Music Monday--Ave Maria by Josquin des Prez

Josquin's Ave Maria is one of my favorites and I was blessed enough to sing it in college.  I especially like the end:  O Mater Dei, memento mei. Amen! (Oh, Mother of God, remember me! Amen!)  It is written to be sung with such hushed emotion!

Music Monday--Ave Maria by Josquin des Prez

Josquin's Ave Maria is one of my favorites and I was blessed enough to sing it in college.  I especially like the end:  O Mater Dei, memento mei. Amen! (Oh, Mother of God, remember me! Amen!)  It is written to be sung with such hushed emotion!

St. Thomas Aquinas--Pange Lingua Gloriosi

Today is the Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas.  I found out at Mass today that he wrote the beautiful Pange Lingua Gloriosi, sung on Holy Thursday.



Here are the lyrics in English.

Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory,
of His flesh the mystery sing;
of the Blood, all price exceeding,
shed by our immortal King,
destined, for the world's redemption,
from a noble womb to spring.

Of a pure and spotless Virgin
born for us on earth below,
He, as Man, with man conversing,
stayed, the seeds of truth to sow;
then He closed in solemn order
wondrously His life of woe.

On the night of that Last Supper,
seated with His chosen band,
He the Pascal victim eating,
first fulfills the Law's command;
then as Food to His Apostles
gives Himself with His own hand.

Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature
by His word to Flesh He turns;
wine into His Blood He changes;
what though sense no change discerns?
Only be the heart in earnest,
faith her lesson quickly learns.

Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail;
Lo! o'er ancient forms departing,
newer rites of grace prevail;
faith for all defects supplying,
where the feeble senses fail.

To the everlasting Father,
and the Son who reigns on high,
with the Holy Ghost proceeding
forth from Each eternally,
be salvation, honor, blessing,
might and endless majesty.

Amen. Alleluia.

St. Thomas Aquinas--Pange Lingua Gloriosi

Today is the Feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas.  I found out at Mass today that he wrote the beautiful Pange Lingua Gloriosi, sung on Holy Thursday.



Here are the lyrics in English.

Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory,
of His flesh the mystery sing;
of the Blood, all price exceeding,
shed by our immortal King,
destined, for the world's redemption,
from a noble womb to spring.

Of a pure and spotless Virgin
born for us on earth below,
He, as Man, with man conversing,
stayed, the seeds of truth to sow;
then He closed in solemn order
wondrously His life of woe.

On the night of that Last Supper,
seated with His chosen band,
He the Pascal victim eating,
first fulfills the Law's command;
then as Food to His Apostles
gives Himself with His own hand.

Word-made-Flesh, the bread of nature
by His word to Flesh He turns;
wine into His Blood He changes;
what though sense no change discerns?
Only be the heart in earnest,
faith her lesson quickly learns.

Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail;
Lo! o'er ancient forms departing,
newer rites of grace prevail;
faith for all defects supplying,
where the feeble senses fail.

To the everlasting Father,
and the Son who reigns on high,
with the Holy Ghost proceeding
forth from Each eternally,
be salvation, honor, blessing,
might and endless majesty.

Amen. Alleluia.

Narcissistic Self Worship--is it in your hymnal?

The idea for this next post was shamelessly stolen from Overheard in the Sacristy. It hit me, not only because banal lyrics for "church songs" (can't really call them hymns) is one of my pet peeves, but also because the contrast between some of these songs and the hymns from my previous post is glaringly obvious.

Ok, on to the post. Most "modern" church music is badly written, musically, and close to heretically written, lyrically. Many of these songs are virtually impossible for large groups to sing, having been written by and for solo guitar and voice.

The lyrics are even worse. Besides the confusing habit that new church songs have of letting the congregation sing from the point of view of GOD (gee, do you think this is UNINTENTIONAL?!), there are lyrics in the Eucharistic section of our "hymnal" that insist on talking over and over about the "bread and wine" and how we are "gathering" at the "table". People, if it's just bread and wine--if it's just a table--it's NOT a Catholic Church!!! You can do that at home!

The Worst of the Narcissistic Navel Gazing Offenders

In his article Ritus Narcissus: Why Do We Sing Ourselves and Celebrate Ourselves, Father Paul Scalia talks about a number of the worst of these songs.

