A 2018 exhibition in New York City, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Cloisters, brought wide public attention to the history and artistry of liturgical vestments. Titled “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” it included some papal vestments borrowed from the Vatican Museums, and a great many outfits by leading international fashion designers. This inspired an examination of Notre Dame’s own treasury of handmade liturgical vestments, with appreciation for the devout creativity, skill, and humility of their mostly anonymous artists, and without losing sight of their proper purpose, functionality, and symbolism. To that end, four exceptional items have been carefully selected from Notre Dame’s collection of liturgical vestments as part of this multi-venue exhibition across campus. Visitors are encouraged to stop at each venue on a self-guided tour to learn more about these works and the generative effect of faith.
Sacristy Museum at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Open Monday-Friday from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and 1:00-4:00 p.m.
A chasuble belonging to Saint John Neumann and Trinity Cope are on exhibit at the Basilica.
Rare Books & Special Collections Room at the Hesburgh Library (Main Level)
Open Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
A miter belonging to Archbishop Lamy, the first archbishop of the Diocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and related texts are on exhibit at the Hesburgh Library.
Scholz Family Gallery at the Snite Museum of Art
Open Tuesday-Friday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 12:00-5:00 p.m.
A fleur-de-lis cope and diaconal stole are on exhibit in the Snite Museum.
Originally published at forum2018.nd.edu, as part of Forum 2018-19: The Catholic Artistic Heritage.