Our 100% silk scarves are one of our most beloved products. Aside from the luxurious feel of silk
that emphasizes the sacred meanings in each design, we have discovered a couple of theological
connections with how silk is made through the humble silkworm.
Here is an excerpt from St. Teresa of Avila’s work, The Interior Castle, in which she compares the
spiritual life to that of the silkworm:
“You have heard of the wonderful way in which silk is made – a way which no one could invent but God – and how it comes from a kind of seed which looks like tiny peppercorns. When the warm
weather comes, and the mulberry trees begin to show leaf, this seed starts to take life; until it has this
sustenance, on which it feeds, it is dead. The silkworms feed on the mulberry leaves until they are
full grown, when people put down twigs, upon which, with their tiny mouths, they start spinning
silk, making themselves very tight little cocoons, in which they bury themselves… The silkworm is
like the soul which takes life when, through the heat which comes from the Holy Spirit, it
begins to utilize the general help which God gives to us all, and to make use of the remedies
which He left in His Church – such as frequent confessions, good books and sermons, for these are
the remedies of a soul dead in negligence and sins and frequently plunged into temptation.”
She will go on to describe the transformation that happens with the worm becoming beautiful once
dying to self in the cocoon and coming out new as a butterfly. Similarly, a soul seeking to be
transformed in Christ must die to self.
But, anyone who is familiar with the process of how silk is made, knows a butterfly does not come
about first.
A sacrifice takes place.
Watts & Co have crafted vestments since 1800s and mentioned during the National Eucharistic
Congress the fittingness of silk for Liturgical vestments. Silk is an Eucharistic image because of the
elevation of something ordinary—a transformation through sacrifice. In order for silk to be properly
crafted—the silkworm must be boiled alive in its cocoon in order to unravel the thread from the
worm. The worm sacrifices itself for the silk which is then in turn used for a priest’s
vestment to celebrate the liturgy. The worm’s purpose is elevated by its transformation into the
silk textile when is then used for worship.
Man has the capacity to elevate the lowest of creation to be oriented towards worship by his ability
of craftsmanship, reflecting his Creator.
A litany is a call and response. The Creator calls out to us and we have the opportunity to
respond. Litany chooses to create garments that act as a response to Him. We respond to the
call to communion by offering our craftsmanship as a prayer. Each garment is designed with
Scripture and Tradition in mind. We love offering you tangible reminders of grace through your
clothing.