La Médaille Miraculeuse. The Miraculous Medal. The Medal Of Our Lady Of Graces. Feast Day 27 November. In The Diocese Of Brooklyn, United States Of America.

La Médaille Miraculeuse.

The Miraculous Medal.

Illustration: FACEBOOK RICHARD HAWKER

The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopædia.

The Miraculous Medal (French: Médaille miraculeuse), also known as The Medal of Our Lady Of Graces, is a Medal, the design of which was originated by Saint Catherine Labouré following her apparitions of The Blessed Virgin Mary in Rue du Bac, Paris, France, and made by a Goldsmith, Adrien Vachette.

According to the Teaching of The Catholic Church, the use of Sacramentals, such as this Medal, prepare people to receive Grace and dispose them to co-operate with it.

Catherine Labouré stated that, on 19 July 1830, The Eve of The Feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, she woke up after hearing the voice of one child calling her to the Chapel, where she heard The Virgin Mary say to her: “God wishes to charge you with a mission. You will be contradicted, but do not fear; you will have the Grace to do what is necessary. Tell your Spiritual Director all that passes within you. Times are evil in France and in the World.”

On 27 November 1830, Catherine reported that The Blessed Mother returned during evening Meditations. She displayed herself inside an oval frame, standing upon a globe. She wore many rings, set with gems, that shone rays of light over the globe.

Around the margin of the frame, appeared the words: “Ô, Marie, conçue sans péché, priez pour nous qui avons recours à vous” (“O, Mary, conceived without sin, Pray for us who have recourse to thee”). As Catherine watched, the frame seemed to rotate, showing a circle of twelve stars, a large letter M surmounted by a Cross, and the stylised Sacred Heart of Jesus Crowned with Thorns and Immaculate Heart of Mary pierced with a Sword.

Asked why some of the gems did not shed light, Mary reportedly replied: “Those are the Graces for which people forget to ask.” Sister Catherine then heard The Virgin Mary ask her to take these images to her Father Confessor, telling him that they should be put on Medallions, and saying: “All who wear them will receive great Graces.”

Sister Catherine did so, and after two years of investigation and observation of Catherine's ordinary daily behaviour, the Priest took the information to his Archbishop without revealing Catherine's identity. The request was approved and Medallions were designed and produced through a Goldsmith, Adrien Vachette.

The Chapel, in which Saint Catherine experienced her Visions, is located at The Mother House of The Daughters of Charity in Rue du Bac, Paris. The incorrupt bodies of Saint Catherine Labouré and Saint Louise de Marillac, a Co-Founder of The Congregation Of The Daughters Of Charity Of Saint Vincent De Paul, are interred in the Chapel, which continues to receive daily visits from Catholic Pilgrims, today.

Pope John Paul II used a slight variation of the reverse image as his Coat-of-Arms, The Marian Cross, a plain Cross with an M underneath the Right-Hand Bar (which signified The Blessed Virgin at The Foot of The Cross when Jesus was being Crucified).

The following Text is from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.

Our Lady Of The Miraculous Medal.
   Feast Day 27 November

      (in The Diocese of Brooklyn, New York).

Greater-Double.

White Vestments.

IN THE DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

Our Blessed Lady, appearing in the year 1832 to Catherine Labouré, a Sister of Charity, showed her the pattern of Medal now universally known as “The Miraculous Medal”, because of the many wonders which it has pleased Almighty God to work by its means in His Church.

Among these is the marvellous Conversion, in Rome, in 1842, of the Jew, Alphonse Ratisbonne.

Mass: Erit quasi signum.
The Nicene Creed: Is said or sung.

English: Fr. Ratisbonne in 1865.

Français: Cdv du Père Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne en 1865.

Date: 1865.

Source: Cdv ancienne.

Author: Unknown.

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is from Wikipedia.

Marie-Alphonse Ratisbonne, N.D.S., (May 1, 1814, Strasbourg, Alsace, France - May 6, 1884, Ein Karem, Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem, Ottoman Empire) was a French Jew who Converted to Catholicism and became a Jesuit Catholic Priest and Missionary. He later was a Co-Founder of The Congregation Of Our Lady of Sion, a Religious Congregation dedicated to the Conversion of Jews to The Catholic Faith.

