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 

Project: Sacred Heart Vesica

The beautiful Sacred Heart design pictured above is the very first design to be created exclusively by Catholic Embroidery. As a family business, it was very important to begin our new endeavor with our family's consecration to the Sacred Heart in full honor. Thus, the Sacred Heart image was committed to stitches, copyrighted, and the Catholic Embroidery gallery began.

Over the years, this design has been stitched as framable artwork combined with commemoration of feasts in a family, as a consecration memento in households across America, and in many other forms.

Thus, it is very fitting that as we near our FIFTH anniversary of the founding of our company in November, it is this Sacred Heart that takes form once again under the eyes of our needles. We were asked by a priest in Texas to make this design available in the form of a vesica applique. (Vesica is a term used to refer to an embroidery motif application to a given vestment.) This applique was created in a manner that would allow a local seamstress to apply the design directly to the fabric in a matter of minutes. Gold metallic thread was used to match the vestment's existing orphrey and the results were absolutely stunning.

Tomorrow, on the First Friday in October, our Sacred Heart design will mount the steps of the altar, embedded boldly over the heart of one of God's own ministers.

Introibo ad altare Dei - I will go to the altar of God

Project: Sodality Book Covers

It's always a joy to incorporate the symbols of Our Lady in the Third Orders, sodalities, confraternities, and other establishments of Holy Mother Church.

Some time ago, we given the task of creating custom book covers for the Sodality of the Immaculate Conception & St. Rose of Lima at Mary Immaculate Parish in Newton, Massachusetts. Over 30 covers were made and embroidered for every member of the sodality. Each cover featured our Marian Crest design in colors chosen specifically for the sodality- including the use of gold metallic thread. Below, the monogrammed words, "Ad Jesum per Mariam" reminds each member that the surest way to Jesus is through His Mother.

What is the history of a sodality, dedicated to Our Lady?

"From the era of the Middle Ages very many of these pious associations placed themselves under the special protection of the Blessed Virgin, and chose her for patron under the title of some sacred mystery with which she was associated. The main object and duty of these societies were, above all, the practice of piety and works of charity. The decline of ecclesiastical life at the close of the Middle Ages was naturally accompanied by a decline ofreligious associational life, the two being related as cause and effect. However, as soon as the Church rose to renewed prosperity in the course of the sixteenth century, by the aid of the Counter-Reformation and the appearance of the new religious congregations and associations, once more there sprang up numerous confraternities and sodalities which laboured with great success and, in many cases, are still effective."
Catholic Encyclopedia Online

Initials embroidered on the backside insure that each Sodalist's missal is protected from any mistaken identity!

Are you involved with a Sodality or Confraternity? We'd love to hear about it!

Project: Scapulars

The Hoop Scoop for this week is revealed... and accurately guessed by one of our readers:

Scapulars!!

We were pleased to service a Discalced Carmelite Third Order in Chicago with scapulars, embroidered with a large letter "M" in honor of Our Lady's name and the Carmelite Crest. These scapulars were sent to us by the Third Order, handmade by their talented volunteers, and duly embroidered upon their arrival to our shop.

Many thanks to the Third Order for this opportunity of serving their community with our embroidery services. 

A scapular sampling below a relic of St. Therese of Lisieux

" Zelo zelatus sum pro Domino Deo exercituum - With zeal have I been zealous for the Lord God of hosts" Carmelite Motto

Hoop Scoop: A sea of brown

In the hoop this week at Catholic Embroidery, we're seeing a lot of brown!

Any guesses to what project is at hand?

www.catholicembroidery.com

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.)

Sprechen sie deutsch?

Did you know that Catholic Embroidery's products are offered with International Customization?

One of the greatest things about our customization services is the ability to accommodate a variety of styles, names, dates, quotes, devotions, and even languages. Our signature Catholic aprons are not only meant for the English language, but extend to a variety of languages, thus spreading Catholic symbolism and devotion around the globe. Here is an example of such an order for aprons, which now grace the kitchens and tables of Catholic families across Germany.

