Festal Vestments

A priest of the Diocese of Brentwood (UK) commissioned the Studio to prepare a set of vestments for Greater Days in the Borromeon form. The chasuble was made from a splendid Renaissance-style silk damask in silver and gold, ornamented with a silk damask of burgundy and gold, outlined with a narrow galloon. The vestments were lined in burgundy-red taffeta.

The ornamentation of the chasuble (see adjacent images) was in the traditional Roman style of the TAU.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Ave Maris Stella

The Saint Bede Studio is pleased to announce a new range of vestments specifically for Festivals of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is called Ave Maris Stella. The decorative focus of this new vestment range 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. This braid was designed by the Studio and is only available through it. The braid can be used on fabrics either brighter white in colour, or ivory and can also be used to decorate dalmatics and copes.

The chasuble shewn in the adjacent photograph was produced for a priest of the Archdiocese of Galvaston-Houston USA. It is made from a silk damask and lined in a vibrant blue dupion silk.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Priestly Ordinations 2013 : 8

Each year, the Saint Bede Studio has the privilege of preparing sacred vestments for Ordinands. Happily, this year has been no exception. This post concerns Father Justin Raines, a student of the Pontifical North American College, who was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood in the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Diocese of Nashville, Tennessee on 27th July.

Father Raines commissioned vestments made in the Borromeon form for his First Holy Mass. The chasuble (shewn adjacent) was made from a rich ecclesiastical brocade in ivory and gold and was ornamented with a brocade in the colours of burgundy, red and gold, outlined with narrow braids,  in the Roman style. The vestments were lined in red taffeta.

Please pray for Father Raines and for all newly-ordained priests.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Father Straub after his First Mass.

2014 Ordinands

A NOTICE TO ORDINANDS OF 2014.

Because of the volume of work presently being undertaken by the Studio, it will be necessary for new commissions for the first half of 2014 to be arranged by the end of September.

If you are considering vestments, please do not delay your enquiry.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com 

Pope Paul VI 1963-1978

Today, the Feast of the Transfiguration, is the 35th Anniversary of the death of Pope Paul VI.

May his soul, and the souls of all the Faithful Departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Time "per annum" In the Vatican Basilica

On 7th July, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Saint Peter's for Seminarians and Novices of Religious Congregations. The vestments worn by the Pope for that Mass have been shewn here before, but they are seen to better advantage in these photographs. They are a very attractive shade of green, even if the ornament is rather uninspired.

Once again, Pope Francis used the staff or ferula of Pope Paul VI, which he seems to prefer.

Images copyright Spaziani.

Pope Francis at the Gesú

Pope Francis commemorated the Feast of Saint Ignatius Loyola at the church of the Gesú in Rome. He concelebrated Mass with 200 Italian Jesuits. At the end of the Mass the Pope prayed and lit a lamp before the altar of St. Ignatius; he also visited the Chapel of Madonna della Strada, the altar of Saint Francis Xavier and the tomb of Father Pedro Arrupe, sometime Jesuit General.

The adjacent photographs were taken from the website of the Roman Jesuit Superior General. On this occasion, Pope Francis wore vestments which are part of the collection of the Gesú  being a chasuble of dupion silk, ornamented with the Tau.

Pope Francis in the sacristy of the Gesu.

During the celebration of the Papal Mass.

Some comments on one photograph from the Mass, which illustrate the liturgical arrangements found at the Gesú. This renowned church is an example of how arrangements can be made for versus populum celebration of the Mass without compromising the integrity of an historic interior, a work of art. The photograph taken from one of the galleries shews the arrangement for the Pope's Mass in a sanctuary which is outside the original presbyterium. This arrangement leaves the original presbyterium intact.

The new sanctuary area is arranged on a large raised podium, which is a muted colour, and features a cube-shaped altar, also in muted tones (possibly faced with copper). The small scale of this altar (in the primitive style) and its colour make it almost invisible from first glance. What is not obvious from the photographs is that all the furnishings of this sanctuary, together with the podium itself are completely removable.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

During the celebration of Mass.
The Pope alone stands at the cube-shaped altar, with concelebrants
standing in a semicircle around the altar.

The interior of the Gesu: a nearly invisible free-standing altar.

Blessing of Priestly Vestments

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.

R. Who made heaven and earth.

Let us pray.

Almighty eternal God, who through your servant Moses commanded vestments to be fashioned for the honour of your name, that the High Priest, priests and levites might fittingly stand before your face to worship you, in your goodnefs heed our prayer.  Through our humble ministration blefs  +  these priestly garments and pour out grace upon them; that they may be vestments henceforth, blefsed for use in the sacred ceremonies of your worship.  And as your bishops, priests and levites wear these sacred vestments, may they find strength against the onslaughts and temptations of the devil.  May they worship you worthily and well, giving themselves wholly to your service and finding therein their never-ending joy.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

The vestments are sprinkled with Holy Water.

Priestly Ordinations 2013 : 7

Each year, the Saint Bede Studio has the privilege of preparing sacred vestments for Ordinands.  Happily, this year has been no exception. This post concerns Father Jacob Straub, who was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood in the Cathedral of the Assumption, Diocese of Covington, Kentucky on 22nd June.

Father Straub commissioned vestments made in the Saint Philip Neri form for his First Holy Mass. The chasuble (shewn adjacent) was made from an ecclesiastical brocade in ivory and gold and was ornamented with a silk damask outlined with narrow braids in the colours of burgundy and gold, in the Roman style. The vestments were lined in gold taffeta.

Please pray for Father Straub and for all newly-ordained priests.

Enquiries: stbede62@gmail.com

Brazil : 2

On the third day of his visit to South America, 24th July, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the Basilica-shrine of Our Lady of Aparecido in Sao Paolo. Some photographs of this Mass are adjacent.

Click on the images for an enlarged view. 

Copyright: Getty Images.

Interior of the Basilica during the Papal Mass.

The circular presbyterium of the Basilica, at the crossing.

The Pope giving the Blessing with the Evangelarium.

Incensation of the Offerings.

Pope Francis carrying in procession the black Madonna of Aparecido.