Saint Peter Of Alexandria. Bishop And Martyr. “The Seal Of The Martyrs”. Feast Day, Today, 26 November.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Peter Of Alexandria.
   Bishop And Martyr.
   Feast Day 26 November.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

Saint Peter of Alexandria.

CNA file photo.

Illustration: CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

"At Alexandria," says The Roman Martyrology, "the birth in Heaven of Saint Peter, Bishop of that City, who, resplendent with The Light of Every Virtue, was beheaded by order of The Emperor Maximinus in 311 A.D."

Mass: Statuit. Of a Martyr.

THE END OF THE SANCTORAL CYCLE.

The following Text is from CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY

By: Benjamin Mann.

Denver, Colorado. 25 November 2012 / 09:45 a.m. (CNA/EWTN News).- Local Commemorations of the 4th-Century A.D. Martyr, Saint Peter of Alexandria, will take place on 25 November and, also, on 26 November. Although his Feast Day in The Western Tradition (on the latter date) is no longer a part of The Roman Catholic Church’s Universal Calendar, he remains especially beloved among Catholic and Orthodox Christians of The Egyptian Coptic Tradition.

Tradition attests that the Egyptian Bishop was the last Believer to suffer death at the hands of Roman Imperial authorities for his Faith in Christ. For this reason, Saint Peter of Alexandria is known as "The Seal of The Martyrs".

He is said to have undertaken severe Penances for the sake of The Suffering Church during his lifetime, and written Letters of encouragement to those in prison, before going to his death at the close of "The Era of The Martyrs."

Both the date of Peter’s birth, and of his Ordination as a Priest, are unknown. It is clear, however, that he was chosen to lead Egypt’s main Catholic Community in 300 A.D., after the death of Saint Theonas of Alexandria.

He may have previously been in charge of Alexandria’s well-known Catechetical School, an important centre of Religious Instruction in The Early-Church. Peter’s own theological writings were cited in a later 5th-Century A.D. dispute over Christ’s Divinity and Humanity.

In 302 A.D., the Emperor Diocletian and his subordinate, Maximinus, attempted to wipe out The Church in the territories of The Roman Empire. They used their authority to destroy Church properties, imprison and torture Believers, and eventually kill those who refused to take part in pagan ceremonies. As The Bishop of Alexandria, Peter offered Spiritual Support to those who faced these penalties, encouraging them to hold to their Faith without compromise.

Saint Sylvester. Abbot. Whose Feast Day Is Today, 26 November.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Sylvester.
   Abbot.
   Feast Day 26 November.

Double.

White Vestments.

Saint Sylvester receives Holy Communion from The Hand of Our Lady (see, below).

Artist: Claudio Ridolfi.

Date: 1632.

Illustration: VULTUS CHRISTI

Saint Sylvester was born of noble parentage at Osimo, in The Marches of Ancona, Italy. Owing to his rare merit, The Canons of The Cathedral of Osimo admitted him to share their dignity. When present, one day, at the funeral of an illustrious man, a relative of his, he was struck by the hideous appearance of the body of a man who had been so handsome, and exclaimed: "I am, today, what he was, and, one day, I shall be what he is" (Collect).

He immediately gave up everything (Gospel) and retired into a desert, where he devoted himself to Penance and Meditation (Introit). "Later, he built at Monte Fano," says The Roman Breviary, "a Church in honour of The Holy Father, Benedict, who advised him in a vision to Found a Religious Order, whose Rule and Habit he described to him. It was The Order of The Sylvestrines."

This Branch of The Benedictine Order spread in a short time and already numbered twenty-five Houses in Italy when its Founder died in 1267, at the age of ninety.

Mass: Os justi. Of Abbots.
Commemoration: Saint Peter of Alexandria.

The following Text is from VULTUS CHRISTI

Communion from The Hands of Our Lady.

