A Rose by any other name, but Pink

Twice a year, the Church breaks the tone of its penitential seasons by the use of rose-coloured vestments.  Rose-coloured vestments were never commonplace and they still are not.  Nevertheless, you will find various pronouncements these days (usually on websites) about what the real or authentic shade of rose is which is to be used for vestments.

Newsflash: there is no official shade of Rose designated by the Church, nor has there ever been.  One reason for this is rather simple: only in the nineteenth century did the process of dyeing fabric become sufficiently sophisticated to ensure that much the same shade of a colour emerged from one batch of fabric dyeing to another.

Many different colours have been deemed by the Church as acceptable as liturgical Rose.  Some of these are a salmon shade; some a silvery-pink, almost mushroom-colour; some close to what we would call Bishop's purple or fuchsia.

Another thing is certain: Bubblegum Pink is not Rose, nor has it been a traditional variation for use on these days. Whilst not intending to get into the argument as to whether the use of pink (be it vibrant or subdued) is a fitting colour for a man to wear, Bubblegum Pink certainly manifests a lamentable lack of liturgical good taste. And yet we find so many pink vestments for sale from ecclesiastical suppliers etc.

 Pope Paul VI greeting a priest
after Mass in Saint Peter's on Laetare Sunday 1978.
Both are wearing rose 

chasubles made from dupion silk.
Image: L'Osservatore Romano

Adjacent are two pictures of another shade of Rose. These are sets of vestments worn by Pope Paul VI on Laetare Sunday, 1978. The vestments are made from dupion silk of a very subdued silvery-rose.  Ornamenting them is a column-orphrey almost fuchsia in colour.  Sadly, these vestments have not been seen in Papal Masses of recent years:  lamentable sets of brighter pink vestments, of rather unimaginative fabric and design, have been used instead (not to be looked at before breakfast).

Rose Vestments in the Gothic Revival Style

Although Gaudete Sunday last for just one day in Advent, the Studio is pleased to feature other rose-coloured vestments over the next several days.

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

This set of vestments is made from dupion silk in a deeper shade of rose and lined in a lighter rose shade of taffeta. 

The orphrey of this chasuble is formed from one of the Saint Bede Studio's unique  braids called Rose Antiqua.  This lovely braid, which has been designed especially for use with Rose and Indigo-violet vestments, is not in our usual Gothic Revival style, but is based on Arts & Crafts themes, with stylised flowers.  

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

Gaudete Sunday 2024

On Gaudete Sunday in this Holy Season of Advent, the Studio is pleased to feature these rose-coloured vestments, made from dupion silk and lined in a silver-grey shade of taffeta. 

The orphrey of this chasuble is formed from one of the Saint Bede Studio's unique  braids called Saint Edmund.  This lovely braid, based on the designs of AWN Pugin, is available in three different colour-ways.

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

Gothic Revival vestments : Our unique braids : 4

The vestments glimpsed in this post - a chasuble set - were made from dupion silk in a deep and lovely shade of rose and were fully-lined in a beige-coloured taffeta.  The Saint Bede Studio has made similar vestments on several occasions now and the combination of colours has been found very attractive by our customers.

The vestments are ornamented with one of the Studio's unique braids; it is called Saint George.  Saint George braid has burgundy-coloured roundels, within which is a stylised mediaeval Cross, which is augmented with a central flower.  Between the roundels are other devices which form a stylised crown.  The braid is outlined with stripes of smaller quatrefoils.  The base colour of the braid is a vibrant red; the ornaments are formed from the colour platinum and burgundy is used for contrast.

  

In the attached images, you may notice how this braid is arranged : the greatest care is taken with all our vestments to ensure that braids are precisely and harmoniously aligned, not cutting away design elements.  This very popular orphrey braid we have used on vestments of the liturgical colours white, red, purple, violet, rose and soft gold with great success.

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

Rose Vestments : 3

 

Section of a Gothic chasuble made from a distinctive rose-coloured dupion silk and ornamented with the Studio's braid Saint George in colours of red, burgundy and taup.

The Saint Bede Studio produces Rose-coloured vestments in various shades of rose fabric ... none being "Barbie Pink".

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

Rose Vestments : 2

 

Section of a Rose chasuble made from dupion silk and ornamented with the Studio's braid Saint Dunstan in colours of red, taup and violet.

The Saint Bede Studio produces Rose-coloured vestments in various shades of rose fabric ... none being "Barbie Pink".

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

Rose vestments : 1

 

Section of a chasuble made from a silken fabric in a shade of silvery-rose and ornamented with the Studio's braid "Saint Edmund" in colours of silver, red and purple.

The Saint Bede Studio produces Rose-coloured vestments in various shades of rose fabric ... none being "Barbie Pink".

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

Gaudete Sunday 2023

Twice a year, the Church breaks the tone of its penitential seasons by the use of rose-coloured vestments. 

Rose-coloured vestments were never commonplace and they still are not.  Many different colours have been deemed by the Church as acceptable as liturgical rose.  Some of these are a salmon shade; some a silvery-pink, almost mushroom-colour; some close to what we would call Bishop's purple or fuchsia; and some red with overtones of gold.

