The pastoral staff is a symbol of ecclesiastical power, which usually designates the role of the bishop or abbot. It is a long rod with one curved or spiral end, fixed to the support by a collar and by a node.

The staff symbolises a scepter, an object of solemn investiture, but its origins are humble. In fact, the term derives from ‘baculus pastoralis’, the shepherd’s rod (or crook). With this stick, with one bent end, the shepherd could grab the animals without harming them. It is therefore a symbolic stick: his right refers to the good ecclesiastical government, the will to lead the flock of the faithful to salvation. The pointed end should serve to spur the lazy and the unrepentant; the curve to attract repentant and lost sinners.

The pastoral staff therefore refers back to the evangelical symbolism of Jesus the ‘Good Shepherd‘. Holding it at the time of the investiture, in the rite of ordination, the bishop accepts its role as a guide and protector of the Christian people.

Pastoral sticks have known an inevitable artistic evolution over the centuries. The curved ends, initially simple and unadorned, gradually assumed more of a spiral shape and began to be decorated with engravings, enamels, inlays, as well as precious stones or crystals. Pastoral sticks are made of different materials: wood, ivory, bone, bronze, gilded copper, silver, and filigree.

The bishop uses the pastoral staff especially as part of Mass during the Entrance Procession, the Proclamation of the Gospel, Homily, administration of the Sacraments, the final Blessing, and the Farewell Procession.

The bishop can use the pastoral staff only within their own dioceses, which actually symbolises the strong relationship between the shepherd and his flock, and does not play a role of general endowment for the priest.

The use of liturgical bells in religious celebrations has very old origins. The bells were certainly known and used by all people in the antiquity, and have even been found in prehistoric tombs.

The origins of the liturgical bells, which are still used in religious ceremonies, are perhaps to be found in Jewish culture, where the High Priest wore a liturgical vestment decorated with seventy-two golden bells alternating with coloured pomegranates.

Bells were found in Christian catacombs, even if at the time they probably didn’t have a defined liturgical use.

Liturgical bells are used to announce and emphasise certain passages of particularly important celebrations. For example, they are played twice at the time of the consecration of the Body and Blood of Christ, and the presentation of the same to the faithful, after “Lamb of God.”

Liturgical bells can be exquisite, artistic workmanship. They are often made by artisans and are finely decorated. They are usually made of cast brass but in the past, they were particularly made with gold and silver.

One of the peculiar characteristics of liturgical bells is that they produce different sounds depending upon how they are made. In the Tridentine Mass liturgical bells are played by an altar boy to further emphasise steps of the celebration, like the Sanctus, the Quam Obliationem, the Domine, non sum dignus.

Other than liturgical bells, churches can also have sacristy bells. Normally these are simple bells hung above the sacristy door and have a particular ringing sing. They are played every time a liturgical celebration is about to begin.

The liturgical cope is a vestment worn by priests in celebrations that take place outside of Mass or outside of the church itself.

In fact, during Mass the celebrant only wears the chasuble. The liturgical cope is instead used in processions, Eucharist benedictions, vespers and solemn praise, consistories for the creation of new cardinals, and many other occasions.

The liturgical cope is a large cloak (when opened it is a semicircle with a 1.4m-1.6m radius), which almost reaches the feet and is open at the front. It is held together on the chest by a clip called ‘razionale’. Its origin is secular and derives its name from a raincoat, as its Italian name suggests (Italian: ‘piviale’ from Latin: ‘pluvialis’), and for this reason there is a little hood, the so-called rear ‘shield’.

The liturgical cope is worn after the stole on top of the surplice or the alb. It can be many colours, according to the celebration that it’s being used for and the liturgical calendar: white or purple for Requiem Mass and services for the deceased, red for Votive Mass, green for Sundays and ordinary holidays, and blue is particularly used for celebrations in honour of Mary in Spain and South America.

