A remarkable discovery was made in York when a rare pre-Reformation Catholic prayer scroll emerged from obscurity, hidden away in a shoebox. This medieval artifact, dating back to around 1475, will soon be displayed at the Bar Convent.
Dr. Hannah Thomas, the Special Collections Manager at the Bar Convent, stumbled upon this historical treasure while cataloguing the convent’s inventory. Buried among 1980s leaflets, she found a six-inch-wide scroll rolled up and tucked away.
Dr. Thomas described the scroll as “an illuminated script, with hand-drawn figures and beautiful calligraphy – it is a medieval work of art in its own right.” She further explained that unlike other known examples, this scroll wasn’t solely for private devotion. The presence of red inked response lines implies it was intended for group prayers, possibly involving families or larger gatherings.
With only 11 such scrolls known worldwide, this discovery is profound. Previously thought to be for personal devotion, the response texts in this scroll suggest its use in communal worship. Its excellent preservation adds to its uniqueness among the existing specimens.
The rarity of these scrolls is partly due to the Reformation period when practicing Catholicism was considered a treasonable offense. The Bar Convent, established in 1686 and the oldest surviving convent in Britain, likely received this scroll for safekeeping during times of anti-Catholic sentiment, although precise details of its acquisition remain unknown.
Sister Ann Stafford, Superior of the Bar Convent, announced that a special mass will be conducted, incorporating the prayers and devotional texts from the scroll.
The public will have the opportunity to view this extraordinary scroll starting from 5 April 2025.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
