Église catholique – Diocèse de Saint-Malo - Missale Macloviense – Missel à l’usage de l’Église et du diocèse de Saint-Malo - 1609

Rare ancient liturgical missal for the use of the diocese of Saint-Malo (Missale Macloviense), very likely identifiable to the 1609 edition listed in the French patrimony collections. A copy of this edition is recorded at the Dinan Municipal Library.

This bulky volume was intended for the celebration of the Mass according to the proper usage of the ancient Church of Saint-Malo. It thus constitutes a particularly interesting testimony of the religious and liturgical history of Brittany in the early 17th century.

The text is printed in Latin, in red and black, mainly in two columns framed by rules. The liturgical typography is particularly careful: titles, rubrics and large letters are printed in red, while the body of the text is in black.

The work is enriched with numerous large historiated initials carved in wood, incorporating small biblical or religious scenes. The photographs notably show remarkable figurative initials opening the offices of Saint Stephen, Palm Sunday, the Easter season and Holy Saturday.
Several pages dedicated to the ceremonies of Holy Saturday also feature a beautiful square musical notation, printed in black on red staves. These passages of liturgical chant constitute one of the most visually interesting elements of the volume.

The photographed parts allow, in particular, to identify the preparation for Mass (Praeparatio ad Missam), the Sundays after Epiphany, the feast of Saint Stephen the First Martyr, Palm Sunday, the Easter season, as well as the important Holy Saturday ceremonies.
Title page missing.

The volume is preserved in its old binding in parchment or vellum, today very patinated. It shows significant signs of use: heavy stains and soiling, browning, rubbing, distortions, corner wear and damage to the ends.
The first leaves are noticeably more damaged, with tears, paper gaps and numerous old restorations, some encroaching on the text. An old handwritten note referring to 1609 is also visible.

As is.