Part 2—Seminar Reports
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developments in divergent fields of research into conversation. The structure of the volume was discussed, and input from seminar members was sought regarding possible gaps. • Pawel Figurski, “Medieval Liturgy and the Making of Poland: A Study in Medieval State-Formation.” According to archeological discoveries of recent decades, the emergence of the Piast polity is viewed as a violent revolution that happened within 40 years of the 10th c. rather than a consensual evolution reaching back to the 9th c. and earlier Slavic settlement. Nevertheless, the events surrounding the baptism of the first historic ruler c. 966 are still viewed as the beginnings of the thousand-year-long Poland with its first ‘state’, a direct predecessor of the current Third Polish Republic. This paper answers the question of why the realm of the Piasts, constructed with much violence, began to be perceived as the savior instead of a predator by not only modern historiography, but also by medieval elites. The explanation of the process will be found in a realm usually overlooked in debates about medieval state-formation—namely, the Christian liturgy. • Michael Witczak, “Priestly Spirituality at Mass: The Concluding Rites: A Comparison of the Private Prayers of the Priest in the Missale Romanum 1962 and Missale Romanum 2008.” The private prayers of the priest at Mass, originating in the the 8th century Carolingian world, convey a theology of the priesthood. Their reformed shape in the post-Vatican II Missal offers a change in the theology of priesthood. This fifth installment explored the concluding rites of Mass, and the optional prayers for the priest to say once back in the sacristy. The theology of priesthood articulated is one that focuses on the priest as promoter of the priesthood of the faithful. • Tyler Sampson, “Roman Liturgy and Monastic Ideals at St. Gall.” This paper is a study of an unedited commentary on the canticles of Lauds found in a ninth-century manuscript of St. Gall (St. Gall, Stiftsbibliothek cod. sang. 446). The commentary De canticis is part of a larger section of the codex focused on aspects of liturgical time. Within the overall framework of St. Gall 446, a liturgical ‘textbook’ with romanizing tendencies, De canticis explicates both the ordo and ratio, the order and meaning, of the liturgical canticles. • Daniel DiCenso, “New Reflections on fol. 89v, Brussels, KBR, ms. 1012744.” This presentation raised questions about how to interpret the scribal insertion on fol. 89v with respect to the ownership history and origins of the manuscript. Other Work and Plans for the Future: Papers, presentations, works-in-progress, and other discussions will continue. Members are particularly invited to nominate visitors who may wish to attend our meeting. We plan to elect a new convener at the next seminar. No plans for joint sessions at this time. Site visits are under discussion. A strong feeling to allow for hybrid attendance, even if only via skype or zoom on a laptop.
