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!

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.)

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