The Blessed Fulton Sheen, Bishop and Confessor

 

24th September

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 

The Apostle Matthew

 

On this Feast of the Apostle Matthew, the Saint Bede Studio is pleased to present a glimpse of 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

The Triumph of the Holy Cross

On this beautiful Feast, the Studio is pleased to present this 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.

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

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 knotwork braid Saint Columba is laid upon pendants of vibrant red silk dupion.  These pendants are attached to the front and to the back of chasuble and not hanging loosely.

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

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 Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

On this beautiful Feast day, we are pleased to present a set of vestments in honour of the Blessed Virgin.  The vestments are made from a brocade in ivory and fully-lined in blue taffeta. 

The chasuble in this post is ornamented is an adaptation of the well-known Roman style, a TAU at the front and a column at the back, formed by a silk damask in beautiful shade of blue and an outlining galloon in blue and straw-gold.

These vestments are 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!

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 Season Per Annum 2026 : 13

In this post is depicted a set of vestments in a beautiful shade of green ecclesiastical brocade.  These vestments are in one of our Gothic Revival styles.  The chasuble and accessories were lined in straw-coloured taffeta.

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

The braid used to ornament these vestments is called S' Edmund,  based on the work of AWN Pugin.

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 Season Per Annum 2026 : 12

 

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.

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.

These vestments are made from a darker shade of green brocade and lined with a contrasting green fabric.  The ornament is very simple : a TAU in the front and a column at the back, formed from an ecclesiastical brocade in colours of burgundy and old gold. 

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

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

S. Ignatius Loyola

On the Feast of Saint Loyola, we are pleased to present this set of festal vestments.

Made from a simple white brocade and fully-lined in a shade of gold silk, the chasuble in this post is ornamented with a Renaissance brocade in colours of red upon gold.  A galloon of red and straw-gold outlines the TAU ornament. 

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.

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

A Prayer for God's Blessing on our work

The work of the Saint Bede Studio, which is conducted in modest arrangements here in Newcastle, Australia, is able to continue because of God's blessing upon it.

Most days, we receive a message from a customer or an enquirer thanking us for the work we do to beautify God's house and with a promise of prayer.

Your custom and your prayer are the two foundations upon which our work continues.  We have many commissions and more enquiries than we can manage.  And perhaps an equal amount of difficulties.

This prayer has appeared on the Studio blog before.  Perhaps you will pray it remembering all those who work to sanctify God's House.

AMDG.

This prayer has received the Imprimatur of the Bishop of Maitland & Newcastle (Australia).

Suscipe Sancta Trinitas

One of the prayers which didn't survive the Missale Romanum final cut in 1970 was this one:

Accept, holy Trinity, this offering which we make to you in remembrance of the passion, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in honour of blessed Mary ever Virgin, of blessed John the Baptist, of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, of those whose relics rest here, and of all the Saints. To them may it bring honour, and to us salvation; and may they, whose memory we keep on earth, be pleased to intercede for us in heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

This beautiful prayer, intended to be recited quietly after the washing of the hands during the Preparation of Gifts or Offertory, is a summary of the things a Catholic should keep in mind when praying the Mass. It reminds us firstly that all our worship is offered to the One God, who is a Trinity of Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Secondly, in reflecting the Anamnesis after the consecration, the prayer insists on the unity of Christ’s Paschal Mystery that is re-presented for us in sacramental form: His Passion, Resurrection and Ascension. Finally, it asserts that a secondary end of the Mass is the honour of the Saints (that is, the victory of Christ in His members is being praised), and accordingly it begs their intercession for us on Earth. 

One can only wonder at the mentality which saw fit to excise this prayer from the Mass. If there was one prayer that ought to have been retained at the Offertory, this was the one. After washing his hands and before inviting the people to prayer (Pray, brethren), the celebrant bowed before the altar and quietly prayed the Suscipe Sancta Trinitas.

If you are a priest reading this, you might consider praying this prayer at the Offertory when you offer the Ordinary Form of the Roman Mass. If you pray it according to the rubrics of the 1962 Missale Romanum, (namely bowed and silently) no one in the pews will be disturbed.  We won't tell Cardinal Roche.

How beautiful it would be if once again this prayer were recited at every Mass!  The Angels would rejoice.

The Throw-away Culture

 

The throw-away society we live in, where the value of anything is measured in short-term satisfaction, is consumerist and ungodly.  The Church is not immune from such a mentality, unfortunately.  Vestments can be purchased ONLINE quite readily and affordably and the merit of this is all measured by convenience.

The Saint Bede Studio wishes to offer an alternative to this culture.  Our vestments are made to last decades (if well cared-for).  They are the product of artistic and careful design, not mass-production (no pun intended).

One such is shewn in this post - a glimpse of a set of green vestments in the mediaeval style.  The vestments were made from a lovely shade of English ecclesiastical brocade and lined in taffeta of a deep red colour.  

The ornament was formed from a lovely braid in colours of red and ivory, upon black.  These vestments are simple in their ornamentation, but striking.  The maniple is finished with solid fringing in colours of green and ivory.  There is no need here for fine embroideries, but the effect is created with strong colours and contrasts.

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

On the Feast of Apostle James

On this beautiful Feast of the Apostle James, the Saint Bede Studio is pleased to present this image of a set of red vestments, the colour used for the Apostles, Martyrs and the Passion.  

The set was made from dupion silk in a subdued shade of red.  It is not the fiery-red used for the Feasts of the Holy Spirit, but closer to colour of blood.  The vestments were ornamented in the Roman style, with a TAU at the front and a column at the back, formed from a damask in colours of red and straw gold and an outlining galloon.  The lining was made of bronze-coloured taffeta.

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 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