Studio completed a conical chasuble for a priest at the Pontifical North American College.  Made from a green and black brocade, the chasuble is fully-lined in red cotton and ornamented with Puginesque braids.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Click on the picture for a larger view.

Puginesque vestments in Wallsend

This post features a chasuble and cope set, with matching antependium, which the Saint Bede Studio has made for the use of the Latin Mass Community in Newcastle (Australia). These vestments have already been used for a Missa Cantata at Saint Patrick's church Wallsend, which has been featured on The New Liturgical Movement and The Hermeneutic of Continuity.

Some photographs are included from the Mass, in addition to a studio image of the cope. A forest green damask was used for these vestments, ornamented with Puginesque braids in red and gold.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com


Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Sundays after Pentecost - part II

A young priest from Louisiana (USA) commissioned the Saint Bede Studio to make a green chasuble in the Philip Neri style. The completed chasuble is pictured opposite.

These vestments are made from a magnificent damask of green and gold, ornamented simply with an outlining braid, and lined in green cotton.

Click on the picture for an enlarged view.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Ordination 2010 - Part V

The last in this small series of Ordination chasubles is a set of vestments prepared for Father Daniel O'Mullane from the United States who studied for the Sacred Priesthood at the Pontifical North American College, Rome.

Father O'Mullane asked for a Maria Regina chasuble, which has been featured on this blog several times before. Having had two chasubles prepared, Father O'Mullane wrote about his experiences with the Saint Bede Studio:

Working with the Saint Bede Studio has been a truly edifying experience. I am so happy to have found someone in Michael who cares deeply about the Sacred Liturgy, has a discerning eye for beauty in vestments and vesture, and can work well with me to bring my ideas to fruition. Not only are these the finest vestments I have ever worn, they are the finest I have seen in person. The fabrics are top quality, and the workmanship is perfect down to the minutest details. I have thoroughly enjoyed this prayerful process, and I look forward to our next project!

Click on the image for an enlarged view.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Ordinations 2010 - part IV

The fourth in this small series of Ordination chasubles was prepared for Father Daniel O'Mullane from the United States who studied for the Sacred Priesthood at the Pontifical North American College, Rome.

The ordinand asked for a chasuble which corresponded to the specifications laid down in the 16th century by S' Charles Borromeo.

A magnificent silk damask in grey and straw was chosen for the chasuble, ornamented with a silk damask of rose-red and gold, outlined with a narrow galloon. The ornamentation is in the traditional Roman style of the TAU. The chasuble was fully lined.

The photograph below was taken by Jeff Pikor at the First Mass of Father O'Mullane.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.