"Bread of Life" by Rory Cooney has some of the most anti-Catholic lyrics you will come across in a Catholic Church.

I myself am the bread of life.
You and I are the bread of life
taken and blessed
broken and shared
by Christ
that the world may live.

Similarly, "The Bread that we Share" by Dominic MacAller says the following:

We become for each other
the bread,
the cup.

I DON'T THINK SO! If "you and I" are the Bread of Life, then we are in big trouble and all that the Church teaches is in vain. If you want a totally symbolic Eucharist, there are many, many Protestant churches to choose from. You can even start your own!

This next one, I think, should be the Narcissistic National Anthem. It is, appropriately enough, called "Anthem" by Tom Conry.

We are called,
We are chosen.
We are Christ for one another.
We are promise to tomorrow while we are for him today.
We are sign.
We are wonder.
We are sower.
We are seed.
We are harvest.
We are hunger.
We are question.
We are creed.

NOoooooooooooo! Tell me this song is not "all about me"! This song DARES to take images from Scripture that are about God Himself, and turn them into a song all about human beings!! How many times can one song that we are supposed to sing in church, in the very Presence of God, put the word "we" in it?!?! The audacity makes me speechless.

The Church is not "all about me". We do not go to church to discover ourselves, to celebrate ourselves or to feel good about ourselves. We go to church to worship. The very concept of worship means that we are worshiping a Higher Power--higher than ourselves. Higher than we could ever be. We are not the Bread of Life. We are not Christ. We are not The Sower. We are not Creed.

Sadly, generations have now grown up on this anti-Catholic crap. Many have no idea of the musical and lyrical beauty that is the heritage of the Catholic Church, and, as a result, many do not know the very teachings of the Church, because the "hymns" they sang at Mass every week went completely against those teachings.

Narcissistic Self Worship--is it in your hymnal?

The idea for this next post was shamelessly stolen from Overheard in the Sacristy. It hit me, not only because banal lyrics for "church songs" (can't really call them hymns) is one of my pet peeves, but also because the contrast between some of these songs and the hymns from my previous post is glaringly obvious.

Ok, on to the post. Most "modern" church music is badly written, musically, and close to heretically written, lyrically. Many of these songs are virtually impossible for large groups to sing, having been written by and for solo guitar and voice.

The lyrics are even worse. Besides the confusing habit that new church songs have of letting the congregation sing from the point of view of GOD (gee, do you think this is UNINTENTIONAL?!), there are lyrics in the Eucharistic section of our "hymnal" that insist on talking over and over about the "bread and wine" and how we are "gathering" at the "table". People, if it's just bread and wine--if it's just a table--it's NOT a Catholic Church!!! You can do that at home!

The Worst of the Narcissistic Navel Gazing Offenders

In his article Ritus Narcissus: Why Do We Sing Ourselves and Celebrate Ourselves, Father Paul Scalia talks about a number of the worst of these songs.

"Bread of Life" by Rory Cooney has some of the most anti-Catholic lyrics you will come across in a Catholic Church.

I myself am the bread of life.
You and I are the bread of life
taken and blessed
broken and shared
by Christ
that the world may live.

Similarly, "The Bread that we Share" by Dominic MacAller says the following:

We become for each other
the bread,
the cup.

I DON'T THINK SO! If "you and I" are the Bread of Life, then we are in big trouble and all that the Church teaches is in vain. If you want a totally symbolic Eucharist, there are many, many Protestant churches to choose from. You can even start your own!

This next one, I think, should be the Narcissistic National Anthem. It is, appropriately enough, called "Anthem" by Tom Conry.

We are called,
We are chosen.
We are Christ for one another.
We are promise to tomorrow while we are for him today.
We are sign.
We are wonder.
We are sower.
We are seed.
We are harvest.
We are hunger.
We are question.
We are creed.

NOoooooooooooo! Tell me this song is not "all about me"! This song DARES to take images from Scripture that are about God Himself, and turn them into a song all about human beings!! How many times can one song that we are supposed to sing in church, in the very Presence of God, put the word "we" in it?!?! The audacity makes me speechless.

The Church is not "all about me". We do not go to church to discover ourselves, to celebrate ourselves or to feel good about ourselves. We go to church to worship. The very concept of worship means that we are worshiping a Higher Power--higher than ourselves. Higher than we could ever be. We are not the Bread of Life. We are not Christ. We are not The Sower. We are not Creed.

