Festal Gothic Revival Vestments

In this post, we are pleased to present another set of festal vestments, in the Gothic Revival style.  This set is constructed from ecclesiastical brocade in a shade of ivory.  The vestments are lined in a brassy shade of gold taffeta. 

The ornament is formed from an orphrey braid in colours of  straw-gold upon a red background.  This braid is directly based on a design by AWN Pugin.  Forming an outline to the orphrey braid is a narrow galloon in the same colours.

This is a beautiful and distinctive set of 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 Simplex Mitre

Not seen so regularly on the Studio blog are episcopal mitres, although we usually make a few of these each year.

 

In this post, we feature a simple mitre made for an Australian bishop.  This mitre is in the Gothic style and is made entirely of pure linen.  

Click on the image for an enlarged view. 

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

The simple mitre is used by bishops and abbots during the Season of Lent, on Good Friday, in all Offices of the Dead and by a bishop who is concelebrating Mass.  During such a concelebration, the Ceremonial of Bishops makes it quite clear that only the Bishop-celebrant may wear an ornamented mitre.

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

The custom mitres produced by the Saint Bede Studio are almost entirely hand-made.  Great care is taken with the design of the mitre to provide a comfortable fit and good proportions.  They are always provided with a sturdy cloth bag to keep them clean and secure.

Are you interested in presenting a mitre to your bishop?  If so, please contact us to discuss possibilities.

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

Festal Gothic Revival Vestments

In this post, we are pleased to present another set of festal vestments, in the Gothic Revival style.  This set is constructed from ecclesiastical brocade in a muted shade of gold.  The vestments are lined in a shade of red taffeta. 

The ornament is formed from an orphrey braid in colours of blue and straw-gold upon a red background.  This is one of the Studio's unique braids called Saint Edmund and is directly based on a design by AWN Pugin.  

This is a beautiful and distinctive set of vestments.

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

 

Click on the image 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 

Feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Blessed Virgin Mary is honoured on 24th September under various titles :  Our Ladye of Ransom; Our Ladye of Mercy and our Ladye of Walsingham.

In this post, we are pleased to describe a set of Marian vestments which we call Ave Maris Stella,  being in the Gothic Revival style.  These vestments have been very popular with customers of the Studio.

The decorative focus of this vestment is an orphrey braid which is based on the work of AWN Pugin.  This braid is produced in two shades of blue (lighter and darker) with figured ornament in gold.

These vestments were made from an ecclesiastical damask in the shade of ivory and lined in mid-blue taffeta.

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

Click on the images for an enlarged view. 

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 

Saint Andrew's Abbey-Church Bruges (Belgium)

Photograph: Dirk Vde 2007
Please note: The above copyrighted image may not be reproduced in any circumstances.

The magnificent Benedictine Abbey-Church of Saint Andrew in Bruges, Belgium is completely intact and truly glorious.

The altar rests beneath a magnificent civory or ciborium, the vault of which is covered with golden mosaic tiles. The apse walls are treated with inlaid marblework and murals painted in the Beuronese school of sacred art. Equally magnificent is the Cosmatesque floor of the sanctuary.

The altar of Saint Joseph in the Abbey-Church.
Here is seen a further example of the Beuronese school of sacred art.
The altar itself, together with its bronze Crucifix and candlesticks, is a work of art,
beautifully detailed and admirably proportionate.

The charming photograph adjacent was taken in the Abbey Church of Saint Andrew in Bruges, Belgium around 1958.  A Benedictine monk is pictured at the beginning of a Low Mass, attended by two servers.

Re-posted from our other Blog Where Heaven and Earth Meet.

Click on the images for an enlarged view. 

Saint Martin Vestments

In the post, the Saint Bede Studio is pleased to present a set of purple vestments.

This post features a set of vestments 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).

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

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 brocade in purple is lined with yellow-green cloth and is ornamented with one of the Studio's unique braids called Saint Raymund, forming 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 Per Annum 2025 : 23

In this Season  Per Annum  the Saint Bede Studio is pleased to present another set of green vestments.  We strive to avoid the idea that the designation Ordinary Time is a reason to make green vestments which are non-descript, or lacking in inspiration.  

This set is in the style common in the mediaeval period, being quite different in shape from the modern chasuble.  With the arms by the sides, the mediaeval chasuble is almost the shape of a bell and often referred to as such, or as the conical chasuble.  

The distinctive thing about this form of chasuble - quite different from the modern chasuble - is its drapery.  When the arms of the wearer are raised, the chasuble gathers into folds from the bottom upward, not from the centre outward (as with the modern "Gothic" chasuble). 

