The Liturgical Calendar defines the Church year, outlining a series of seasons and festive occasions that liturgical ceremonies observe throughout the year. Christians used this calendar as a guide, so they could properly celebrate the significant events in the life of Christ and the Church.
The liturgical year is divided into six seasons, each with its own theme and focus. Advent, which heralds the coming of Christ, begins the Church year, followed by Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus. Lent is a time of penance and reflection, leading up to Holy Week, which culminates in the celebration of Easter, the most important feast of the Christian calendar. Ordinary Time follows Easter, with a focus on the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Church. The season of Advent then begins again, marking the end of one liturgical year and the beginning of another.
Throughout the year, the Liturgical Calendar also includes several important feasts and solemnities, such as the Feast of the Epiphany, the Transfiguration, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and All Saints’ Day. These celebrations allow the faithful to honor the lives of the saints and reflect on the significance of their contributions to the Church.
By following the Liturgical Calendar, Christians can participate in a rich tradition of liturgical worship that connects them to the history of the Church and the life of Christ. It provides a framework for the celebration of the mysteries of faith and ensures that Christian followers would never lose sight of the significance of these events in their lives.
The church year is a pageant, a living connection to historic events, the communion of saints, and God’s promises. Symbols and seasons enrich our faith journey, bringing life to Christ’s unfolding story and inspiring us to be His follower in our time.
Dayspring is a Collection of Designs intended for use at both Christmas and Easter. Dayspring is a Messianic Prophecy that is fulfilled at the Resurrection. The Dayspring Church Vestment Collection incorporates the IHS Holy Monogram, the Chi Rho Symbols, Alpha and Omega, the Rising Sun, and the Glorious Cross. There are also Angels in adoration. The entire Ecclesiastical Sewing team is honored to have been a part of creating this new Dayspring Collection of Designs for use in your churches for the Christmas and Easter Seasons of the church year.
Blessed Christmas Everyone from Ecclesiastical Sewing Family
The symbol used for O Emmanuel is a manger with a flowering rose. The rose is a Messianic Rose. With great joy and anticipation, we join the prophet in singing, O Come, Emmanuel – come and save us, O Lord, our God. The collection of O Antiphon designs is a simple way to enhance a worship space. The banners may be hung from pillars as shown in the photo, or by some other way of your selection. The banners a simple to create for those who like to sew for their church.
O Oriens – O Dayspring Antiphon for December 21: The word Dayspring today is considered archaic, yet it is a word that is beautiful and poetic. The word is used in the King James translation of the Bible. It means the dawn of the morning or daybreak. The symbol for Dayspring is often a rising sun as it breaks the horizon a the dawn of a new day.
Keys are interesting things. They come in all kinds of sizes from small to large. They open things, close things, lock things up, start things and the list goes on. Keys are used in the Bible as a means to explain or illustrate different concepts. I am reminded of our Catechism study in preparation for Confirmation. We learned about the Office of the Keys.
O Root of Jesse, standing as a sign among the people; before you kings will shut their mouths, to you, the nations will make their prayer: Come and deliver us, and delay no longer.
O Adonai, and leader of the House of Israel, appeared to Moses in the fire of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai:  Come and redeem us with an outstretched arm.
O Wisdom, coming forth from the mouth of the Highest, reaching from one end to the other, mightily and sweetly ordering all things: Come and teach us the way of prudence.
St. Margaret is a bold rich blue that has a stunning depth of color. It is vibrant and full of life. St. Margaret is one of the few Liturgical Brocade fabrics available in blue. The fabric is pinned to the embroidery frame to stitch a long pastor stole embroidery.Â
Gaudete is a special Sunday in Advent when the readings have a lighter tone in the middle of what is a Penitential Season. This is the third Sunday in Advent when a rose or pink candle is lit on the Advent wreath. The color change reminds us that Christmas is near. We only need to wait a bit longer and our Alleluia will resound once again. Lent is also a Penitential Season of the church year. Laetare is on the fourth Sunday in Lent
Reformation 2018 – 501 Years in the Making:: an incredible anniversary. The Reformation Embroidery Designs were created by Edward Riojas and Carrie Roberts. This set was the first major collaborative design collection created by both artisans and it marked the beginning of what has become a wonderful working relationship and friendship. The designs are unique in the world of vestment making.
Alleluia! Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!
May the joy of our Risen Saviour live in your hearts now and forever more. Blessings and peace to all of the Ecclesiastical Sewing Family and Friends.
Good Friday Art: Private Collection by Carrie Roberts.
The Lenten Season is a time of year when black vestment fabrics are worn. The use of black will depend on which rites a church follows, but it is not uncommon to use black for Ash Wednesday as well as for Good Friday. This black brocade with a circle and cross motif has a nice weight and hand. It would work great if black hangings such as plain black banners were needed to drape in a church to create a somber mood for Good Friday. The fabric could also be used for any variety of church vestments and hangings.
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