Our Do Small Things Apron in German ready to ship, along with Sacred Heart aprons, to families across Europe.

To our International readers: Welcome! Is there an interest for Catholic Embroidery in your country?

God bless,

Mary

Check out our full line of signature Catholic aprons at: www.catholicembroidery.com

Beautiful Hands of a Priest

The approaching month of May begins the great season of ordinations. This is a bustling time for our embroidery shop as we prepare last-minute details for custom vestments and linens. I cannot think of a more rewarding project than preparing fabrics and floss for the altar!

The photos below were taken of a set of linens we embroidered in collaboration with Altarworthy for a priest who will be ordained in Texas in the next few weeks. Please pray for him and all new priests!

The Beautiful Hands of a Priest 

Unknown Author

  We need them in life's early morning,
            We need them again at its close;
            We feel their warm clasp of true friendship,
            We seek it while tasting life's woes.

  When we come to this world we are sinful,
            The greatest as well as the least.
            And the hands that make us pure as angels
            Are the beautiful hands of a priest.

  At the altar each day we behold them,
            And the hands of a king on his throne
            Are not equal to them in their greatness
            Their dignity stands alone.

  For there in the stillness of morning
            Ere the sun has emerged from the east,
            There God rests between the pure fingers
            Of the beautiful hands of a priest.

When we are tempted and wander
          To pathways of shame and sin
          'Tis the hand of a priest that absolve us.
          Not once but again and again.

And when we are taking life's spouse,
          Other hands may prepare us a feast
          But the hands that will bless and unite us,
          Are the beautiful hands of a priest.

God bless them and keep them all holy,
          For the Host which their fingers caress,
          What can a poor sinner do better
          Than to ask Him who chose them to bless

When the death dews on our lids are falling,
          May our courage and strength be increased
          By seeing raised o'er us in blessing
          The beautiful hands of a priest.

God bless,

Mary

O Lord, send us priest!

O Lord, send us many priests!

O Lord, send us many holy priests and religious vocations!

www.catholicembroidery.com

Project: Heart of Mary Design Debut ~ Cope

Measuring around 5" tall, this image is perfect for a family embroidered afghan, mantle scarf, or your own special project. 

New to the Catholic Embroidery Design Gallery - our Signature Heart of Mary design! Made to partner  our Sacred Heart Design, this Heart of Mary boasts the joy and sorrow of Our Lady in one beautiful and striking image.

This deep, rich red heart is wrapped in a crown of luscious roses in honor of Mary's Motherhood and title "Rosa Mystica", wounded with seven swords of Sorrows, and topped with a flaming Lily of Purity.

Just as soon as this new design was off the drawing board and digitized, it made it's debut into the world of embroidery on what couldn't be a better project: a handcrafted and custom-made Cope for a soon-to-be newly ordained priest. The final project is more beautiful than ever imagined, thanks to the talent of the Altarworthy seamstress and Our Lord's guidance within our workshops. We are privileged to have the Heart of Mary design serve as a beacon of Our Lady when all eyes are directed toward the altar in this unforgettable vestment set.

Handcrafted Traditional Latin Mass Vestment Set - Heart of Mary embroidered Cope.

Close up of cope hood

Project: Easter Altar Frontal

We are very blessed to work with seamstresses around the country who use their God-given sewing talents and love of the sewing art for the glory of the Altar and the service of the Priesthood. A few weeks ago, St. Anne's Liturgical Sewing in Indiana called and asked if we could embroider one of our Agnus Dei designs for an altar frontal project for a local church as a "last minute" Easter project. We were able to work with this immediate need, embroidering the Agnus Dei design on a piece of silk sent to us by the seamstress and mailing it back to her in record timing.

On Easter morning, a new altar frontal greeted parishioners as they filed into the pews of this Catholic church. What a beautiful way to reflect the joy that only comes from the glory of Christ in His Resurrection - the Triumphant Lamb of God.

www.catholicembroidery.com