But in any age, such glories are the exception, for much of liturgical art is understandably derivative.

In most cases, congregations also use other elements of liturgical worship, such as candles, vestments, paraments, banners, and liturgical art.

Besides calligraphy, Catich was accomplished at liturgical art, working in slate, stained glass, watercolor, and print.

And like many features of liturgical art, its purpose is control.

Not content with liturgical art on canvas, Mücke relished the creation of expansive frescoes in some of the superb old buildings in Germany.

Two years ago, a specialist in liturgical art named Rolf Rohn toured St. Brigid's to make recommendations about what items were worth saving.

The emphasis was on his liturgical art, both figurative and abstract.

One of his famous students, Heinrich Mucke, carried on the liturgical art with emphasis both in painting and frescoes.

He built a successful career as an artist, but increasingly the work left him feeling hollow, he said, until he decided to devote himself to liturgical art.

By the end of the day the greater part of one of the outstanding intact ensembles of medieval liturgical art had been dispersed.