The vestments depicted in this post were made for a returning customer in the United States and are according to a form of Gothic Revival which we designate Saint Benet.

These vestments were made from dupion silk in a quite lovely shade of rose.  This dupion silk is distinctive for having weaves of two complementary shades, which appear different at alternative angles.  The photographs accompanying this post shew these differing appearances.  The vestments were fully lined in a taup-coloured taffeta.  

The ornament was formed from a braid from the range of the Studio's unique offerings, called Saint George.  The braid is in the colour of platinum and burgundy, upon a crimson background.  A narrow galloon outlines the perimeter of the chasuble.  Both these braids are derived from the designs of AWN Pugin.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Enquiries : At this page.

Please note that posts on this blog are set-up for optimal viewing via a web-browser, not via a mobile phone.

AMDG

A Rose by any other name but Pink

Figure 1. Pope Paul VI in 1978

wearing a rose chasuble 

made from dupion silk.
Image: L'Osservatore Romano

Twice a year, the Church breaks the tone of its penitential seasons by the use of rose-coloured vestments.  Rose-coloured vestments were never commonplace and they still are not.  Nevertheless, you will find various pronouncements these days (usually on websites) about what the real or authentic shade of rose is which is to be used for vestments.

Newsflash: there is no official shade of Rose designated by the Church, nor has there ever been.  One reason for this is rather simple: only in the nineteenth century did the process of dyeing fabric become sufficiently sophisticated to ensure that much the same shade of a colour emerged from one batch of fabric dyeing to another.

Many different colours have been deemed by the Church as acceptable as liturgical Rose.  Some of these are a salmon shade; some a silvery-pink, almost mushroom-colour; some close to what we would call Bishop's purple or fuchsia.

Another thing is certain: Bubblegum Pink is not Rose, nor has it been a traditional variation for use on these days. Whilst not intending to get into the argument as to whether the use of pink (be it vibrant or subdued) is a fitting colour for a man to wear, Bubblegum Pink certainly manifests a lamentable lack of liturgical good taste. And yet we find so many pink vestments for sale from ecclesiastical suppliers etc.

Figure 2. Pope Paul VI greeting a priest
after Mass in Saint Peter's on Laetare Sunday 1978.
Both are wearing rose 

chasubles made from dupion silk.
Image: L'Osservatore Romano

At an old post on the Blog, The New Liturgical Movement, we find a number of interesting vestments in that shade of Rose commonly found in Italy in centuries past: a salmon colour.  Go there and take a look.  But don't be mistaken about that particular shade of Rose being universal: it was used in Italy, but probably not much elsewhere.

Adjacent are two pictures of another shade of Rose.  These are sets of vestments worn by Pope S. Paul VI on Laetare Sunday, 1978. The vestments are made from dupion silk of a very subdued silvery-rose.  Ornamenting them is a column-orphrey almost fuchsia in colour.  Sadly, these vestments have not been seen in Papal Masses since :  lamentable sets of brighter pink vestments, of rather unimaginative fabric and design, have been used instead.

Below is an image of a set of Rose vestments made by the Saint Bede Studio of similar colour to the vestments of S. Paul VI.

AMDG

Gaudete Sunday 2022

The Studio recently provided this simple set of Rose vestments to an esteemed customer in New Jersey (USA).

This vestment is made from a dusty shade of rose fabric and is ornamented with a column, front and back.  The ornament is formed from silver dupion silk and one of the Studio's unique braids Saint Edmund (based on a design of AWN Pugin).

The chasuble is unlined, but is faced at the neckline, helping it to sit well and not crumple.   The chasuble is lightweight, has a slight sheen, has good drapery and is comfortable to wear.

This chasuble is part of a range of economy vestments, which we call our Saint Anselm style.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Laetare Sunday 2022

Twice a year, the Church breaks the tone of its penitential seasons by the use of rose-coloured vestments. 

Rose-coloured vestments were never commonplace and they still are not.  Many different colours have been deemed by the Church as acceptable as liturgical rose.  Some of these are a salmon shade; some a silvery-pink, almost mushroom-colour; some close to what we would call Bishop's purple or fuchsia; and some red with overtones of gold.

The vestments were made from dupion silk in a quite lovely shade of rose and fully lined in a taup-coloured taffeta.  The vestments were ornamented with a braid from the range of the Studio's unique offerings, called Saint Dunstan.  The braid is in colours of platinum, violet and white upon a crimson background.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Enquiries : At this page.

Rose Vestments in the Gothic Style

Twice a year, the Church breaks the tone of its penitential seasons by the use of rose-coloured vestments.  Rose-coloured vestments were never commonplace and they still are not.  Many different colours have been deemed by the Church as acceptable as liturgical rose.  Some of these are a salmon shade; some a silvery-pink, almost mushroom-colour; some close to what we would call Bishop's purple or fuchsia; and some red with overtones of gold.

The vestments were made from dupion silk in a quite lovely shade of rose and fully lined in a taup-coloured taffeta.  The vestments were ornamented with a braid from the range of the Studio's unique offerings, called Saint Dunstan.  The braid is in colours of platinum, violet and white upon a crimson background.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Enquiries : At this page.

