Saint Augustine of Hippo

On this Feast of Saint Augustine, the Studio is pleased to present a glimpse of a set of festal vestments, in the Gothic Revival style.  

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

This set is constructed from ecclesiastical brocade in ivory.  The vestments are lined in a muted shade of 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.

 

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 

Saint Monica

On this lovely Feast, the Studio is pleased to present a set of festal vestments, in the Gothic Revival style.  

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

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.

 

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 

Saint Louis, King

On the Feast of the confessor Saint Louis, King of France, the Studio is pleased to present a simple set of vestments according to our Saint Giles design. This elegant chasuble, made from a cream coloured silk blend jacquard, is extremely lightweight and flows beautifully.

The chasuble is ornamented with a braid of the Studio's design, in colours of red, burgundy and gold.  This design is directly based upon a Belgian early-20th century chasuble which appears on page 92 of Dom Roulin's well-known study Vestments and Vesture (1931). The image from Dom Roulin's book is reproduced below.

Dom Roulin's fascinating study has recently been reprinted by the Romanitas Press and is highly recommended by this Studio.

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

Saint Bartholomew, Apostle

On this Feastday, the Studio is pleased to present a glimpse of this set of red vestments.  

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.

Crimson-red dupion silk is lined with a light green taffeta and is ornamented with one of the Studio's braids called Saxony, being knotwork in three colours. 

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 2026 : 11

In this post is depicted a new set of vestments in a beautiful shade of green dupion silk and ornamented with braids in colours of straw-gold upon red.  

These vestments are in one of our Gothic Revival styles.  The chasuble and accessories were lined in rust-red taffeta.

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 Immaculate Heart of Mary

On this beautiful Feast, we are pleased to present this image from a set of Marian vestments.  

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

This is the maniple from the set which is ornamented with a combination of braids, one laid upon the other.  The principal braid is one of our newer orphrey braids;  it is called Walsingham.  Accompanying this braid are strips of our narrow galloon of quatrefoils, called Saint Barnabas.

Walsingham braid 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.  The braid is a sequence of circles, enclosing a Gothic Revival Latin cross. Although not a reproduction of the work of the Gothic designer AWN Pugin, this Walshingham 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 Walsingham.  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 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

Saint Bernard, Abbot and Doctor of the Church

On this Feastday of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, the Studio is pleased to present a set of vestments in a more contemporary style.  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). 

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.

An ivory shade of dupion silk is lined with lemon-coloured taffeta and is ornamented with one of the Studio's unique braids (called Saint Raymund) in colours of red, white and straw-gold upon royal blue.  The ornament is very simple : 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 Assumption

On this lovely feast of the Assumption, the Saint Bede Studio is pleased to describe this Marian chasuble being in the Gothic Revival style.

The decorative focus of this vestment is a new orphrey braid, featuring the Marian star found in many images of the Blessed Virgin.  This braid, which we call Salus Populi, is produced in two shades of blue (lighter and darker) with figured ornament in gold and white.

The braid is punctuated with the words :

Salve : Salus : Spes : Nostra

These vestments were made from an ecclesiastical brocade in the shade of ivory and lined in rose-coloured 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 images 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 

Returning

During June and July, the proprietor of this Studio was recovering from an injury and dealing with other unforeseen circumstances.  Pre-arranged posts continued on the Studio blog but much of the business of the Studio had to be deferred.

I have now returned to full-time duties.

Our sewing work continued during this period, so that the schedule of commissions for 2026 has been going along as planned at the beginning of the year.

For those who read an earlier post, thank you for words of encouragement and prayers.  And apologies to any who were inconvenienced by this absence.

Michael Sternbeck

Newcastle NSW

12th August 2026.

Saint Clare of Assisi

On this lovely feast, we are pleased to present a glimpse of a set of festal vestments, in the Gothic Revival style.

This set is constructed from ecclesiastical brocade and is lined in a shade of lemon taffeta. 

The ornament is formed from an orphrey braid in colours of deep 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.  It features the sacred monogram " IHS ".

Although not elaborate, 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 

Saint Lawrence, martyr

On this feast of the martyr, Saint Lawrence, we are pleased to present this red dalmatic.  Made from a European brocade and fully-lined in taffeta, this dalmatic is ornamented with a simple foliated braid in colours of burgundy and straw.

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

Click on the image 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 Season Per Annum 2026 : 10

In this post is depicted a new set of vestments in a beautiful shade of green dupion silk and ornamented with braids in colours of straw-gold upon red.  

These vestments are in one of our Gothic Revival styles.  The chasuble and accessories were lined in rust-red taffeta.

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

Saint Mary of the Cross

On this Feast of the Australian saint, Mother Mary of the Cross (Mackillop) the Studio is pleased to present a set of festal vestments, in the Gothic Revival style.

This set is constructed from an English ecclesiastical brocade and is lined in a muted yellow shade of taffeta. 

The ornament is formed from the Y shaped orphrey in colours of burgundy and straw-gold upon a red background.  This is one of the Studio's unique braids called Saint Giles.  

Although not elaborate, 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 Transfiguration

The Studio is pleased to commemorate the Feast of the Transfiguration with this post featuring a set of festal vestments. The vestments are made from a familiar tapestry fabric and fully-lined in crimson-red cloth. This chasuble is ornamented in the well-known Roman style, a variation of the TAU at the front and a column at the back, formed by a stripes of crimson-red brocade and an outlining burgundy and gold galloon.

The vestments are sumptuous, but yet gold metallic yarns are nowhere to be found in it.

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

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-made imitations!

