William Byrd: English Catholic Composer and Recusant, and The Hows and Whys of Illuminated Chant Manuscripts - Latest Episodes of Square Notes

We’ve settled into a more regular posting regimen at Square Notes: The Sacred Music Podcast, releasing a new episode each Sunday evening. Here are the latest!

In episode 11, we discuss life as a Catholic under the reigns of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, and look at what makes Tudor era polyphony tick, as well as how Byrd’s music evolved throughout his life. Our guest is the renowned expert on these topics, Dr. Kerry McCarthy.

In episode 12, we look at the process of producing an illuminated chant manuscript, and the role this process played in the lives of monastics, as well as what the modern person can take away from the medium. Mrs. Elizabeth Lemme of Pelican Printery House shared with us a little bit about her own growth in faith through this artistic medium, as well as her expertise in all its details.




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Nerdy Chant Valentines

If you’ve been scouring the internet, searching up and down and everywhere for the perfect card for St Valentine’s day for that special chant nerd in your life, look no further! Pelican Printery House has got you covered.

And if “nerdy” isn’t really your style, check out this beautiful card with a medieval English love poem: 

For weal or woe
I will not flee
To love the heart
That loveth me.

A Beautiful O Antiphons Booklet

For those readers looking for beautiful Advent materials for children, or lovely Christmas cards, I’d like to recommend to you the artwork of Pelican Printery House. The publishing house, which was founded just one year ago, features many interesting products such as letter-pressed greeting cards, coloring pages for the liturgical year, and art prints. Their latest release, “The Great O Antiphons, Coloring Pages for Advent,” is available on Pelican Printery House at Etsy.

From the description of the work:

“Ero cras” is Latin for “tomorrow, I will come.” This fundamental message of Advent sends the Church into a profound season of waiting for the coming of Christ in His holy incarnation. During Advent, the faithful enter into this mystery of anticipation and preparation of their hearts to receive Him. In the Divine Office, one manifestation of this preparation is particularly seen in the antiphons which frame the Magnificat at Vespers, in the final seven days of Advent. These “Great O Antiphons” are featured in this entirely hand-drawn coloring book created by Elizabeth Lemme, the artist at Pelican Printery House.

Each antiphon is featured in its English translation with scriptural references which can be read, studied, and prayed over.

Each original Latin antiphon is featured with an image inspired by traditional iconography, and illustrated using Sumi ink and drawing nibs. Each image is surrounded with a hand-drawn border of poinsettias, pinecones, greenery, and a ring of Gregorian chant from the actual notated antiphon.

These antiphons are packed with symbolic meaning and beautiful scripture references, all of which are manifested in the images provided in the coloring book:

1. "O Sapientia" (O Wisdom), December 17th, icon of Holy Wisdom
2. "O Adonai," December 18th, is the icon of Moses and the Burning Bush
3. "O Radix Jesse," (Root of Jesse), December 19th, an icon of the Tree of Jesse
4. "O Clavis David," (Key of David), December 20th, an icon of the Harrowing of Hell
5. "O Oriens," (O Morning Star), December 21st, an icon of Our Lady of the Sign
6. "O Rex Gentium" (O King of the Nations), December 22nd, an icon of Christ the King
7. "O Emmanuel," December 23rd, a devotional image of the Nativity

At the conclusion of the coloring book, there is a word puzzle game; this ancient acrostic is sure to fascinate youth and adults alike, and dust off this beautiful tradition of the Church.

A wonderful activity for children or devotional for all ages (including adults), the Great O Antiphon Coloring Book is available on Etsy’s Pelican Printery House as a digital download, and can be printed in the ease of one’s own home, year after year, for personal household use.