Initial A with the Vision of the friar of Brescia This initial begins the first antiphon at Lauds for the feast of St. Dominic of Cuso (Aug. 4), the founder of the Dominican Order, 'Adest dies laetitiae ' According to St. Dominic's legend, a friar living in Brescia saw at the hour of the saint's death a vision in which Christ and the Virgin Mary lowered two ladders upon which St. Dominic's soul ascended into heaven. This initial includes only... This image shows the reverse of a cutting with an historiated initial from an antiphonary. Initial D with King David playing the harp This initial begins the first response of the first nocturn of Wednesday Matins in the fourth week after Easter: 'Deus, canticum novum cant[abo tibi] ...' (Lord, I will sing to you a new song). According to tradition, David, the biblical king of Israel, composed the psalms. Hence, David is often shown playing a harp or psaltery according to his role as the author of these sung prayers. The... Initial S with Virgin interceding with God on behalf of a pilgrim This initial begins the response, 'Si bona suscepimus ...' (If we have received good things), which was sung during remaining Sundays in October and November. Much of late medieval devotion centered on prayers to the Virgin to intercede on one's behalf with her son Jesus Christ. Her special relationship with Christ led, in large part, the extreme popularity of the cult of the Virgin in the... Script: Rotunda
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