On the Feast of Saint Thomas Becket

On this Feast of Saint Thomas Becket, we are pleased to present this set of vestments, prepared for a recently-ordained priest in Croatia.

These vestments are according to the Studio's Saint Martin style, but ornamented in a manner reminiscent of the famous chasuble of Saint Thomas, displayed with his mitre in the museum of the Cathedral of Sens, France (adjacent image).

Our customer's vestments were made from a very lovely shade of red dupion silk, fully lined in a golden taffeta. The distinctive ornament is formed from one of the Studio's unique braids, named Saint Raymund.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Enquiries via this page.

The actual chasuble of Saint Thomas Becket,

housed in the treasury of Sens Cathedral.

This image is the copyright of Genevra Kornbluth.

Festal S' Philip Neri vestments

For a new customer, a priest of the Diocese of Lafayette (Louisiana USA) the Studio recently prepared a set of vestments in the Saint Philip Neri style, shewn in the adjacent image.

The vestments were made from a beautiful silk damask, ornamented in the Roman manner with the Studio's unique braids.  The vestments were lined in crimson red taffeta.

Click on the image for an enlarged view.

Enquiries via this page.

Christmas Greetings

To all friends, customers and readers of this Blog, sincere wishes for a Blessed Christmas.

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill be made low; the crooked shall be made straight and the rough places plain; and the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.
Isaiah 40:4-5.

Michael Sternbeck
The Saint Bede Studio
December 2018

Dalmatic for the Penitential Seasons

Featured in this post is one of a pair of dalmatics made for a returning customer from the United States.  This is part of a Solemn Mass set.

These dalmatics were made from dupion silk in a very beautiful and deep shade of purple.  All of the vestments in this set were lined with dark red taffeta.

Ornamenting these vestments is one of the Studio's unique braids, named Saint Austin.  This braid is an interpretation of braids designed by AWN Pugin.  In colours of red, blue and gold, this braid beautifully ornaments darker coloured vestments.



Click on the image for an enlarged view.

Enquiries via this page.

Gaudete 2018

As Gaudete Sunday approaches, we are pleased to present this set of Rose vestments, made for a returning customer, an Italian prelate.

The vestments were made from a silk brocade in a subtle shade of Rose.  They were ornamented with one of the Studio's unique braids in colours of silver, red and purple.  The taffeta lining was in a shade of silver.  Shewn in the adjacent image, the chasuble was made in the Borromeon form.

Click on the image for an enlarged view.

Enquiries via this page.

During the Season of Advent

We are pleased to present this chasuble commissioned from the Saint Bede Studio by a returning customer from the Archdiocese of Salzburg (Austria).

The set of vestments is in the Studio's Saint Austin style, being a form of Gothic Revival chasuble.  An English ecclesiastical brocade was chosen, lined in a wine-red taffeta.  Ornamenting the vestments is the Studio's unique braid Saint George, derived from Pugin's own work.



Click on the image for an enlarged view.

Enquiries via this page.

For Australian Readers

An additional blog has now been created which deals specifically with Australian Catholic history in the 19th century.  The blog is named In diebus illis.

The internet address : https://inthosedayes.blogspot.com

It is intended to make available on this new blog, articles on the history of the Church in Australia during the 19th century, together with extracts from primary sources, photographs etc., particularly focussing on the life and ministry of Australia's first Catholic bishop, John Bede Polding OSB and his contemporaries.

This Blog has been established in conjunction with the Facebook page

Archbishop John Bede Polding OSB

We wish to help a new generation of Australian Catholics to learn about the beginnings of the Church on this continent.

Most Reverend John Bede Polding OSB
Australia's first Catholic bishop.
Image : The Saint Bede Studio

As Advent Begins

At the beginning of this Season of Advent, a debate regularly emerges about the use of "blue" vestments. The use of blue has advocates and fierce opponents.

Exactly what colour, however, is being suggested as Advent "Blue"? Is it the same colour as the flowers called "violets"? If so, then using that colour in Advent is not only permissible, but is embedded within the Church's Traditions. Some years ago, we presented an article about the history of the use of "violet" for vestments of the Roman Rite.

Click the links for Part One of the article and Part Two of the article.

In the adjacent illustration, a prelate of the Roman Court is shewn wearing choir dress.  What is distinctive is that the colour of the prelate's manteletta is not the Roman purple that is familiar now for prelates, but violet. Up until the beginning of the 20th century (and even beyond in some places, such as France), violet was very common - even usual - for the choir dress of prelates.  Perhaps we may be permitted to regret that it no longer is.

This colour is the more traditional shade of "violet" used by the Church, despite the prevalence of darker shades now, which are more akin to "indigo".