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

A prayer for zealous shepherds

Thanks to Father Finigan we found this beautiful prayer of Saint John Fisher, dating from the year 1508, which he uttered during a Sermon. It is a prayer for the appointment to the Church of good bishops. Unfortunately the prayer was not answered as fully as he might have hoped. John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester since 1504, was the only Bishop in Catholic England to refuse to assent to the Act of Supremacy, the supreme arrogation of the vile despot Henry VIII (Tudor), severing England from Communion with the Roman Church. For such a refusal, Fisher was put to death by the tyrant in June 1535.  Pope Paul III had made him a Cardinal shortly before his death. Pope Pius XI canonised him four hundred years later (together with Sir Thomas More).

The portrait accompanying this post is described here . Based on Holbein's famous drawing, this portrait might easily be a photograph taken yesterday, so lifelike is it.

Lord, according to your promise that the Gospel should be preached throughout the whole world, raise up men fit for such work. The Apostles were but soft and yielding clay till they were baked hard by the fire of the Holy Ghost.

So, good Lord, do now in like manner again with your Church militant; change and make the soft and slippery earth into hard stone; set in your Church strong and mighty pillars that may suffer and endure great labours, watching, poverty, thirst, hunger, cold and heat; which also shall not fear the threatening of princes, persecution, neither death but always persuade and think with themselves to suffer with a good will, slanders, shame, and all kinds of torments, for the glory and laud of your Holy Name. By this manner, good Lord, the truth of your Gospel shall be preached throughout all the world.

Therefore, merciful Lord, exercise your mercy, show it indeed upon your Church.  Amen.

AMDG

Festal Days

During the Festal days of this week, the Studio is pleased to present this simple vestment in our Saint Anselm style.

This style of chasuble, which we have been making for a few years now, is simple and comfortable to wear.  Although the chasuble is unlined, it is made from substantial, not flimsy material, so that it hangs down well.  Around the neckline, on the underside of the chasuble is a facing, which causes the vestments to sit well on the shoulders.

Concerning the appearance of this vestment, it is intended to be a mixture of the contemporary and the traditional.  It is a long chasuble and reaching near to the wrists.  It is ornamented simply.  The colour of the ornament varies, but consists of two columns made from silk with a selection of the Studio's unique braids.

In the case of this chasuble, the Studio's braid Saint George is laid upon pendants of vibrant red silk dupion.  These pendants are attached to the front and to the back of chasuble.

Each of these simpler chasubles is supplied with a fully-lined stole.  They are available in all the liturgical colours.

Please click on the image for an enlarged view.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com

Saint Dominic

On this remembrance of the illustrious life of Saint Dominic,  the Saint Bede Studio is pleased to present this set of festal vestments. 

The vestments are made from a beautiful silk damask in a very muted gold, with golden highlights. They are fully-lined in crimson-red taffeta.

This Borromeon chasuble is ornamented in the well-known Roman style, being the TAU at the front and a column at the back, formed by a damask in colours of burgundy and gold and an outlining gold galloon.

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

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 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-made imitations!

Click on the image 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 Revision of the Roman Rite : 1964 - 1970

Celebration of Mass according to
the 1965 Missale Romanum.

Among the many over-reaching claims made during the Troubles of the twelve years happily concluded in 2025 is one that stated that the revisions of the Roman Rite - specifically those which took place in and after the year 1969 - are "irreformable".  Only those who try to ignore or hide history could possibly come up with such a statement.  Graves and funerary monuments abound of those who considered their work to be permanent or irreformable.  Perhaps this is a small consolation for those still suffering the after-effects of Traditionis Custodes.

One of the lessons to be learned, however, from the Revision of the Liturgical books, which took place (mainly) between the years 1965 - 1970 is that changes took place in stages.

The first stage - introducing vernacular into the Rite of Mass and the celebration of the Sacraments was very dramatic and well-received.  Why it was so popular would bear a great deal of discussion, beyond the scope of this brief overview.  But there were no widespread protests against the introduction of the vernacular into the Roman Rite.  It seemed such a good idea, at least at first.  

Changes to the ritual actions of the Mass took place by degrees and - except for the innovation of the celebration of Mass facing the people at freestanding altars, went by without a great deal of handwringing or even attention, except of course for the celebrant and his ministers.  Ritually, so much was altered step-by-step in this period, that when the New Order of Mass came into effect on the First Sunday of Advent, 1969, it was seen quite clearly as just another revision amongst a continuum of revisions. That was the strategy and it was successful.

In a previous post, we presented the first of the Liturgical books to be released as a result of the decree of the Second Vatican Council Sacrosanctum Concilium.  We will continue to examine the many English-language Missals which were produced between 1964 and 1968 in further posts. Retrospectively, the form of the Roman Rite which existed between these two years has become known as the Interim Rite.  During those years, of course, such a term was not known, since that would have given the game away.  Except for those working behind the scenes, no one in 1964 / 65 would have believed that the Roman Rite would have been so drastically altered, such that Old and New bear only a basic resemblance.

For a younger generation the Missals of the so-called Interim Rite are largely unknown.  They make for a most interesting study.

The celebrant giving the Blessing during a
celebration of the Mass of the "Interim Rite".
The missal resting upon the altar is one of the Latin & vernacular
editions 1965-1968.

AMDG  

S. Alphonsus Liguori

In this post, we feature a chasuble and mitre set made for an American bishop.

The chasuble and mitre were made from an ornate silk damask, called Lovebirds. Ornamenting the chasuble, back and front, is a column formed from rose-gold silk damask, outlined by a golden galloon.  Both mitre and chasuble were lined in a rich red taffeta.

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

The mitre has a similar decorative scheme, but its ornament is formed from different coloured braids.

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