The most famous Marian prodigy in his life took place when, of a night, The Blessed Virgin appeared to him in a dream and said, “Sylvester, dost thou desire to receive The Body of my Son ?”

With trepidation, he answered, “My heart is ready, Oh, Lady; let it be done unto me according to thy word.”

What I find most extraordinary is that Saint Sylvester, being a Monk already steeped in The Word of God through the familiar repetition of it in The Sacred Liturgy, answered Our Blessed Lady in two phrases already held and pondered within her Immaculate Heart.

The first phrase, taken from Psalm 107:2 — “Paratum cor meum Deus paratum cor meum” — “My heart is ready, Oh, God, my heart is ready” is the perfect act of preparation for Holy Communion.

The second phrase is Our Blessed Lady’s own acquiescence to The Mystery of The Incarnation, as recorded in Luke 1:30 — “Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum” — “Be it done to me according to thy word”. Receiving her very own words from the lips of her servant, Sylvester, The Mother of God gave him Holy Communion.

Claudio Ridolfi painted the episode in 1632.

Sunday, 8 December 2019. 0900 hrs. Pontifical Mass At The Throne On The Feast Of The Immaculate Conception. At Holy Name Heights Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

Illustration: FR. Z's BLOG

First Mass For The Institute Of Christ The King Sovereign Priest, Fortwilliam And Macrory Church, Antrim Road, Belfast.

Fortwilliam and Macrory Church, Antrim Road, Belfast,

the new home for The Institute of Christ The King Sovereign Priest, in Belfast.

First Mass on Wednesday, 11 December 2019, 1800 hrs.

Illustration: CATHOLIC IRELAND.NET

This Article is taken from, and can be read in full at,

THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY RC DIOCESE OF MIDDLESBROUGH

The first Mass at The Institute's newly-acquired Church in Belfast

will take pl;ace at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, 11 December 2019.

It will be a Solemn High Mass Celebrated by Mgr Wach, Prior General

of The Institute Of Christ The King Sovereign Priest, and in the presence of

His Lordship Noel Treanor, Bishop of Down and Connor.

Saint Catharine Of Alexandria. Virgin And Martyr. Patroness Of Philosophers, Scholars, Orators, Lawyers. Feast Day 25 November.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

Saint Catharine of Alexandria.
   Virgin and Martyr.
   Feast Day 25 November.

Double.

Red Vestments.

Note: "Catharine" can also be spelled "Catherine".

Saint Catharine of Alexandria.

Image: ALL SAINTS

"The illustrious Virgin, Catharine," says The Roman Breviary, "was born at Alexandria. Having, from youth, combined the study of the liberal arts with the ardour of Faith, she soon rose to high perfection, both in Doctrine and in Holiness, and, at the age of eighteen, she surpassed the most learned.

"She rebuked the Emperor Maximian for tormenting the Christians, and he, filled with admiration for her learning, assembled from all parts the most learned men, to bring her over from The Faith of Jesus to the worship of idols. The contrary happened, for several were converted to Christianity by the cogency of her arguments."

Maximian then ordered her to be scourged with rods and with whips weighted with lead. Then he had her tied to wheels armed with sharp swords. But the machine broke down and the tyrant caused her to be beheaded.

She died about 310 A.D.

Saint Catharine of Alexandria is one of the FOURTEEN AUXILIARY SAINTS

Christian philosophers, scholars, orators and lawyers honour her as their Patroness.

Mount Sinai, where the body of Saint Catharine was carried by Angels, is also the place where God's ministering Angels brought His Law to Moses.

Let us, with The Church, invoke the intercession of Saint Catharine, so that we may reach Jesus, The Law-Giver of our Souls (Collect).

Mass: Loquébar.

Portrait of Catharine of Alexandria.

Artist: Bernardino Luini

Date: 16th-Century.

Source: National Art Museum of Azerbaijan

Author: Bernardino Luini (1485–1532).

(Wikimedia Commons)

The following Text is taken from "The Liturgical Year", by Abbot Guéranger, O.S.B.
Book VI.
Volume 15.

