Views from the Choir Loft

“Resplendent Beyond Reckoning” • Sherborne Missal (1399AD)

Jeff Ostrowski · August 28, 2020

HE SHERBORNE MISSAL is the largest (and most lavishly decorated) Medieval Missal from England to have survived the Reformation. The manuscript was produced for the Benedictine abbey of St Mary’s in Sherborne, Dorset, circa 1399AD. The principal artist—a Dominican friar named John Siferwas—included his portrait and coat of arms several times in the manuscript. We were made aware of this by Father Lawrence Lew. One of the attendants of the Blessed Virgin Mary (next to the Cross) has braided hair, so I guess young women did that even in the 1400s:

74922-Sherborne-Missal-CRUCI

74920-Sherborne-Missal-C

Similar to the Saint Isaac Jogues Illuminated Missal, Gradual, and Lectionary there appear to be fantastic little images of the different motions the priest makes during the Canon:

Priests who want to help congregations follow the Mass should really look into the Jogues Missal, because it provides photographs alongside the Ordinary of the Mass, in addition to having the complete Lectionary readings (ABC) and complete Propers in Latin and English.

The Sherborne Missal is now available
in its entirety to view online.

Meménto, Dómine, famulórum famularúmque tuárum…

…in primis quæ tibi offérimus pro Ecclésia tua sancta cathólica…

Communicántes, et memóriam venerántes, in primis gloriósæ semper Vírginis Maríæ…

Qui prídie quam paterétur, accépit panem in sanctas ac venerábiles manus suas…

Hanc ígitur oblatiónem servitútis nostræ, sed et cunctæ famíliæ tuæ…

Quam oblatiónem tu, Deus, in ómnibus, quaésumus, benedíctam, adscríptam, ratam, rationábilem, acceptabilémque fácere dignéris…

Præcéptis salutáribus móniti, et divína institutióne formáti, audémus dícere…

The level of detail is astounding:

Notice how the monks along the side have the words (on little white flags) to the Ave Regina Caelorum, which matches the drawings:

Roráte cæli désuper et nubes pluant justum…

Nunc scio vere, quia misit Dóminus ángelum suum…

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

New Bulletin Article • “21 September 2025”

My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.

—Jeff Ostrowski

Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!

It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…

—Jeff Ostrowski

PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies

Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”

We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?

It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.

—Corpus Christi Watershed

Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)

How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).

—Corpus Christi Watershed