Have you ever heard of, or heard from, a “Notation Knife”?

Enjoy this fascinating video!  Biretta tip to The Catholic Thing.

This is about a “notation knife”, which could be called a Benediction or Blessing Knife.  At the end, they have worked out parts to match the notation and have a little group sing it.  Beautiful.  What a great custom this would be.


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6 Comments

  1. APX says:

    I have indeed heard of these knives before. Yes, I would much prefer this sort of benediction for eating over the Johnny Appleseed or Rap Blessing that is customary amongst some who like to make grace before meals “more fun”.

  2. Precentrix says:

    No, but I have sung 14th Century polyphonic drinking songs in a pub… from Ars Nova notation. Close enough?

  3. majuscule says:

    I love the enthusiasm of both women but especially the second one! And the singers looked like they were enjoying it, too.

  4. Elizabeth D says:

    Benedictio mensae: “Quae sumpturi sumus benedicat trinus et unus Amen”
    Gratiarum actio: “Pro tuis deus beneficiis gratias agimus tibi”

  5. smauggie says:

    I enjoyed the film and music.

    Since the presenters in the film could only speak of what might have been within the realm of possibility, it also strikes me that they could have been trophies, one for each voice class (soprano, alto, tenor, bass).

  6. VivaIlPapa says:

    Fascinating! I did a little more searching and the following article which also has the recordings for both benediction and grace! It’s embedded but you get the idea. Very beautiful.

    http://mymodernmet.com/renaissance-notation-knives/

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