Catholic Crests: Game & Giveaway

Can you match these three ecclesiastics of the Church with their embroidered Coat of Arms?

• Cardinal Giuseppe Betori - Archbishop of Florence, Italy
• Bishop Edward Rice - Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis
• Carinal Raymond Leo Burke - Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura

Leave your guesses in the combox before June 9. Correct guesses will be entered to win a Copper Fleur de Lis Key Fob. 

WINER UPDATE:

CONGRATULATIONS to Tom G. - chosen randomly from correct guesses to Ecclesiastic Crests below. Your fleur-de lis key fob prize will be sent to you in the mail, Tom! From top to bottom: Bishop Rice, Cardinal Betori, and Cardinal Burke. Thanks to all for participating!

Now, let the games begin!

Crest #1 

Crest #2

Crest #3

For God and King! - New Vendée Cross Design

The Vendée Cross is perhaps, one of the most frequently forgotten symbols in the historical study of our Catholic Faith and world history. In fact, the secularization of society has warranted that the very men who fought under this brilliant image of heavenly victory and protection should be forgotten in an attempt to shroud the persecution of the Church & Catholic Royalists in French Revolution studies. But not so in Catholic circles!

Original Vendee Cross patch, often worn by Vendean soldiers to show for Whom they fought:
"For God and King!"

Our new embroidery design is made to replicate the original Vendée Cross designs that were stitched and penned by faithful French Catholics over 200 years ago, with a classic new take on an old look. The gold halo, which is often incorporated as a glow in Vendée Cross drawings is echoed in the use of bright gold metallic thread. And of course, an exact copy of the originally penned "Dieu le Roi" only furthers in solid stitches the indelibility of this phrase for time and eternity, "For God and King". 

Our New Signature Vendee Cross Design

From The War in the Vendée by George J. Hill:

On entering the battle, most of the peasants made the sign of the cross. They used to march with their rosary beads in their hands, and recite them as they went along. In the evenings, on halting for the night, the whole camp often joined in the same devotion. Before any great engagement, they heard Mass; and on capturing any town or village, they repaired to the churches. They were frequently known to kneel down on the field of battle itself, beneath a hot fire and in the very moment of success, on passing a wayside cross. Throughout the long and disastrous war with which their country was ravaged, the restoration of the Catholic faith was their one object; nor did they make peace till it had been attained. The very existence, therefore, of the Vendean army was a standing protest against the infidel spirit of the revolution.

New: Marian Lilies of the Valley Design & Afghan

"What better design to add to our collection this month of Mary than a new Marian design?
Introducing: Marian Lilies of the Valley

The blue and gold of Our Lady's initial come together in the folds of a cluster of lilies of the valley. One can almost see these bell-like white flowers toll as they surround the Queen of Heaven.

Queen of the Family Afghan

Combining our new design with the often forgotten addition to the Litany or Loretto, "Queen of the family, pray for us!" this afghan is the perfect way to honor Our Lady in the home and ask for her constant motherly protection on all within it's folds. For more details, visit Queen of the Family Afghan.

When introducing our new product, Elizabeth Foss, Catholic mother and author, appropriately writes: "perfect for chilly porch evenings in May, cold morning soccer games, and nights on the beach all summer."

Italian Communion Remembrance

So far, we've seen our Catholic embroidery in English, Latin, German, and now - Italian. This First Holy Communion remembrance was embroidered for a young lady of Italian descent. Embroidered on the finest of white cotton in a ready-to-frame fashion, this embroidered art features the young lady's name, date of the First Communion, and all of the particulars; the beauty of the Italian language taking form in the threads of golden metallic designs.

Project: Valiant Woman Pillow

Here's an example of how a family took our custom services to heart and home in the making of this lovely Valiant Woman pillow:

A gift for their grandmother on Mother's Day, this pillow was certainly a beautiful way to express generations of admiration for the devotion of one woman to God and her family.

Where would YOU like to see this verse? On an apron? Framable art? Kitchen valance curtain? Leave your ideas in the comment box!

Proverbs 31:

Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.

The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils. She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands. She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar. And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.

She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard. She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm. She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night. She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle. She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.

She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments. She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple is her covering. Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land. She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite. Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.

She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue. She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle. Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her. Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.

In the Service of St. Peter

Priest's initials embroidered on a stole for Gardiner Hall Restoration

"The giving of the stole to the candidate at ordination in Rome was intended to convey a double symbolism; first, that the elevation to the clergy of the Roman Church occurred de benedictione S. Petri, and secondly that by ordination the candidate entered the service of St. Peter, that is of the Roman Church." Catholic Encyclopedia

St. Thérèse & First Communicants

"How sweet was the first embrace of Jesus! It was indeed an embrace of love. I felt that I was loved, and I said: “I love Thee, and I give myself to Thee for ever.” Jesus asked nothing of me, and claimed no sacrifice; for a long time He and little Thérèse had known and understood one another. That day our meeting was more than simple recognition, it was perfect union. We were no longer two. Thérèse had disappeared like a drop of water lost in the immensity of the ocean; Jesus alone remained–He was the Master,the King! Had not Thérèse asked Him to take away her liberty which frightened her? She felt herself so weak and frail, that she wished to be for ever united to the Divine Strength." ~St. Thérèse on her First Communion day, taken from The Story of a Soul


Catholic tradition holds that the prayers offered by a First Communicant while receiving the Blessed Sacrament for the first time will never be denied. Perhaps it's time to find a First Communicant this month and entrust them with our heavenward petitions!

An embroidered handkerchief for a very special First Communicant

"What about the boys?" One Catholic mother solved the answer to this question with a unique and subtle approach: embroidered ties. A small monstrance, initials, and date were all embroidered on this pewter tie in matching thread - a special remembrance for a special boy on his First Holy Communion.

Do you have a First Communicant this year in your circle of family and friends? 

Maniturgium

UPDATE: We've added a maniturgium to our list of products! Tu es Sacerdos in Aeternum - click here

Though we have various altar linen embroidery projects throughout the year, when the season of ordinations approaches, requests for an ordination-related linen becomes a regularity . This single piece of linen unites the newly ordained priest with his mother. And, the embroidery itself often reflects the most perfect of unions of Son and Mother, with references to Our Lady, as shown in the image below. This special piece of linen is called: a Maniturgium.

What is a maniturgium?

MANITURGIUM: A fine linen cloth, often embroidered with fine lace or some insignia, used by a newly ordained priest after annointing with holy oils. It was removed from the Rite of Ordination but is often still used by the newly ordained when they return to the sacristy to clean their hands. This MANITURGIUM is then put aside by the priest to be used to place in the hands of his deceased mother before burial." (The Church Visible" by James-Charles Noonan, Jr.)

St. Joseph the Worker

St. Joseph Portrait Design

Happy Feast of St. Joseph the Worker!

As Catholics, we know May 1st to be the beginning of the Month of Mary. While this truly is the beginning of a month-long commemoration of Our Lady, this first day of May is also the feast of her beloved spouse, the dear foster-father of Jesus - St. Joseph.

Here at Catholic Embroidery, we never tire of excuses to honor our father, St. Joseph. And, while we cannot boast the talent of carpentry, we can relate to the effort and love put into the work of our hands. On this feast of St. Joseph, we pray for his continual guidance in our family's business and in your own lives and work. 

To honor St. Joseph, we have created two signature embroidery - one displaying his Heart with the lilies of purity and the other Portrait Sketch of our dear saint cradling the Child Jesus in his arms. 

ITE AD JOSEPH