As a garment intended for solemn occasions, it is always decorated with rich embroidery and is embellished with hems and precious ornaments. Before the Second Vatican Council and its reforms, the liturgical cope was not only worn by priests and bishops, but also by members of the minor clergy. In particular, the psalmist who sang the beginning of the psalms at Vespers could wear the cope.

The cope was also worn for the solemn blessing of the altar, the acquittal of the coffin or the tomb, Good Friday prayers and the Easter Vigil. The priest at the Pontifical Mass or his assistant could also wear it.

The Christmas spirit is unique and indescribable. It slowly seeps into houses, spreading around like a nice perfume, a past scent that reminds you of comforting memories and a golden, unforgettable childhood. Maybe in contrast to the outside cold, a new heat spreads around inside which is different yet the same every year, making it so familiar and reassuring. It is a hug around everyone, drawing together hearts, uniting spirits in one spirited radiance. It also spreads to visiting friends and family from far away with its gentle magic. Every time this small miracle is renewed, it is impossible to understand it, but it surely creates the decorations, which during the festive period, make our houses more beautiful, warm, united and twinkling.

Garlands intertwined with holly, fir branches, colourful berries and pinecones; candle holders in the shape of Christmas trees or angel wings, sprinkled with gold and silver glitter; ornaments and baubles of every shape. Everywhere you look, there is something that effuses celebration, spirituality of this lovely warmth that makes these days magical and special.

We have chosen 10 Christmas Home decorations for you to make your house more welcoming at Christmas. You can find all items on Holyart.com

For example, these marvellous statuettes of musical angels, small carved maple wood masterpieces which are handpainted by artisans in Valgardena. Their enchanting faces and shining colours emit both the delicacy and joy of the holiday.

For those who can’t go without soft lights and warm candles, this shining pink garland is ideal, perfect as a centrepiece or to decorate a little nook or cranny. It gives a touch of elegance to all types of furnishings.

More rustic but no less festive, this lime wood candle holder depicts the Sacred family or an angel, which makes you think of certain magical childhood lanterns. The candle completely protects the subject on its walls, in a game of light and shadows which is simply magical.

Also, for those who love having many candles, this simple and elegant candle holder, made with olive wood from the Holy Land, is make of seven stacked modules that together make a star.

You don’t need much to create a festive atmosphere, to decorate a corner of the house and make it special. This delightful ornament depicts a nativity scene with a tree and comet star, and already it seems to gather all the Christmas spirit on its own, all with its mysterious wonder.

White roses sprinkled with gold, which remind you of snow and ice, while their satin core burns the hot light of the Christmas candles. Elegance and a touch of glamour for those who can’t do the festive season without style and sophistication.

A simplicity that reminds you of the small, special things. A trinket that reminds you of childhood, the figure of baby Jesus printed and decorated with gold details and colourful rhinestones on the wood. Buy this to be a child again, to rediscover a part of yourself.

An advent wreath decorated with pine branches and golden leaves, pine cones and sleet. An elegant centrepiece that is also a liturgical crown that will give the house a new spirituality.

Christmas also means music and, in addition to traditional songs, what makes you think of the Christmas spirit more than music box music? Here is the wonderful Angel of Christmas-Carillon, exquisitely decorated with wings and a relief dress that represents the Nativity.

The carillon plays the melody “O Holy Night”, is a great gift idea and a piece of furniture for the house.

Another simple, yet lovely, object: three little angels reading from an open book. An image evokes warmth and closeness on cold winter evenings.

The summer seemed to be over in the blink of an eye, and it is weird to think about Christmas already. Yet, as autumn turns the leaves gold and the first cold invites you to get out your warmer, softer, cozier clothes, while the sunset is clouded with purple and silver and we rediscover comforting hot drinks and warm homes, our minds already fly to the time when we’re going to pull out the tree and decorate it for the best Christmas ever.

The charm of Christmas decorations has an ancient and precious tradition. Infinitely fragile, beautiful trinkets, which we were scared to break by just looking at them as children, still drew us in with their fascinating precious jewels.

