Advent

New Missal

Our new Sunday Missals arrived today and I am delighted. I am particularly pleased that, as with the missals of my youth, English and Latin are printed side by side both for the Ordinary of the Mass and for the proper antiphons and prayers. Another attractive feature is the way in which the main chants of the mass- both Latin and English- are incorporated in this people's edition. It sends out a clear message that both Latin and Chant (in both languages) are "standard" and to be expected. In short it even looks more like the kind of missal envisaged by the fathers of the Council than those seen hitherto.

And a special treat- illustrations from the Psalter of Ingeborg of Denmark. This medieval manuscript is housed in the Musee Conde at the Chateau of Chantilly near Senlis which it (the chateau) was my privilege to view, but not yet visit, back in September.