Ordinations - part III

The third in this small series of Ordination chasubles was prepared for a young deacon from Canada, who was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood in May.

The ordinand asked for a chasuble in the Philip Neri style, which has become increasingly popular amongst younger clergy, who are desirous of a distinctly "Roman" style of vestment, but yet do not wish to adopt the later style of chasuble of 18th century Rome, sometimes referred to as "fiddleback".

A renaissance-style ivory and gold silk damask was chosen for the chasuble, ornamented with a brocade of burgundy and gold, outlined with a narrow galloon. The ornamentation is in the traditional Roman style of the TAU. The chasuble was fully lined.

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Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Father Jeff Oehring pictured after his First Mass.

Vestments for Ferial Days

A priest of the Archdiocese of Sydney commissioned the Saint Bede Studio to make a set of vestments for use on ferial days per annum. This vestment is made from a forest-green taffeta and lined in cotton. It is ornamented with a magnificent silk braid, in first rate condition although 50 years old.

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Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Restorations at S' Aloysius' Church, Caulfield

The Latin Mass Community at Saint Aloysius' Caulfield commissioned some restoration of its church interior in time for Holy Week this year. This large church, constructed in 1923, has grown quite tired after a succession of unsympathetic redecorations. One of the sadder features was the High altar: an Omaru stone structure, but which was painted off-white some years ago. The apse wall behind the altar had been painted the same colour, effectively decreasing the altar's prominence. Although never an altar of great beauty, it was nevertheless felt that its appearance could be significantly improved.

The Melbourne firm of Mulholland Restoration and Decorating, which has restored many historic churches in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, was engaged to re-ornament the altar, in conjunction with the Saint Bede Studio. Because cost was a constraining factor, stripping the paint from the altar was deemed impossible. Parts of the stonework were also assessed as being in a quite deteriorated state. Instead, Mulhollands gave the altar a faux-stone treatment, giving it the appearance and texture of sandstone. This work having been carried out, the ornamental work of the altar was treated with a gold medium. To enhance the effect of this work, the apse wall behind the altar was painted white, whilst the string course separating the upper and lower levels of the sanctuary wall and the adjacent columns were also given the faux-stone treatment.

At the same time, the Saint Bede Studio prepared a number of altar frontals.

The results are seen in the photographs below (thanks to Dr Chris Steward). Note that some of the photographs may appear to slightly exaggerate the depth of the sandstone colour.

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Beginning the stone treatment: the previous painted colour of the altar seen on the right.

Treating the bas-reliefs: David and Barry from Mulhollands.

Work on the column, apse wall and string course.

Goldwork to accentuate ornamental mouldings &c.

After the completion of the paintwork.

Altar frontal for Penitential Days.

Easter Morning, shewing festal altar frontal.

Father Diamond PP celebrating the Evening Mass of the Lord's Supper in the Ordinary Form.

Ordinations 2010 part II

The second in this small series of Ordination chasubles was prepared for a young Sydney man, who was ordained to the priesthood in S' Mary's Cathedral Sydney on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, along with five other men.

The ordinand asked for a chasuble in the Saint Martin design, but strictly in colours of white and gold. This design is extremely ample and is intended to be more contemporary in appearance, even though based in Catholic traditions.

A renaissance-style ivory damask was chosen for the chasuble, ornamented with a brocade of white and gold, outlined with a narrow galloon. The ornamentation is in the traditional Roman style of the TAU. The chasuble was fully lined.

Click on the image for an enlarged view.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Sundays after Pentecost

The Saint Bede Studio has recently completed a commission from the Latin Mass Community of the Archdiocese of Adelaide for a green set of Solemn Mass vestments. The vestments were made from a green silk jacquard and ornamented with a silk braid of crimson, straw and green. Each of the vestments was fully lined. Pictured adjacent is the dalmatic from the set.

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Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Ordinations 2010: part I

One of the great privileges of my work is to prepare vestments for those men preparing for ordination to the sacred priesthood. At this time of year, it seems common for ordinations to take place and I have just finished a number of commissions from deacons in Rome, Australia and the United States who have been or are about to be ordained.

The first featured here was made for a deacon who had a particular desire to have a semi-conical chasuble in the English style of the mediaeval period. The most notable characteristic of the conical and semi-conical chasubles is the way they gather in horizontal folds when the wearer holds up his arms. A picture of the completed vestments, which illustrates these folds, is adjacent.

This chasuble, which is fully lined, is made from a lightweight ivory-colour damask. The orphreys are formed from straw-coloured silk damask, outlined in a quatrefoil braid in red and gold. Rectangles of gold brocade break-up the run of the orphrey. A chasuble owned by an English priest resident in the Archdiocese of Adelaide, since deceased, was the inspiration for this design. I saw it many years ago when visiting him: it was his ordination chasuble.

Click on the picture for an enlarged view.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com