Liborius Ornat

For the Paderborn Cathedral

by Christof Cremer

CONCEPTUAL APPROACH

In addition to my examination of the life of St. Liborius, the legends told about him, and the well-known account of the transfer of the saint’s remains from Le Mans to Paderborn —in which a peacock plays a central role—the specific texts of the Liturgy of the Feast of St. Liborius and the study of the liturgical space for which the vestments now presented here were designed form the basis of my work. My exploration of the radiance of the Liborius Festival—which also symbolizes the power of the Christian faith and its place in our lives today—served as a significant foundation for the artistic design of the vestments. The Preface of Saint Liborius includes the prayer: “… For he (Christ) sent Saint Liborius to proclaim the Gospel of salvation and to enlighten the hearts of people with the light of faith. Following the example of Christ, the Good Shepherd, he labored for the flock entrusted to him. …” It is a joyful, life-giving message that seeks to touch and move us. The message of God’s ineffable love for His creation, for us human beings. And it is the fact that Christ does not leave us alone in this life, but—like a good shepherd—is with us, around us, and within us. Not only that, but He Himself reveals Himself as “the Way” (John 14:6), which we are to discern and follow. All of this—and, as I’ve already written, the legends surrounding Saint Liborius—have occupied and captivated me as I’ve been working on the chasuble. In art history, the peacock, among other things, is associated with Saint Liborius as a symbol. However, for me today, it is no longer a matter of simply applying a peacock motif, but rather of delving deeper into these images and exploring their meaning. Like a (stylized) peacock’s eye, rays taper from the neckline to the hem of the vestment, both in width and in height. Gold represents the power of God; blue represents the source of the Pader River as a connection to Paderborn and, of course, to baptism in Christ. According to legend, the peacock guided the people of Paderborn during the transfer of St. Liborius’s remains, just as Christ guides us today. His message, his life, and his death on the cross serve as signposts for us on our life’s journey, on our pilgrimage. This is reflected in the vestment of the principal celebrant, who, as Christ’s representative, presides over the service. All vestments reference the peacock and the peacock’s eye. This fundamental design principle has been applied to all vestment styles—whether worn singly or layered—and varies accordingly.