The Studio has made many such chasubles, based upon careful study of illustrations of mediaeval chasubles and examination of modern reproductions.  Through trial and error, the Studio has developed a form of conical chasuble which is comfortable to wear, although the wearer certainly benefits from the assistance of a minister to adjust the chasuble.

This set is made from an ecclesiastical brocade.  The ornament is formed from a reproduction of a mediaeval braid, in colours of crimson, straw-yellow and white upon a dark background.  

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

 

Click on the image 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 

Festal Gothic Revival Vestments

In this post, we are pleased to present another set of festal vestments, in the Gothic Revival style.  This set is constructed from ecclesiastical brocade in a muted shade of gold.  The vestments are lined in a shade of red taffeta. 

The ornament is formed from an orphrey braid in colours of red and straw-gold upon a green background.  This is one of the Studio's unique braids called Saint Edmund and is directly based on a design by AWN Pugin.  

This is a beautiful and distinctive set of vestments.

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

 

Click on the image 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 

Discussing the Renewal of the Sacred Liturgy

Occasionally on this Blog, articles pertaining to the traditions and celebration of the Sacred Liturgy in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary forms of the Roman Rite appear. This was one of the intentions of establishing this Blog in 2007.  How complicated and unpleasant matters pertaining to the Church's worship have become since that year! 

One of the differences between the pre and post Vatican Council II Church is now most everyone has an opinion on the Sacred Liturgy.  In a digital age, these opinions - for better or worse - can now be shared quickly and effectively.  But being the loudest voice does not necessarily equate to the most prudent one, nor the most reliable one.

Discussing the renewal of the Sacred Liturgy  is a sensitive issue and what is written ought not be presented in a manner which might cause confusion or scandal.  It ought be scholarly, but also mindful of the sensibilities of the Faithful.  A pious woman once gave me a reminder : it is better to pray about the reform of the Liturgy than to write articles about it. Probably both can be done, so long as the prayer informs the writing.

AMDG

The Papal Mass in Saint Peter's Basilica 60 years ago

Adjacent is a rather rare photograph, taken in Saint Peter's during a Session of the Second Vatican Council.

Standing at the centre of the altar is Pope Paul VI and with him, concelebrating bishops. At the Opening of the Third and Fourth Sessions of the Council, which took place on 14th September, 1964 and 14th September, 1965 respectively, Pope Paul concelebrated Mass in the basilica with a select number of the Council Fathers.

This Mass, of course, is being celebrated according to those modifications of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite known colloquially as The Interim Missal. The Rite of concelebration, however, is quite similar to that which is found in the new Missal of 1969.

Nevertheless, the concelebrated Masses celebrated in Saint Peter's before the introduction of the new Missal differed very significantly from those after that date, as is illustrated by this photograph. Although the Basilica on this occasion was filled with bishops, archbishops and cardinals from all around the world, only a small number concelebrated with the Pope.

These concelebrants were standing at the altar during the Canon and Communion Rite. To facilitate this, a temporary enlargement of the altar of the Confession was made, together with platforms on which the concelebrants would stand.

It was of little importance that the concelebrants obscured the congregation's view of the principal celebrant, the Pope. The most important considerations, therefore, were that the concelebrants stood at the altar in close proximity to each other (and the principal celebrant) AND that they could clearly look upon the elements to be consecrated.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

AMDG

The Seven Sorrows

On this lovely feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Seven Sorrows, we are pleased to describe this Marian chasuble being in the Gothic Revival style.

The decorative focus of this vestment is an orphrey braid which is based on the work of AWN Pugin. This braid, which we call Salve Regina, is produced in two shades of blue (lighter and darker) with figured ornament in gold and white.

These vestments were made from an ecclesiastical damask in the shade of ivory and lined in blue taffeta.

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

Enquiries.

Information on placing an order.

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

 

Click on the image for an enlarged view. 

Please note that posts on this blog are set-up for 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

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

On this noble Feast of the Church's year, the Saint Bede Studio is pleased to present a set of red vestments in the Gothic Revival Style.  The vestments were made from a rich shade of English ecclesiastical brocade and lined in taffeta of a brass-gold colour.   

The ornament was formed from one of the Studio's unique braids Saint Giles in colours of burgundy and straw-gold, upon red.  These vestments are simple in their ornamentation, but striking.  There is no need here for fine embroideries, but the effect is created with strong colours and contrasts : the hallmark of the work of the Saint Bede Studio.

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

Festal dalmatic

In this post is depicted an elegant festal dalmatic made by the Studio for an Australian customer to match a set of Low Mass vestments. 

The dalmatic is made from ecclesiastical brocade and fully lined in a rich golden taffeta. In this instance, the choice was made to ornament the dalmatic with a Gothic Revival orphrey braid in colours of red and gold.  

