Beautiful Manuscript • Priest Offering Mass

Jeff Ostrowski · August 28, 2016 ·

HE AMOUNT OF GORGEOUS medieval manuscripts being released on the internet these days is staggering. Those looking for a “starting point” will probably want to download these 7,055 pages. The following illumination shows a priest offering Mass. Someone sent this via email, and it really caught my eye:

If anyone has access to a high resolution copy of this manuscript—or info regarding its provenance—please send an email using the “contact” button at the top of the page.

Thank you!

About Jeff Ostrowski

A theorist, organist, and conductor, Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004), and did graduate work in Musicology. He serves as choirmaster for the new FSSP parish in Los Angeles, where he resides with his wife and children.

A quote from Fr. Valentine Young

I had one brother who was out of the church for quite a few years. When my mother was asked, “Did she worry about him?” I remember her answer: “I don’t worry about him; I just pray for him.” She left that in God’s hands. My mother did not live to see her son return to the Church; but he did, and I was able to celebrate his funeral Mass.

—Jeff Ostrowski

“Theoricam practicamque”

In a book printed by Solesmes Abbey in 1902, “Kyrie Rex Genitor” is also called Theoricam practicamque. Can anyone explain why?

And how does that translate into English? “Theoricam practicamque vitam regens Deus Pater.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Discussion on Facebook

This old holy card says it all…

For priests, it reads: “In memory of that day on which was given what is not given to angels—that I should offer God to God.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Discussion on Facebook

Tournemire could be charming or he could bite your head off. One day I could not replace him at St. Clotilde because I had a wedding to play at another church. Tournemire played on Sunday, period—that was all. He did not play weddings and so forth. (He put all that on my back.) So I went to Tournemire’s house to tell him, “Master, I am sorry but, for once, I cannot replace you. I have another obligation to fulfill.” He said, “Get out of here!” I left for good.

— Testimony of Maurice Duruflé