medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Hi Chris!
As has already been surmised, the 'Sacrista' is the
sacristan (or verger in Anglican terms). The
gesticulating with the virge serves two purposes.
In the diagram it will be noted that the virge points
in a particular direction. This is the direction the
procession is going to take around the church. This
ensures that the participants know where they are
headed (I've seen a few modern processions split in
two and head off in opposite directions due to a lack
of something similar). It also serves to let the
congregation know which direction is being taken. In
the days before pews when people stood wherever they
liked in church they needed to be 'waved' out of the
way with the virge.
Nowadays the virge is usually carried over one
shoulder as if it were a ceremonial mace. The only
exception I know of (there may well be others) is
Southwell Minster in Nottinghamshire where the virge
is still held upright and pointing slightly forward.
The other items are:
2. A boy, with holy water (little bucket & brush)
3. Three acolytes with crosses (little tonsures, as
acolytes were in minor orders and as such were clergy)
4. Two taperers (lit. waxbearers) (candlesticks)
5. Two thurifers (thuribles, which seem to be held in
opposite hands)
6. Subdeacon, carrying text. (tonsure, the text in
question is the epistle book)
7. Deacon, carrying text (tonsure, the text is the
Gospel book)
8. Priest, vested in amice and silken cope (larger
tonsure, with hood of cope visible)
The other similar things you have seen may be from:
L'interpretation et signification de la Messe.
Antwerp, 1529
or the similar
Dat boexken vander Missen, for which I have no place
or year of publication handy, but will look it out for
you!
Both of these have more 'realistic' images, but they
are of parts of the mass itself, rather than
processions.
Cheers
Rob
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