|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Editor’s Note: “Rebuilding Catholic culture” is a central aspect of our mission here at OnePeterFive, and we were recently pleased to learn of a Catholic family co-op that is doing just that, in a rather unique area: leatherwork. Below is our interview with Veronica Lam, the main artisan behind Roman Rite Crafts.
1P5: What is Roman Rite Crafts?
RRC: At present, we are a Catholic leather shop offering exceptional handmade items for sale. Multiple families contribute to the business, and we hope to keep growing it on the model of late medieval artisan guilds: attracting top-notch craftsmanship and offering mutual family support, all grounded in our shared faith. I hope it inspires other Catholic crafters in this same vein, so we can grow a more Catholic economy around skilled artisans. Traditional handcrafters unite!
1P5: How does Roman Rite Crafts contribute to the restoration of Catholic culture?
RRC: We are raising the artisan standard, and want to encourage a return to buying local, handmade, natural materials, and supporting other Catholics while doing so. All of this fosters a culture that values persons, authentic relationships, and accountability to a standard of beauty that has been handed down to us by our forebears; something nobler than mere utility. This was how all artisans used to think of their craft. In centuries past, even things as mundane as a doorknob, spoon, chair, or firepoker would be beautiful—even deeply symbolic—as well as functional, and craftsmen saw it as a duty to honor their trade by making things well. We bring that same vision to our work.
1P5: Your trademark is rather unique. What is the meaning behind it?
RRC: Our mark was conceived with the idea that we didn’t simply want to advertise a company, but make a declaration of our faith and love for the traditional Roman Rite. Just as the Crusaders, Vendéeans, and Cristeros wore their emblems into battle to show their fidelity to the Faith of our Fathers, when someone sees our mark, we want them to see a declaration of who we are, and Whom we serve.
1P5: Can you explain the various design elements in your mark?
RRC: The surmounting cross proclaims the Kingship of Christ, while the central anchor betokens our rootedness in Sacred Tradition. The medieval characters recall the high ages of the Latin missal, and the swept letters suggest the A+M mariagrams of Old Europe, in honor of our great patroness. The mark is designed to proclaim: “I’m Roman Catholic, and proud of my sacred heritage!”
1P5: What is special about the items in your store?
RRC: First, they are all “by Catholics, for Catholics.” We connect everything we make to some aspect of our patrimony. Beyond the obvious example of our missal covers, we have an “EDC” sacramentals travel kit named for those that kept the Faith during the Reformation. Our Brébeuf bookmarks evoke those that the North American Martyrs could have used. Our minimalist wallet is a simple way to witness to checkout personnel, and so on. Second, we only work with premium leathers sourced from the US and occasionally from Italy, still a queen of quality leathers. Each piece is crafted carefully by hand, with longevity in mind; they will age beautifully as real heirlooms, to be passed on to the next generation.
1P5: What has been your most popular item thus far?
RRC: At this point, we have sold more Benedictus covers than anything else, probably due to the growing popularity of that resource. After that, we’ve made many missal covers and a surprising number of Recusant pouches, which seem to be especially popular among priests and lay people who travel a lot, or just want something sacred in their “gear bag” (or diaper bag, as the case may be). Corporate businesses have taken a liking to our company-branded leather padfolios for staff gifts as well.
1P5: Which item is your favorite to make?
RRC: Each item has its own little charm to it, but I would have to say my personal favorite thing is making custom orders. It is delightful to use my creativity on something specific to the customer’s unique interest and application. With this, I feel even more like a true artist, where I can put my heart into my hands. I also enjoy communicating directly with folks to create just what they want, which makes the entire exchange feel more human and dignified.
1P5: How do you incorporate your faith into your daily work?
RRC: Before my apprentice and I begin each day, we pray an offering prayer and a novena prayer to the Divine Infant King, that our work may be for His glory and the benefit of souls. At noon, we sing the Angelus to ask the intercession of Our Lady, specifically under her title, Undoer of Knots. This patronal image hangs over my workspace, as she is Queen of homes and families, and helps to guide my needle and thread! I offer her my little tasks each day, in intercession for all our patrons and benefactors, and try to practice mental prayer while my hands are busy.
1P5: What are your hopes for the future of Roman Rite Crafts?
RRC: In the short term, we will be adding new designs in 2025. Our goal is to simply build exposure and establish a wider customer base for our long-term goal: leveraging RRC as a platform for many more Catholic handcrafts, harkening back to the guild shops and town square markets of the past. Thank you!
For all the Catholics on your Christmas list, visit www.RomanRiteCrafts.com.