Saint Gertrude The Great, from her very infancy, felt a special attraction towards the glorious Virgin, Saint Catharine. As she was desirous of knowing how great were her merits, Our Lord showed her Saint Catharine seated on a throne, so lofty and so magnificent, that it seemed her glory was sufficient to have filled The Courts of Heaven, had she been its sole Queen; while, from her Crown, a marvellous brightness was reflected on her devout clients [Legatus divinae pietatis, iv. 57].

It is well known how The Maid of Orleans (Saint Joan of Arc), entrusted by Saint Michael to the guidance of Saint Catharine and Saint Margaret, received aid and counsel from them during seven years; and how it was, at Sainte-Catherine-de-Fierbois, France, that she received her sword.

In the 12th-Century and the 13th-Century, the Crusaders of The West experienced the powerful assistance of The Alexandrian Martyr; and, on their return from The East, they introduced her cultus, which soon became extremely popular.

English: Catholic Church of Saint Catharine, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Русский: Санкт-Петербург, Россия. Невский проспект.

Католическая церковь св. Екатерины.

Photo: 1 June 2012.

Source: Own work.

Author: A.Savin.

(Wikimedia Commons)

An Order of Knighthood was founded to protect the Pilgrims visiting her Holy Body on Mount Sinai. Her Feast was raised to the Rank of First-Class and, as observed, was a Holyday of Obligation by many Churches.

She was honoured as Patroness by Christian philosophers, scholars, orators, and attorneys. The Senior Advocate was called bastonier, because it was his privilege to carry her Banner, while Confraternities of young girls were formed under the invocation of Saint Catharine, whose Members vied with one another in their zeal for adorning her venerated image.

She was classed among The Helping Saints (Auxiliary Saints. There being Fourteen Auxiliary Saints), as being a Wise Counsellor; and was claimed as Patroness by various Associations, merely on account of their experience of her powerful intercession with Our Lord. Her betrothal with The Divine Child, and other scenes from her legend, furnished Christian art with many beautiful inspirations.

English: Cathedral of Saint Catharine (Se Cathedral), Goa, India.

Portuguese: Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina.

Konkani: Bhagevont Katerinachi Katedral.

Photo: 16 August 2012.

Source: Own work.

Author: Abhiomkar

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina, known as Se Cathedral, is the Cathedral of The Latin Rite Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, and The Seat of The Patriarch of the East Indies.

Located in Old Goa, India, the largest Church in India is dedicated to Saint Catharine of Alexandria. It is one of the oldest and most celebrated Religious Buildings in Goa and is one of the largest Churches in Asia.

The holy and learned Baronius regretted that, even in his day, the Acts of the Great Oriental Martyr (Saint Catharine) were open to discussion on certain points, which were eagerly seized upon by the extreme critics of the succeeding Centuries, in order to lessen popular devotion towards her.

There remains, however, this glory to Christian Virginity, that, in the person of Saint Catharine, it was honoured by pupils and masters and became the guiding spirit in the development of human thought during the Centuries, illustrated by such brilliant Suns of Learning as Albert the Great, Thomas Aquinas, and Bonaventure.

'Blessed are the Clean of Heart, for they shall see God.' Methodius, a Bishop and Martyr of the 3rd-Century, thus speaks in his 'Banquet of Virgins': 'The Virgin must have a very great love of sound Doctrine; and she ought to hold an honourable place among the wise.'

THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL

THE SAINT ANDREW DAILY MISSAL

Available (in U.K.) from

CENACLE CATHOLIC BOOKS

Available (in U.S.A.) from

ST. BONAVENTURE PUBLICATIONS

Saint Chrysogonus. Martyr. Feast Day, Today, 24 November.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Chrysogonus.
   Martyr.
   Feast Day 24 November.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

English: Saint Chrysogonus on horseback.

Français: Saint Chrysogone d'Aquilée à cheval.

Italiano: San Crisógono a caballo.

Artist: Michele Giambono (1400–1462).

Date: Circa 1450.