Even today, as the Christmas spirit starts to spread again, I am instantly reminded of its enchanting decorations. I still have some, which have miraculously escaped time, being hit and moving house, and are enclosed in an overstuffed suitcase, just like a precious treasure. Moreover, every year I like to renew my tree, but always keeping tradition and that slightly old-fashioned taste in mind, which calls to mind past Christmases and stories lost to time.

Online Christmas decorations will soon satisfy this desire to renew and decorate the tree, offering the possibility of targeted and well-structured research. I have already decided what I will give as presents next Christmas: high quality, exclusive and beautiful Christmas items found online, handmade with traditional techniques and painted with the taste and care of times gone by.

Below is a selection of 10 Christmas tree decorations that you can find on holyart.com

100mm tree decoration with a golden glass heart and rhinestones. A fragile, lightweight glass heart decorated with gold filigree and tiny rhinestones, like lace woven by elves.

Wooden olive tree Bethlehem angel tree decoration. Handmade by craftsmen in Bethlehem with olive tree wood that has been wrapped in its silver greenery for centuries in this distant land, now made infinitely closer.

15cm ivory silver glass Christmas tree decoration, made of opaque ivory blown glass, painted and decorated by hand. A decoration inspired by Victorian Christmas trees: elegant and refined, like the waltz.

Olive teardrop Holy Land nativity tree decoration: the whole mystery and wonder of Christmas Eve in a teardrop shape, carved in olive wood. A decoration that is also a crib, and whose simplicity and perfection contains all the soul of the festive feast.

130mm Green and gold egg ball for Christmas tree. I chose this unique decoration, but really, I love all the decorations from this series: authentic blown glass jewellery, which is painted and decorated by hand, reminiscent of the shape and technique of the traditional priceless Fabergé eggs.

100mm Lace glass heart decoration made of blown glass and painted by hand with a lace pattern, which tells of an ancient and refined tradition. Delicate and beautiful, each piece is unique and unrepeatable.

15cm Golden painted glass tree decoration, created with traditional methods and hand tools to ensure that each piece is unique and valuable. The precious gold painting and exquisite decorations emphasise rather than conceal the delicate beauty of these decorations.

100mm Red/gold heart with relief decorations, a few red brush strokes to give a festive touch to this beautiful heart-shaped, blown glass decoration, handmade with relief decoration.

100mm Black and gold Christmas heart and red stones, a decoration that is a treasure: blown glass adorned with synthetic stones that make you think of a fairytale treasure chest.

15cm Red blown glass Christmas bauble with golden decorations, another vintage-style object that reminds you of big trees in the living room, decorated like those in the wonderful tradition of Charles Dickens’ novels.

With the term clergy we generally define the religious suits consisting of trousers, shirt and black or gray jacket, worn by priests outside of the celebrations. More in particular, however, the definition is referred to the typical clergy shirt, which characterizes unequivocally this attire.

The most immediate and known detail of clergy shirts is the white collar, which can be of two models.

The first model is called “Roman“: the collar is a white plastic strap of 3/4 cm high, emerging half a centimeter from the black collar. This model comes from the cassock, in which the white band symbolizes innocence and purity.

In the second model, a simple white plastic insert is threaded into the collar of the shirt, specifically adapted to this purpose, with the two slots in which the corners are inserted. This way, we get the characteristic white square in the middle of the collar.

The clergy shirts are made usually in fil-à-fil, popeline or mixed. They can be long or short sleeves, depending on the season. The recurring and popular colors are dark gray, light gray, blue, white, black.

The clergyman suits derives from Anglo-Saxon Protestant pastors clothing, but Roman Catholicism has appreciated the convenience and comfort, and has welcomed and accepted it as a religious suit and symbol of the Catholic identity.

Clergy shirts identify the priest, even informally. They remind him and the other of his membership, the décor, the commitment. They fulfill with sobriety and dignity his spirit. Historically, humankind has felt the need to identify with specific suits the roles and tasks of the community members. Clergy shirts are for the priest a sort of manifesto of awareness towards his obligations, his duties, his responsibilities, as well as a reassuring message to the faithful.