Graduals

/ˈɡrædʒuəlz/ noun

Definition

Plural of gradual; multiple liturgical chants sung during Catholic Mass, or multiple copies of graduale manuscripts.

Etymology

From 'gradual' plus plural '-s', from Latin 'gradualis'. This term applies both to the music itself and to the manuscripts containing such music.

Kelly Says

Medieval monks spent years copying graduals by hand—each ornate manuscript was a work of art that took months to create, so churches treasured them as both spiritual and economic assets!

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