Collection: San Trovaso (Dedicated to Saints Gervasius and Protasius)

is a Church in the Sestiere, or neighbourhood, of Dorsoduro, Venice, Italy.

Photo: 22 May 2017.

Source: Own work.

Photographer: Didier Descouens

This File is Licensed under The Creative Commons Attribution

-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

(Wikimedia Commons)

“The birth in Heaven,”, says The Roman Martyrology, “of Saint Chrysogonus, Martyr, who, after having been long in chains, and in prison for The Faith of Christ, having endured these torments with the greatest fortitude, was taken to Aquileia, Italy, by Order of Emperor Diocletian, and there beheaded and thrown into the sea. Such was his glorious Martyrdom.”

Saint Chrysogonus is mentioned in The Canon of The Mass, and, in his Church at Rome, is held The Station on Monday in Passion Week.

Mass: In virtúte.

Basilica of Saint Chrysogonus,

Trastevere, Rome, Italy.

Photo: September 3006.

Source: Own work.

Author: Lalupa

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint John Of The Cross (San Juan De La Cruz). Confessor And Doctor Of The Church. Feast Day 24 November.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint John Of The Cross.
   Confessor.
   Doctor Of The Church.
   Feast Day 24 November.

Double.

White Vestments.

English: Statue of Saint John of The Cross (Right),

The Chapel of the Convent of The Barefoot Carmelites, Segovia, Spain.

The Statue (Left) is Saint Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi, O.Carm.

Español: Segovia - Convento de los Carmelitas Descalzos,

Capilla de San Juan de la Cruz.

Photo: 19 March 2017.

Source: Own work.

Author: Zarateman

(Wikimedia Commons)

After Commemorating Saint Teresa of Ávila, who reformed The Order of Mount Carmel, The Church, on this day, honours Saint John of The Cross, who gave her his powerful help in this great work. It was through him that Saint Teresa introduced The Primitive Observance among The Friars of Carmel, as she had done for the Nuns.

He was, in the judgement of The Holy See, the equal of Saint Teresa of Ávila in explaining Divine Mysteries.

“John of The Cross,” said Saint Teresa, “was one of the purest Souls in The Church; God endowed him with great treasures of light, and his understanding was replete with the science of Saints.”

Statues of Saint John of The Cross and Saint Teresa of Ávila

in La Plaza de Las Carmelitas, Beas de Segura, Spain.

Photo: 24 May 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: Cosasdebeas

(Wikimedia Commons)

Born in Old Castile in 1542, he took the name of “John of The Cross” on entering The Order of The Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel. He had a great devotion to The Passion of Our Lord and his most conspicuous virtue was an abnegation so perfect that he sought after suffering and humiliation (Collect).

He often besought God not to let him pass a day without suffering and to permit him to die where he would be unknown to all. His Prayer was fully heard, for the reform of The Order of Carmel caused him many troubles.

Struck down at Ubeda, Spain, by a cruel disease, he died embracing The Crucifix and exclaiming: “Glory to God,” This was in 1591. He was proclaimed a Doctor of The Church by Pope Pius XI and, by Decree of 24 November 1926, his Mass was altered to the present one.

Mass: In médio.

Commemoration: Saint Chrysogonus.

Saint Felicitas. Martyr. Whose Feast Day Is, Today, 23 November.

Text is from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless stated otherwise.

Saint Felicitas.
   Martyr.
   Feast Day 23 November.

Simple.

Red Vestments.

Saint Felicitas with her Seven Sons.

Illustration from The Nuremberg Chronicle,

by Hartmann Schedel (1440-1514).

This File: 2 January 2006.

Source: http://www.beloit.edu/~nurember/book/images/

People/Early_Christian_Medieval/index.htm

User: Chris 73

(Wikimedia Commons)

"At Rome," says The Roman Martyrology, "Saint Felicitas, the mother of seven Martyred sons, who was beheaded after them for The Faith of Christ, by Order of The Emperor Marcus Antoninus." She died in 150 A.D.

Mass: Me exspectavérunt.

