Throughout the centuries, devotion to the Virgin Mary led to the creation of a number of Marian Movements and Societies for those who wished to venerate the Holy Virgin. This gradual contains chants for Marian masses including Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus dei, which were celebrated by one such Italian confraternity dedicated to the Virgin.
The name and location of the society, Popolo di Santa Margarita Ala Costa Alpino, is embossed in gold on the book’s leather cover. The dedication is inscribed in red on the left hand page and reads in English:
This book is for the use of the Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the common tongue called a “Fraternity,” purchased by the prior of said Society, currently Reverend Vincentius Vulpinus, Rector of the church called St. Michael Archangel (written over an erasure) in Stressa, year of our Lord 1726 … Priest Augustinus Rafaelli wrote [the book]
translation by Scott Gwara, Ph.D., University of South Carolina
The right-hand page is the Introit (Introduction) for a mass celebrating the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as seen in red script at the top left. The large decorated initial “S” leads into the chant “Salve sancta parens (Hail, Holy Mother).”