Laetare Sunday 2021

For an esteemed American customer, the Saint Bede Studio recently completed this distinctive set of Rose vestments.  The set was completed in the Saint Philip Neri style, being the Studio's interpretation of the 16th century form of the chasuble.

These vestments were made from a beautiful silk damask with a lighter rose figured ornament on a ground of green-gold.  The lining of taffeta was selected to match the colour of the damask ground-colour.

Because of the particular characteristics of this damask, a simple ornament was chosen, being an outlining braid arranged in the Roman manner.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com

Gaudete Sunday 2020

The Studio recently provided this simple set of Rose vestments to a young priest from the Archdiocese of Sydney (Australia).

This vestment is made from a dusty shade of rose fabric and is ornamented with a column, front and back.  The ornament is formed from silver dupion silk and one of the Studio's unique braids Saint Edmund (based on a design of AWN Pugin).

The chasuble is unlined, but is faced at the neckline, helping it to sit well and not crumple.   The chasuble is lightweight, has a slight sheen, has good drapery and is comfortable to wear.


This chasuble is part of a range of economy vestments, which we call our Saint Anselm style.

A similar set of vestments in violet for purchase is advertised at this page.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

For Laetare Sunday 2020

Figure 1.

The Saint Bede Studio completed recently a set of Rose vestments for a returning customer from Louisiana USA.  This set was in our style Saint Benet, being derived from the chasuble form re-introduced into England in the 19th century by AWN Pugin.

The chasuble is made from a darker rose-red shade of dupion silk and lined with taffeta in a brighter shade of rose.  The ornament is formed from one of the Studio's newer braids Rose Antiqua, having been developed especially for use with rose and violet vestments.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Enquiries : At this page.

Figure 2

Figure 3.

Figure 4.

A simple set of Rose vestments

The Studio recently provided this simple set of Rose vestments to a returning customer, a young priest from England.

This vestment is made from a dusty shade of rose fabric and is ornamented with a column, front and back.  The ornament is formed from silver dupion silk and one of the Studio's unique braids Saint Edmund (based on a design of AWN Pugin).

The chasuble is unlined, but is faced at the neckline, helping it to sit well and not crumple.   The chasuble is lightweight, has a slight sheen, has good drapery and is comfortable to wear.

Also provided is an amice apparel, shewn in one of the images, which may be worn, or not, according to the preference of the celebrant.

This chasuble is part of a new range of economy vestments, which will be offered for sale by the Studio during 2020.  Simple chasubles with Y-orphreys will also be available.

A similar set of vestments in violet for purchase is advertised at this page.

Enquiries : stbede62@gmail.com

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Priestly Ordinations : 8

Recently, the Studio completed a commission for a newly-ordained priest of the Pontifical North American College, Rome.  Our customer chose to have a set of rose vestments made.

The vestments were made from dupion silk in a quite lovely shade of rose and fully lined in a taup-coloured taffeta.  The vestments were ornamented with a new braid now added to the Studio's unique offerings, called Saint Dunstan.  The braid is in colours of platinum, violet and white upon a crimson background.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Enquiries : At this page.

For Gaudete Sunday 2019

Twice a year, the Church breaks the tone of its penitential seasons by the use of rose-coloured vestments. Rose-coloured vestments were never commonplace and they still are not.

Many different colours have been deemed by the Church as acceptable as liturgical rose. Some of these are a salmon shade; some a silvery-pink, almost mushroom-colour; some close to what we would call Bishop's purple or fuchsia; and some red with overtones of gold.

We are pleased to feature these vestments in the Puginesque style, a commission from a new customer in Canada. The vestments are made from dupion silk in a darker shade of rose and lined in a subtle pink shade of taffeta. The orphrey of this chasuble is formed from our unique braid called Saint George.  

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Enquiries : At this page.

For Laetare Sunday 2019

Twice a year, the Church breaks the tone of its penitential seasons by the use of rose-coloured vestments.  Rose-coloured vestments were never commonplace and they still are not.  Many different colours have been deemed by the Church as acceptable as liturgical rose.  Some of these are a salmon shade; some a silvery-pink, almost mushroom-colour; some close to what we would call Bishop's purple or fuchsia; and some red with overtones of gold.

We are pleased to feature this chasuble set, made from dupion silk and lined in a subtle pink shade of taffeta. The orphrey of this chasuble is formed from a new braid designed by the Studio and called Saint Charles.  The braid has been especially designed for use with Rose and Indigo-violet vestments.

Click on the image for an enlarged view.

Enquiries : At this page.

Gaudete 2018

As Gaudete Sunday approaches, we are pleased to present this set of Rose vestments, made for a returning customer, an Italian prelate.

The vestments were made from a silk brocade in a subtle shade of Rose.  They were ornamented with one of the Studio's unique braids in colours of silver, red and purple.  The taffeta lining was in a shade of silver.  Shewn in the adjacent image, the chasuble was made in the Borromeon form.

Click on the image for an enlarged view.

Enquiries via this page.