Saint Clement I. Pope And Martyr. Feast Day, Today, 23 November.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

Saint Clement I.
   Pope and Martyr.
   Feast Day 23 November.

Double.

Red Vestments.

Illustration: TRANSALPINE REDEMPTORISTS

Saint Clement, a successor of Saint Peter, is named third in The Canon of The Mass, after The Apostles.

The Letter of Saint Clement to The Corinthians is one of the most precious documents of the earliest Christian Centuries.

Following the affirmation of Origen, The Roman Breviary confuses this Saint Clement with another Clement, an auxiliary of Saint Paul. Wherefore, the Epistle chosen is that in which The Apostle speaks of the Clement who worked with him for the Gospel and whose name is written in The Book of Life.

On the testimony of The Greek Acts of Saint Clement, dating from the 4th-Century A.D., The Roman Martyrology likewise declares that "relegated to Chersonese during Trajan's persecution, he at last won the glorious Crown of Martyrdom, having been cast into the sea with an anchor attached to his neck." "His body," it adds, "was carried to Rome, under the Pontificate of Pope Nicholas I and Solemnly laid in the Church which had been built in his memory."

English: Basilica of Saint Clement, Rome.

Italian: Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano.

Photo: May 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Berthold Werner

(Wikimedia Commons)

Interior of the Basilica di San Clemente, Rome, Italy.

Photo: March 2006.

Source: Own work.

Author: Sixtus

Permission: GFDL

(Wikimedia Commons)

This Church, where The Station is held on The Monday of The Second Week in Lent, is one of the most interesting in Rome, because it most faithfully represents the ancient Plan of a Roman Basilica. It has, in front, an Atrium, or Courtyard, surrounded by Porticoes, with the Fountain in the centre, where the Faithful cleansed themselves before entering The Holy Building, and which is recalled by our Holy Water Stoups and Baptismal Fonts at the entrance of our Churches.

The Interior comprises three Naves, separated by Columns; the central Nave contains the Ambos, or Pulpits, where the Epistle and Gospel are read. The Lateral Naves were reserved, one for men, the other for women.

The Ceiling of the Basilica of Saint Clement, Rome.

Photo: May 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Berthold Werner

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Cyril and Saint Methodius bring the body of Saint Clement to Rome.

11th-Century fresco in the Basilica di San Clemente, Rome.

Source/Photographer: Unknown.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Behind the Altar, at the back of the Apse, stands the Bishop's Chair, around which was grouped the Clergy. It is the only Church which gives such a clear account of the distinctions made among Christians.

In the first precinct, were admitted Catechumens and Penitents, who could only be present at the first part of The Mass (from the Introit to the Offertory), thence called Mass of the Catechumens. In the second part were the Faithful, who heard the second part of The Mass (from the Offertory to the end), thence called Mass of the Faithful. In the Apse, was the place reserved for Priests, whence it is called Presbyterium. Christian architecture thus showed forth the hierarchy established by Divine Right in The Church.

Mass: Dicit Dóminus.
Commemoration: Saint Felicitas.

Embroidered Antependia. A Further Approach (By Davis d'Ambly).

This Article, dated 20 November 2017, is taken from, and can be read in full at,
LITURGICAL ARTS JOURNAL

Illustration: LITURGICAL ARTS JOURNAL

Shawn Tribe’s recent Posts on the usefulness of Altar Frontals, or Antependia, brought to mind the teaching aspects of Liturgical Colours and perhaps we can take it one step further: The richness of symbolism used on such Frontals – in these cases, the embroidery.

Here are several examples from one (Episcopal/Anglican) Church – Saint Mark’s Church, Locust Street, Philadelphia – produced during the first decade of the 20th-Century by three different “Schools” of embroidery.

Each example was created for use in the new Lady Chapel added to the Church, by Rodman Wanamaker, as a place for the tomb of his recently-departed wife, Fernanda Henry Wanamaker.

Overwhelmed with grief at the sudden death of his wife, he commissioned the elaborate furnishings of the Chapel in 1900. The first four examples were all designed by the noted Church Designer, Charles Eamer Kempe, and were produced by The Community of Saint John the Baptist (Anglican) in 1902-1904.