Sadly, generations have now grown up on this anti-Catholic crap. Many have no idea of the musical and lyrical beauty that is the heritage of the Catholic Church, and, as a result, many do not know the very teachings of the Church, because the "hymns" they sang at Mass every week went completely against those teachings.

My Favorite Latin and English Hymns

Dymphna's Road has a nice, short music meme, which I've managed to make into an hours-long research project! It asks you to list your favorite Latin and English hymns. Where possible, I've included links to the actual song for those who are curious about some of the pieces. You may have to find the link once you get to the page.


Favorite Latin Hymns

Ave Maria--Gounod [I sing this one often, at weddings, and, once at a funeral.]

Adeste Fideles

Pange Lingua/Tantum Ergo

Gloria by John Rutter [This is worth listening to, IMO. Click on the link and then click on the second blue button--under "John Rutter--Gloria III." I sang this in my first year in college. What a privilege! It is sad that I learned more liturgical Latin in a public--very NON-Catholic--college than anywhere else.]

Ave Verum Corpus Sang this one in College as well.

Tu Es Petrus [Our college choir sang this song during the Mass that John Paul II had in the Mall in Washington in October of 1979.]

Hodie Christus Natus Est (You may have to scroll down to track 4--"Procession". It starts very softly.)


Favorite English Hymns

O Sacred Head Surrounded

Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

What Wondrous Love is This

Precious Lord [We sang this in college too. Beautiful.]

This Little Babe [I sang this in High School, believe it or not. Also a great privilege. For this one, you may have to scroll down to track 10.] (They don't have the entire song on there, but you'll get the idea. The whole CD is fantastic.)

If I had my hymnal at home, I'm sure I could go on and on. But I don't, so I'd better stop now!

My Favorite Latin and English Hymns

Dymphna's Road has a nice, short music meme, which I've managed to make into an hours-long research project! It asks you to list your favorite Latin and English hymns. Where possible, I've included links to the actual song for those who are curious about some of the pieces. You may have to find the link once you get to the page.


Favorite Latin Hymns

Ave Maria--Gounod [I sing this one often, at weddings, and, once at a funeral.]

Adeste Fideles

Pange Lingua/Tantum Ergo

Gloria by John Rutter [This is worth listening to, IMO. Click on the link and then click on the second blue button--under "John Rutter--Gloria III." I sang this in my first year in college. What a privilege! It is sad that I learned more liturgical Latin in a public--very NON-Catholic--college than anywhere else.]

Ave Verum Corpus Sang this one in College as well.

Tu Es Petrus [Our college choir sang this song during the Mass that John Paul II had in the Mall in Washington in October of 1979.]

Hodie Christus Natus Est (You may have to scroll down to track 4--"Procession". It starts very softly.)


Favorite English Hymns

O Sacred Head Surrounded

Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

What Wondrous Love is This

Precious Lord [We sang this in college too. Beautiful.]

This Little Babe [I sang this in High School, believe it or not. Also a great privilege. For this one, you may have to scroll down to track 10.] (They don't have the entire song on there, but you'll get the idea. The whole CD is fantastic.)

If I had my hymnal at home, I'm sure I could go on and on. But I don't, so I'd better stop now!

Easter Mass 1941

This is a film from 1941. It was filmed on Easter Sunday at Our Lady of Sorrow's Church in Chicago. The narrator is Fulton J. Sheen. The music alone makes it worth watching. Bishop Sheen's explanation of the Mass is invaluable.

Easter Mass 1941

This is a film from 1941. It was filmed on Easter Sunday at Our Lady of Sorrow's Church in Chicago. The narrator is Fulton J. Sheen. The music alone makes it worth watching. Bishop Sheen's explanation of the Mass is invaluable.

Creat in me a clean heart, Oh God (Psalm 51)

Hat tip to Joee Blogs.

Creat in me a clean heart, Oh God (Psalm 51)

Hat tip to Joee Blogs.

Lyrics to French song

Below are the French lyrics to the song in the YouTube video in the post below this one. Unfortunately, we do not yet know anything about what CD it might be on.