The work of the Saint Bede Studio is distinctive for its artistic qualities and the pains taken with every detail, such as the alignment of ornaments.  Even a restrained set of vestments like this is striking for its combination of colours and fine workmanship.

 

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

Purple Gothic Revival Vestments

In this post, the Saint Bede Studio is pleased to present this set of penitential vestments.  

This dignified set of vestments is in the Gothic style, a particular variant we call Saint Giles, being a more ample cut of chasuble.

The vestments were made from ecclesiastical brocade in a brighter shade of purple.  Lined in a shade of crimson-red taffeta, the vestments were ornamented with one of the Studio's unique braids.  This geometric braid named Saint Austin we have used with great success in all the liturgical colours.  It is directly based on a design by AWN Pugin.

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 Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

On this beautiful Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we are pleased to present these images of one of the Studio's most popular sets of vestments, which we call Ave Maris Stella.  This is made in various Gothic styles and from different fabrics, but always and is ornamented with the now-familiar braid.

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

We should describe this braid, for those who have not followed previous posts closely.  It employs two shades of blue, one a sky blue, the other Royal Blue and upon these two colours, the ornamental design is figured in (non-metallic) gold.

Within a Royal blue quatrefoil (four-leafed flower) is a stylised monogram being the letters MR.  This is the Latin abbreviation of Maria Regina (Mary the Queen).  It was very typical in the Mediaeval period for such monograms to appear as decorative schemes in churches and upon vestments. 

These quatrefoils alternate with another emblem, which is upon a light blue base.  Here is a crown emphasising the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin.  Below it, in heraldic lettering, is the greeting AVE.  From this is derived the name of this braid and based on the beautiful Marian antiphon Ave Maris Stella (Hail, Star of the Sea).

Running along either side of this orphrey is a row of smaller quatrefoils in gold, upon the Royal Blue base.

Although not directly-based on the work of the Gothic designer AWN Pugin, this Ave Maris Stella braid incorporates Puginesque elements.  No matter whether you shop for your vestments in Poland, India, England or America, you will not find another braid like Ave Maris Stella.  It is just one of the Saint Bede Studio's unique braids, designed by the writer of this blog and made exclusively for the Studio's use.

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

A further set of red vestments

The Studio is pleased to present this image of a set of Gothic Revival vestments.  

The set was made from dupion silk in a fiery-red and lined in a very muted shade of gold.  The vestments were ornamented with a geometric braid unique to the Saint Bede Studio, which we call Salisbury.  It is based on an old design and is woven in the colours of red, burgundy and straw-gold.

The work of the Saint Bede Studio is distinctive for its artistic qualities and the pains taken with every detail, such as the alignment of ornaments.  Even a simple vestment like this is striking for its combination of colours and fine workmanship.

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

Vestments for Masses of the Holy Spirit

In this post we are pleased to present this image of a set of brighter red vestments, suitable for those Masses of the Holy Spirit.  

The set was made from ecclesiastical brocade in a fiery combination of red and straw-gold and lined in a matching shade of red.  The vestments were ornamented in the Roman style, with a TAU at the front and a column at the back, formed from an outlining galloon. 

 

The chasuble is 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-designed imitations!

The work of the Saint Bede Studio is distinctive for its artistic qualities and the pains taken with every detail, such as the alignment of ornaments.  Even a restrained set of vestments like this is striking for its combination of colours and fine workmanship.

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

Priestly Ordinations 2026

To readers of this Blog :

If you are considering obtaining a set of vestments for yourself or as a gift for Ordinations in 2026 ...

  NOW 

is the time to make an enquiry with the Saint Bede Studio.  Our schedule of commissions for 2026 is nearly full; please be in touch without delay.  Next week will be too late !

This is our last notice on this subject.

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 Feast of S' Gregory the Great

The vestments in this post were made from an ecclesiastical brocade in bright white and fully-lined in a muted gold taffeta.  The vestments are in the Gothic Revival style and the combination of colours has been found very attractive by our customers.

The vestments are ornamented with one of the Studio's braids, being a replica of a design by AWN Pugin; this braid is augmented by a narrow galloon running alongside it and in the same colours of brighter red and old gold.  Notice how these braids are arranged : the greatest care is taken with all our vestments to ensure that braids are precisely and harmoniously aligned, not cutting away design elements.  

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

Borromeon Festal vestments

In this post we are pleased to present this beautiful set of Festal vestments.  These vestments were made from a silk damask with a gold figured design on an ivory background. 

Fully-lined in a shade of dark red taffeta, the chasuble is ornamented with a unique braid of the Studio, Saint Columba.  A galloon of straw-gold outlines the TAU ornament at the front of the chasuble and the column at the back.

The chasuble is in the Studio's Borromeon style, which is the product of years of research into historical vestments and refinement of dimensions for comfortable use.  

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