The Helmet of Salvation: Crafting an Amice

The Amice, of all the noble vestments, is a guard against evil. With great humility and care, we take this vestment very seriously and make them with much respect and care for our holy priests.

In this class, we will construct one Amice, using pure, prepared linen and learn the traditional method of pulling threads for accuracy and treatment of the grain of the cloth. Likewise, blocking, hemming and embroidering the red 20-stitch counted cross-stitch center back Cross will be included as each student crafts their own Amice. Cleaning and caring for the finished sacred linen will be covered as well as treatment for prepping unprepared linen for future tailoring projects.

While enjoying the handwork throughout the one-day course, topics covered during class will include devotional practices that can be implemented while tailoring sacred vestments and linens, and we will discuss Amice variations in design and sizing.

A portable sewing machine equipped with needles and white thread are required alongside any personal sewing notions such as seam ripper, pins and hand sewing needles. Preferred thread for the sewing machine would be any brand of heirloom quality mercerized cotton all-purpose thread in 50wt or 60wt.

We invite you to join us for Holy Mass in the Chapel at 9 AM. The workshop begins at 10 AM in the Sacred Art Studio. Included in this workshop is lunch in the dining hall of the Enders House, an early 20th century arts and crafts style mansion and the oldest structure on the island.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

According to the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, in the Roman Rite, the Amice is donned before the alb. While putting it on the priest recites the following prayer: “Impone, Domine, capiti meo galeam salutis, ad expugnandos diabolicos incursus” (Place upon me, O Lord, the helmet of salvation, that I may overcome the assaults of the devil).

With the reference to St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (6:17), the Amice is understood as “the helmet of salvation,” that must protect him who wears it from the demon’s temptations, especially evil thoughts and desires, during the liturgical celebration. This symbolism is still more clear in the custom followed since the Middle Ages by the Benedictines, Franciscans and Dominicans, who first put the amice upon their heads and then let it fall upon the chasuble or dalmatic.”