The Sisters kept careful notes of their projects, listing the number of yards of Silk and skeins of embroidery threads for each piece they made -- including the number of hours of labour. The Sisters produced embroidery as a way of supporting their mission of rescuing “Fallen Women” and they continued working for Kempe and Company from 1878-1920.

For a Chapel Dedicated to The Blessed Virgin Mary, the White Frontal has Fleurs-de-Lys in profusion, as well as Crowned Monogrammes of Our Lady.

The Red Frontal has a superb standing figure of The Madonna and Child surrounded by Demi-Angels in adoration, scattered among them are numerous Stars. alluding to Mary’s Hebrew name – Miriam.

The Black Frontal, used for Requiems and All Souls’ Day, even today, 113 years later, does not make reference to The Blessed Virgin Mary, but has inscriptions referring to “The Faithful Departed”.

The last in this group is the curious “Passiontide” Blue Frontal – again, the references are to Passiontide, not The Blessed Virgin Mary – small Shields, with implements of The Passion, are shown, and a Verse from a Passiontide Hymn is on The Super-Frontal. Two hanging decorative Panels, called “Apparels”, overlay the Antependium, itself – an unusual treatment.

The use of Blue for Passiontide was unusual, even in Anglican circles, but was probably a response to what is known, humorously, as the “British Museum School” of Liturgical Colours. The Frontal has, nonetheless, a subtle beauty.

Another workshop, utilised by Wanamaker, was The Maison Henry of Lyon (Mrs Wanamaker’s family owned this company). Little is known of the embroidery produced by (for ?) Maison Henry, but their Silk, and Cloth-of-Gold fabrics and Vestments, are well known and in wide use, and many examples are known today.

We do not have a precise date, but it was included in the inventory of 1906, so it must pre-date that year. It consists of Cloth-of-Silver, with a Cartouche in the centre depicting The Madonna and Child enthroned, surrounded by Cherubs; the Cartouche is surrounded by embroidered Roses and Lilies in Bullion embroidery. Perhaps the most striking design element is the use of what were called “Blister Pearls” that nearly cover the surface.

Our final example is perhaps the loveliest of all. This Green Frontal is so heavily embroidered that it is rather hard to identify the Liturgical colour.

The design is by the noted architect and designer, Sir J. Ninian Comper, and was produced by the workrooms of The Sisters of Bethany (Anglican) in 1904. These Sisters also relied on the embroidery they produced to support their work, and Comper, “a devoted young artist,” was to design for them from 1886 to, circa, 1950.

The scene, and it is an almost theatrical scene, is of Our Lady holding The Divine Child under an Arbour of “Lily” vines, above which are Doves in flight. Behind The Blessed Virgin Mary, four Angels hold a Cloth-of-Honour, powdered with Fleurs-de-Lys, while four attending Angels play musical instruments.

The Holy Child reaches playfully for a Peach offered by one of the Angels, and scattered across the whole scene are Rose Blossoms. Comper was to re-use this design as a Painted Retablo [Editor: A Devotional Painting] in 1907 for a Church in Kent, England, and is considered to be one of his finest works.

These are just a few examples of the art of embroidery at the service of Liturgical Design – beauty at the service of The Church.

Davis d'Ambly is a Liturgical Artist working for The Church in various Media since 1974.

In addition, the following was a Post by Zephyrinus on 31 January 2017, which Readers may find of interest in relation to the above Article.

Altar Frontal (Antependium) designed by Charles Eamer Kempe.

Illustration: MEDIEVAL CHURCH ART

Altar Frontal (Antependium) designed by Charles Eamer Kempe.

Illustration: MEDIEVAL CHURCH ART

Altar Frontal (Antependium) designed by Charles Eamer Kempe.

Illustration: MEDIEVAL CHURCH ART

Altar Frontal (Antependium) designed by Charles Eamer Kempe.

