Creating an Exultet Scroll

A practical exploration in creating an Exultet scroll

Coming later in September a weekend workshop on the Exultet, with an Element on creation of Pascal candles, led by Fr Peter Burns.

Studio work offered in conjunction with the course “Exultet” which we hope to run in July 2025.

Studio moderators: Maxina Studnik, Fr. Peter Burns, OSB

The Easter proclamation is known by its first word in Latin: Exultet. It is sung at the beginning of the Easter vigil in candlelight. An Exultet scroll has the words and musical notation for the deacon to sing, and, as the scroll gradually cascades down the front of the ambo, it reveals images for the people to see which illustrate the text being sung.

This course will be conducted on several tracks.

1) Daily instruction will be given by Duco Vollebregt from 9:45-12:45 AM with a break 

2) You may also begin to make your own Exultet scroll either on your own or with the moderation of our icon studio from 2:00-4:00 PM weekdays when the course is in session for an additional £100. Bring your materials or purchase a pack of basic materials.

3) Choose which part of the scroll you wish to develop with moderation: the initial cartoon of the entire scroll, illuminated letters, calligraphy, a particular image, musical notation.

4) Enrol for credit with KU Leuven and create an Exultet scroll with a written description.

5) Residents at the House for Guests may prolong their daily work in the studio for an additional £10 per weekday evening.

6) Continue working on your Exultet scroll after the coursework has ended by booking with the studio for a £20 daily for a daily session rate.

Aims:

The studio will facilitate working on one’s own Exultet scroll in the following ways:

• By being open to participants from 2:00-4:00 PM weekdays (July 2025).
• By presenting a cartoon example as a guide as needed.
• By moderating one’s own work either creating a cartoon of an entire scroll, or working on illuminated letters, a particular image, calligraphy or musical notation.

The studio will provide the following for an additional fee as long as supplies last and bookings are available:

• a basic packet of basic materials,
• opening for extended hours on weekday evenings during the course,
• welcoming bookings for continued work after the course concludes.

Hours:

Dates TBC in July 2025. Timings: 2:00-4:00 PM weekdays for moderated sessions evenings for personal work

After the course ends participants may book time in the studio for personal work via Info@christianartstudio.org

Location: at Ealing Abbey, London
The Blessed Virgin Mary and St Dunstan Studio of Christian Art
2 Montpelier Ave,
Ealing, London W5 2XP

For further details and to book: info@christianartstudio.org

Tel: 020 88194 2233   Charity No. 242715

Previous knowledge

This is not a teaching course in iconography. Rather, the studio is available for participants who already have at least initial experience in iconography. Moderation concerns the specific task of beginning work on an Exultet scroll. This presumes participants have their own basic supplies, although limited basic supplies are available for a nominal fee.

Content

Studio time is intended for participants in the course “Exultet” offered by the Liturgy Institute and conducted by Duco Vollebregt. The studio is available to participants who wish to work on their own, or who wish to have some moderation in producing their own Exultetscroll.

Studio Material

For work in the icon studio, please bring the following basic materials:

Those without iconographic materials may purchase a pack of basic materials from the studio, while supplies last. A basic pack includes the following items:

A small non-lending library focused on iconography is available in the studio as well as the fuller liturgy library located in the nearby Liturgy Institute.

Description of learning activities

♦ develop a vision which unites the elements of a scroll: material, art, text, music

♦ develop a plan for one’s own work on an Exultet scroll in the time available

♦ create an iconographic programme to interpret the Exultet and mediate the mystery celebrated

♦ lay out the text of the Exultet and provide for illuminated letters according to one’s plan

♦ consider the plan in light of the ritual proclamation of the Exultet in a particular church

♦ begin creating one’s own scroll in the time available.

Evaluation description

Studio time is not an accredited course. There are no exams, no marks for studio time.

Studio time may be used toward fulfilling the requirements of the course “Exultet” (L719) of the Liturgy Institute, in which case the work accomplished in the studio will be assessed according to the criteria of that coures.

Note: Students must be over 18 years of age.

This is a research seminar. Because of the demands of original research during an intensive summer programme, participants may prepare for the intensive schedule by reading suggested texts before the course begins and are recommended to allow considerable time in their schedule for research and/or studio time during the two weeks of the seminar and in the weeks following.

Accommodation:

Non residential day students are welcome.

Limited accommodation is available through Ealing Abbey house for guests or other religious houses or nearby.