St. Pius X & The Immaculate Conception

It seems quite Providential to complete the commissioning of a special linen order as we now begin (tomorrow - November 29!) the novena in preparation for the feast of the Immaculate Conception. What does a linen order and this feast of Our Lady have in common?

Why, St. Piux X, or course! :)

We were privileged to design and embroider the Crest of St. Piux X in sketch-like stitches, to be applied on linens for Holy Mass.

While working with this saintly Pope's coat of arms, we were reminded of those treasures he brought o Holy Mother Church during his papacy. Amongst his care in the souls of little children being allowed to receive Holy Communion, a stalwart fight throughout his Papacy against Modernism, and a heroic dedication toward the teaching of Catechism in all avenues of the Church, Pope St. Pius X was also dedicated toward devotion to Our Lady. It was during his Papacy that the Church celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception. In his encyclical AD DIEM ILLUM LAETISSIMUM, the Holy Pope writes,

"But the first and chief reason, Venerable Brethren, why the fiftieth anniversary of the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception should excite a singular fervor in the souls of Christians lies for us in that restoration of all things in Christ which we have already set forth in Our first Encyclical letter. For can anyone fail to see that there is no surer or more direct road than by Mary for uniting all mankind in Christ and obtaining through Him the perfect adoption of sons, that we may be holy and immaculate in the sight of God? For if to Mary it was truly said: "Blessed art thou who hast believed because in thee shall be fulfilled the things that have been told thee by the Lord" (Luke i., 45); or in other words, that she would conceive and bring forth the Son of God and if she did receive in her breast Him who is by nature Truth itself in order that "He, generated in a new order and with a new nativity, though invisible in Himself, might become visible in our flesh" (St. Leo the Great, Ser. 2, De Nativ. Dom.): the Son of God made man, being the "author and consummator of our faith"; it surely follows that His Mother most holy should be recognized as participating in the divine mysteries and as being in a manner the guardian of them, and that upon her as upon a foundation, the noblest after Christ, rises the edifice of the faith of all centuries." - Ad Diem Illum Laetissimum 1904

Will you join us in a Novena to Our Lady in honor of her Immaculate Conception?

**Special note: Congratulations to Mindy McDonald, chosen at random as winner of the Advent Apron Giveaway! Thank you all for participating. The comment section is full of wonderful Advent traditions and practices. Make sure to take a peek! (Maybe you'll find a new treasure to add to your own traditions this year?) For those that didn't win the apron - it's not to late to order one now!

Project: On Your Wedding Day

"We were asked to present a personalized bible during our son's wedding. I asked Mary to make a special cover out of white fabric and the result was stunning! My son and future daughter in law will have a keepsake for the rest of their lives made by someone we know. Thank you so much for your good work, Mary!" - L.H.

May this treasured design always reflect the love and fidelity that this marriage will bring under the sanction of Holy Matrimony! It's always an honor and a joy to contribute to the celebration of such a union - even in the smallest of ways. Congratulations to the couple!

Giveaway! Advent in Hearts and Homes

Only a few more weeks will find us beginning that blessed and new season of the next Liturgical Year, preparing our hearts once again for the coming of Our Savior's Birth. The Infant King is asking again to come into our hearts and homes. Are we ready?

In addition to the prayers, reflections, and sacrifices taken up toward this end, consider adding the voices of His Spouses to the spirit of your home this Advent. The Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles have launched a CD with a large collection of Advent related music - including Gregorian Chant, polyphony, and hymns - in order to share the daily life of love they live through song with those outside the convent walls. Purchasing "Advent at Ephesus" from the sister's website will help support the sisters and assist in the building of a permanent monastery.

Check out this video for a gorgeous glimpse of the music and the spirituality behind the voices!

Now for the Giveaway!!! In the hopes of reflecting the spirit of Advent from heart to home, we are giving away an Advent Embroidered Apron to one lucky winner. This apron would make a fitting addition to the many culinary creations sure to come from your kitchen this Christmas!

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment to this post, telling us about your favorite Advent tradition. Share the giveaway on facebook and qualify for TWO comment entries!!!!!!

Giveaway will end on November 26th at 12pm. Enter now and this apron just may become yours!

www.catholicembroidery.com

Project: Simeon's Compline Canticle

"Salva nos, Domine, vigilantes, custodi nos dormientes; ut vigilemus cum Christo, et requiescamus in pace" 

"Protect us Lord, while we are awake, and safeguard us while we sleep, that we may keep watch with Christ and rest in peace."

This passage from Simeon's Canticle has been glorified by Holy Mother Church by it's use in the office of Compline. Every night, this prayer is said in monastieries, convents, and homes across the world. It brings with it a certain sense of peace in the giving to God the actions of the day, while intrusting the night into His care. 

Being a personal favorite prayer of my own, I was delighted when commissioned by a customer to reproduce this prayer as a framable wall art to be hung above their children's bedrooms. Combining family devotions to the Sacred and Immaculate Heart with shimmering stars and sky blue thread, our goal was to represent the protection of Heaven upon his faithful children through the use of stitches. 

The rest is in the hands of an expert framing specialist. What do you think? 

What are your family's favorite devotions before bed?

www.catholicembroidery.com 

Thread of Beauty: About Our Designs

“Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you!”—St. Augustine of Hippo

It is no secret that the world has forever been enhanced by beautiful things. However, it is often forgotten how beauty, or lack thereof, plays a part in the formation and life of the human soul. We are reminded of this in the age-old quote, "the eyes are the window to the soul". This fact is a simple truth that has often been proven scientifically in the world of music, art, and literature for centuries. Where there is beauty, there is God. Beauty brings order, balance, and truth to society and culture.

Art, in all of its forms, has dictated the influence of beauty into cultures throughout the ages. When we were introduced into the art of embroidery, a world of monograms and letters quickly blossomed into a passion for beauty in the form of stitches. And as practicing Catholics, we didn't have to look far to find a history of Religious Embroidery Treasures of our Catholic heritage. In finding a treasury of embroidery history, one fact remained simple yet devestatingly true: such examples of beauty through stitches are not being produced today as they once were.

Our Ave Maria Design accenting the back of a chasuble. 

In fact, we quickly realized that companies and design creators have left much to be desired in Catholic embroidery. Bringing spirituality to the eyes and therefore, but extension, the hearts of souls through embroidery became our passion.

We began by creating our own designs, through the expertise and creativity of some of the finest in Catholic artists. Taking inspiration from ancient art, personal devotion, and the study of the Catholic Church through art, our gallery began to take shape. Now, nearly 50 designs have been added to our signature design gallery. Each has been copyrighted to protect the originality and work behind the image creation. And, more are always being added!

Our Holy Matrimony Symbol - Two Hearts United in One

Within no time, our designs became available to the public in a host of forms, many of which are products we created, that are shared daily throughout the world. Whether accompanying the prayers of the priest at the foot of the altar, tucked safely inside pockets, carried to Mass, or worn close to the heart, our Catholic Embroidery designs are meant to bring the beauty of the Church to eyes and hearts everywhere. We hope they will give the world, as they give to us, even the smallest foretaste of what is to Come:

"That eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

Our Wicklow Cross Design was inspired by Irish art and history.

***It is not uncommon to be questioned as to the sharing of these designs. Since each has been created exclusively by our company and copyrighted, duplication is not allowed in any form, without express permission. This includes the sale of the design files themselves. Seamstresses interested in having any of our desings embroidered on their project are more than welcome to contact us. Such applications on vestments, altar frontal, quilts, and more are our expertise! 

© Precision Embroidery 2007-2012