Sunday, 31 December 2023
As 2023 draws to a close
Thursday, 28 December 2023
Festal Mitre
This elegant but simple mitre is derived from the common form of mediaeval mitre, which were ornamented with braid or embroidery around the crown of the head and a corresponding ornament running up the centre towards the pointed top of the mitre. These ornaments are called, respectively, circulus and titulus.
The principal fabric of the mitre was formed from a silk brocade in the colours of ivory and muted gold. The lining was formed from silk taffeta in a shade of crimson red.
The braid forming the decoration of this mitre is a burgundy in colour, but its floriated mediaeval ornament is picked out in straw-gold.
Click on the images for an enlarged view.
Sunday, 24 December 2023
In this Holy Season
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 2023
Wednesday, 20 December 2023
A Prayer
We humbly beseech you, O Lord, that of your boundless mercy you would grant to your Holy Roman Church a Pontiff who, by his tender care of us, may ever find favour in your sight; and ever be honoured by your people, because of his good government of your Church, to the glory of your name. Amen.
AMDG.
Saturday, 16 December 2023
Gaudete Sunday 2023
Rose-coloured vestments were never commonplace and they still are not. Many different colours have been deemed by the Church as acceptable as liturgical rose. Some of these are a salmon shade; some a silvery-pink, almost mushroom-colour; some close to what we would call Bishop's purple or fuchsia; and some red with overtones of gold.
These vestments were made from dupion silk in a quite lovely shade of rose. This dupion silk is distinctive for having weaves of two complementary shades, which appear different at alternative angles. The photographs accompanying this post shew these differing appearances. The vestments were fully lined in a taup-coloured taffeta.
The ornament was formed from a braid from the range of the Studio's unique offerings, called Saint George. The braid is in the colour of platinum and burgundy, upon a crimson background. A narrow galloon outlines the perimeter of the chasuble. Both these braids are derived from the designs of AWN Pugin.
Click on the images for an enlarged view.
Wednesday, 13 December 2023
Vestments in the Season of Advent
Saturday, 9 December 2023
In Honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This elegant but simple set of vestments was made from silk dupion; it was lined with a taffeta in a shade of teal 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 a lovely braid in two shades of blue, picked-out with gold thread. This braid is outlined by a narrow galloon in a shade of pale yellow.
Click on the images for an enlarged view.
Tuesday, 5 December 2023
In the Season of Advent
This distinctive set of vestments was made from silk dupion in a lighter hue of violet; it was lined with a taffeta in a very dark shade of blue. 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.
Click on the images for an enlarged view.