Illustration: MEDIEVAL CHURCH ART

Stained-Glass Window in The West Window of The South Transept of Bristol Cathedral, featuring, from Left: King Alfred the Great; the writer Richard Hakluyt; the Priest and Theologian, Richard Hooker; the Playwright and Poet, William Shakespeare. The entry on the window in the Cathedral's Inventory reads as follows:

Inv. no.22; M.S. S12. Window, South Transept; West Window; English; C.E. Kempe, circa 1905. Stained- and Painted-Glass. 1a. ALFREDUS REX, holding scroll, 1b. RICARDUS HAKLUYT PREB, 1c. RICARD HOOKER PREB, 1d. GULIELMUS SHAKESPEARE. In the Transom, Tudor Roses and the Sun in splendour. 2a. King David with Harp and Scroll: CANTATE..., 2b. EZRA SCRIBA DEI, 2c. S.LUCAS EVAN, 2d. S.PAULUS APOST.

In the Tracery, Angel Musicians.

In Memory of Alfred Ainger, Canon 1887–1903.

Date: Circa 1905.

Source: Bristol Cathedral

Author: Charles Eamer Kempe

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Cecilia. Virgin And Martyr. Feast Day, Today, 22 November.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal,
unless otherwise stated.

Saint Cecilia.
   Virgin and Martyr.
   Feast Day 22 November.

Double.

Red Vestments.

Saint Cecilia.

Church of Saint Cecilia, Trastevere, Rome, Italy.

In the sculpture, by Stefano Maderno (1576-1636), Saint Cecilia extends three fingers with her Right Hand and one with her Left Hand, testifying to The Trinity. The sculptor attested that this was how the Saint's body looked when her tomb was opened in 1599.

Photographed at the Church of Saint Cecilia, Trastevere, Rome, Italy, by Richard Stracke.

Please credit the photographer and the Church.

Date: 26 September 2011 (original upload date).

Source: Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by

User:ТимофейЛееСуда using CommonsHelper

Author: Dickstracke at en.wikipedia

(Wikimedia Commons)

Born at Rome, of the illustrious family of the Coecilli,, Cecilia, as a child, consecrated her Virginity to God. When she was forced to marry Valerian, a young pagan, she said to him on the night of the wedding: "Valerian, I am placed under the guardianship of an Angel, who protects my Virginity; therefore, do not attempt anything which may bring down on thee God's anger."

Valerian dared not approach her and declared that he would believe in Jesus Christ if he saw the Angel. Cecilia assured him that this was impossible unless he was first Baptised, and sent him to Pope Urban I, who lived hidden in The Catacombs, on account of the persecutions.

Pope Urban I Baptised him and Valerian saw, near his Virginal Spouse, an Angel, brilliant with a Divine Light. Cecilia also instructed Tiburtius, the brother of Valerian, in the Faith of Jesus Christ, and Tiburtius, having been Baptised, also saw Cecilia's Angel. A short time after, both brothers were Martyred under the Prefect Almachius.

The Church of Saint Cecilia, Trastevere, Rome, Italy.

The body of The Saint lies beneath The High Altar.

The Station on The Wednesday in The Second Week of Lent is held here.

Illustration: LITURGIA LATINA

Finally, the last-named arrested Cecilia and ordered her to be put to death in her house. This was about 230 A.D.

Her body was discovered in 1599 by Cardinal Sfondrati, just as it was at the moment of her death. Stefano Maderno sculptured a famous reproduction of the body, which is seen under The High Altar of her Church in Rome.

Her house was transformed into a Church, where her body lies. For many Centuries, a number of Virgins of The Order of Saint Benedict have watched over this treasure. The Church is one of the two ornaments of The Trastevere, the other being Saint Mary's. Here is held The Station on The Wednesday in The Second Week of Lent. The name of Saint Cecilia is mentioned in The Canon of The Mass (Second List).

"To the sound of musical instruments," says The First Antiphon at Vespers, "the Virgin Cecilia sang to God in her heart." On this account, she has been chosen as The Patroness of Musicians.

Mass: Loquébar de testimóniis.