I have two settings of the "Sanctus Deus, sanctus fortis" text from mid 19th century France. They are marked "for the adoration of the cross and for the Fridays of Lent."
Does anyone know how this text was used in France on the Fridays of Lent?
I don't know specifically what these settings would be used to do (but that's partly because I can't see the settings to which you refer). On the other hand, the text is part of a text sung on Good Friday throughout the Church. It's possible that a devotion developed anticipating the singing of the text on Good Friday.
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