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Even within a women's community, the foremost leadership roles in the liturgy were primarily held by the male religious who oversaw the convent and its care. However, at the royally-funded Dominican convent in Poissy, France, the nuns held an explicit liturgical role in certain ceremonies, including processions. This can be seen in this Processional's rubrics (red-ink liturgical instructions). For example, on Good Friday, after two priests (duo sacerdotes) sang Christ's words in a ceremonial recapitulation of the Passion, this manuscript designates that two_ sisters (due so_rores) sang a part assigned typically to male deacons. The choir (chorus) responded afterwards. Since it was unusual to include women . . as liturgical leaders, these rubrics indicate that women regularly used this manuscript and emphasize their agency within the liturgy. Each member of a procession likely held her own book as they moved through the ceremonial space. Some manuscripts were personalized with decorations and records of ownership. This processional contains a different ownership mark: ce livre apartiens a l 'office de Chantre 1699 (Th is book belongs to the office of Chantress, 1699). The inscription may indicate that the manuscript was a communal book under care of the thantress-the appointed musical leader of the liturgy-rather than personal property.

This exhibit is curated by Kristina Kummerer, a Ph.D. student in the Medieval Institute, as part of a curatorial assistantship in Rare Books and Special Collections. This and other exhibits within the Hesburgh Libraries are generously supported by the McBrien Special Collections Endowment.

All exhibits are free and open to the public during business hours.