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Views from the Choir Loft

PDF Download • Beautiful Requiem Mass Image

Jeff Ostrowski · October 28, 2020

EVERAL years ago, I posted an image (on a poster promoting the Brébeuf hymnal) which showed a beautiful Requiem Mass. It seems appropriate—as we approach the Feast of All Souls November 2nd—that I release the full resolution image (SEE BELOW). This illumination shows the “Office of the Dead” being sung. In a small, private chapel adorned with heraldic banners, the deceased rests in a richly covered catafalque. Around him, hooded monks kneel during their devotions, members of the choir sing, and one monk passes out candles. Standing before the Altar, the priest leads the Requiem Mass.

Click below to download the full resolution image:

*  PDF Download • Office of the Dead (FULL RESOLUTION)
—Standing before the Altar, the priest leads the Requiem Mass.

Vestment Colors • Fr. Fortescue

In that picture, notice the golden vestments worn by the priest (not black). At that time in history, the priest used whatever color was the most ornate for special Masses, irrespective of color. Here’s an excerpt from a paper—“The Vestments of the Roman Rite”—delivered by Father Adrian Fortescue in 1912:

The whole idea of a sequence colours is late, and purely Western. It arose gradually and almost insensibly. Even to the end of the Middle Ages colours were in a very loose state. Every diocese, almost every church, had its own customs. Our present rule dates from the revived missal of 1570. It is exceedingly clear and admirable, except that we have perhaps rather too much white. If white were kept for our Lord, our Lady, and virgins, and if we had one more colour (say the old saffron) for confessors and matrons, it would perhaps add dignity to the highest colour by making it rarer. But this is only a vague aspiration towards what, maybe, the Congregation of Rites might some day allow.

You can download the entire article (21 pages) by Father Fortescue:

*  PDF Download • “Vestments of the Roman Rite” (FORTESCUE)
—Father Adrian Fortescue (d. 1923) gave this paper on 8 Feb 1912.


NOTES FROM THIS ARTICLE:

*   IMAGE SOURCE: “Spinola Hours” created circa 1515AD in Ghent, Belgium.

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

Filed Under: Articles, PDF Download Tagged With: 16th Century Flemish Manuscript, Requiem Mass Last Updated: November 6, 2020

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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 Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

    PDF • “For the Season of Pentecost”
    During the season of Pentecost, you might consider using this 2-page Piece “for the season of Pentecost.” Rehearsal videos are available at #40691, but the lyrics are different. Therefore, make sure your choir members understand that one can rehearse songs that have different lyrics (“CONTRAFACT”).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • (This Coming Sunday)
    Our volunteer choir appreciates training videos, so here's my attempt at recording “Exáudi Dómine Vocem Meam,” which is the INTROIT for this coming Sunday. This coming Sunday is Dominica Post Ascensionem (“Sunday after the feast of the Ascension”). It is sung according to the official rhythm of the Catholic Church.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Volunteer Choir Attempts “Kýrie Eléison”
    My volunteer choir attempted the polyphonic KYRIE that will be sung at this year's Sacred Music Symposium. If you're interested, you can listen to the live recording from last Sunday. The piece is based on the ancient plainchant hymn melody: Ave Maris Stella. Polyphony like this is truly intricate and wonderful. It reminds me of the quote by Artur Schnabel: “music that's greater than it can be performed.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“A penalty is decreed against clerics, who, being in sacred Orders, or holding benefices, do not wear a dress befitting their Order. […] In these days, the contempt of religion has grown to such a pitch that—making but little account of their own dignity, and of the clerical honor—some even wear in public the dress of laymen…”

— ‘Council of Trent (Session 14, Chapter 6)’

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