Comments on: Review: The Illuminated Easter Proclamation

By: Gerry Davila

Gerry Davila — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:30:13 +0000

The only thing I don’t like about this new book is that square-note notation is not used. Other than that, great text, great work!

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By: Simon Ho

Simon Ho — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 09:46:01 +0000

Yes, they make us appreciate the holy, humble and obedient folks much better.

But there’s a stupid idea that obedience = no critical thought or disobedience = adult faith. Such a lack of use of reason is unbecoming of an intellectually-able human being.

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By: Karl Liam Saur

Karl Liam Saur — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:49:06 +0000

The Exsultet is, in historical substance, an anaphora rather than a proclamation. The candle is what is being offered, as it were.

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By: Fr. Jim Blue

Fr. Jim Blue — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:27:49 +0000

Thank God there are disobedient people because otherwise everyone would be using the grotesque new texts without any critical thinking whatsoever.

Conscientious disobedience has always been an appropriate moral decision.

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By: Rita Ferrone

Rita Ferrone — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 04:05:39 +0000

Jeff, thanks. I did not know that LTP had done that.
Right off the bat, I suspect it’s an innocent mistake. The Easter Proclamation is radically unlike the other two, historically and theologically.

What a puzzling development. I’ll have to look into it more thoroughly.

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By: Rita Ferrone

Rita Ferrone — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 04:01:48 +0000

Thank you, Michelle. This is quite an interesting story and example. You see how much we have learned here already! When you do the new one, maybe send us some pictures if you would be willing to share them. For the inspiration of others.

I like the idea of material culture (in this case, a hand made book) enhancing spiritual authenticity!

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By: Michelle Francl-Donnay

Michelle Francl-Donnay — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 02:34:47 +0000

Rita,

I don’t know if there are other handmade, illuminated books in use, there certainly are artists out there who can make them. As to how this came to be, when I was married twenty years ago, we inscribed the text of the Rite and the readings — by hand — in a bound book (which we still have), in part thanks to a liturgical theology professor who stressed the import of not only liturgical furnishings that are “real” (not plastic!) but when possible not mass produced.

So when I took a course in illuminated manuscripts in which the instructor insisted that we not only learn how to make an illuminated page, but also how to bind a simple codex, it seemed natural to make a book for liturgical use and since I cantored, I created a cantor’s book. The texts on the facing pages were meant for my reflection when preparing to lead song and proclaim the psalm, and I still do reflect on them when I organize my music in the book before I use it. It’s not meant only for the important chants (we do the Christmas Proclamation as well), but for Sunday use as well.

I’m about ready to do another version (I’m a better illuminator and binder than I was when I last made the book) for myself. Any parish that desired such an item – or the Exsultet – could surely find someone to make one, far more skilled than I!

And Simon, I put photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mfrancldonnay/

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By: Simon Ho

Simon Ho — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:54:27 +0000

Yes, the new texts are mandatory, but unfortunately there are disobedient people around.

I only hope our music director doesn’t choose the shorter form so as to add in those silly interpolations – they end up making the sung text longer than the longer form and theologically weaker.

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By: Simon Ho

Simon Ho — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 00:51:22 +0000

You have two deacons? How fortunate.

But I was wondering whether the book can be displayed someplace after the singing of the Exsultet. That might be nice.