COURONNEE D'ETOILES
Paroles : A. Dumont
Musique : Marc Dannaud N°14-10

Nous te saluons,
Ô toi notre Dame Marie,
Vierge Sainte que drape le soleil
Couronnée d’étoiles, la lune est sous tes pas
En toi nous est donnée
L’aurore du Salut

1 - Marie Eve nouvelle et joie de ton Seigneur,
Tu as donné naissance à Jésus le sauveur.
Par toi nous sont ouvertes, les portes du jardin
Guide-nous en chemin, étoile du matin.

2 - Tu es restée fidèle,
mère au pied de la croix,
Soutiens notre espérance et garde notre foi.
Du côté de ton fils, tu as puisé pour nous,
L’eau et le sang versés qui sauvent du péché.

3 - Quelle fut la joie d’Eve lorsque tu es montée,
Plus haut que tous les anges, plus haut que les nuées,
Et quelle est notre joie, douce Vierge Marie
De contempler en toi la promesse de vie.

4 - Ô Vierge immaculée, préservée du péché,
En ton âme en ton corps, tu entres dans les cieux.
Emportée dans la gloire, sainte reine des cieux,
Tu nous accueilleras, un jour auprès de Dieu.

And now, an English translation by Erin (from the NFP board).

We hail you,
Oh Our LadyMary,
Holy Virgin clothed with the sun
Crowned with stars, the moon is under your feet
In you we are given
The dawn of salvation

1 - Mary New Eve and joy of your Lord,
You have given birth to Jesus the savior.
Through you the doors of the garden are opened to us
Guide us on the way, morning star.

2 - You stayed faithful, mother at the foot of the cross,
Sustain our hope and guard our faith.
From the side of your son, you have drawn for us,
The water and the blood that saves us from sin.

3 - Such was the joy of Eve when you were lifted,
Higher than all the angles,
higher than the clouds,
And such is our joy, sweet Virgin Mary
To contemplate in you the promise of life.

4 - Oh Immaculate Virgin, preserved from sin,
With your soul and your body, you entered the heavens.
Brought in glory, holy queen of the heavens,
You will welcome us, one day in front of God.

Lyrics to French song

Below are the French lyrics to the song in the YouTube video in the post below this one. Unfortunately, we do not yet know anything about what CD it might be on.

COURONNEE D'ETOILES
Paroles : A. Dumont
Musique : Marc Dannaud N°14-10

Nous te saluons,
Ô toi notre Dame Marie,
Vierge Sainte que drape le soleil
Couronnée d’étoiles, la lune est sous tes pas
En toi nous est donnée
L’aurore du Salut

1 - Marie Eve nouvelle et joie de ton Seigneur,
Tu as donné naissance à Jésus le sauveur.
Par toi nous sont ouvertes, les portes du jardin
Guide-nous en chemin, étoile du matin.

2 - Tu es restée fidèle,
mère au pied de la croix,
Soutiens notre espérance et garde notre foi.
Du côté de ton fils, tu as puisé pour nous,
L’eau et le sang versés qui sauvent du péché.

3 - Quelle fut la joie d’Eve lorsque tu es montée,
Plus haut que tous les anges, plus haut que les nuées,
Et quelle est notre joie, douce Vierge Marie
De contempler en toi la promesse de vie.

4 - Ô Vierge immaculée, préservée du péché,
En ton âme en ton corps, tu entres dans les cieux.
Emportée dans la gloire, sainte reine des cieux,
Tu nous accueilleras, un jour auprès de Dieu.

And now, an English translation by Erin (from the NFP board).

We hail you,
Oh Our LadyMary,
Holy Virgin clothed with the sun
Crowned with stars, the moon is under your feet
In you we are given
The dawn of salvation

1 - Mary New Eve and joy of your Lord,
You have given birth to Jesus the savior.
Through you the doors of the garden are opened to us
Guide us on the way, morning star.

2 - You stayed faithful, mother at the foot of the cross,
Sustain our hope and guard our faith.
From the side of your son, you have drawn for us,
The water and the blood that saves us from sin.

3 - Such was the joy of Eve when you were lifted,
Higher than all the angles,
higher than the clouds,
And such is our joy, sweet Virgin Mary
To contemplate in you the promise of life.

4 - Oh Immaculate Virgin, preserved from sin,
With your soul and your body, you entered the heavens.
Brought in glory, holy queen of the heavens,
You will welcome us, one day in front of God.

Notre Dame de la paix

This YouTube video entitled Notre-Dame (Our Lady) is an entrancing combination of beautiful pictures of Our Lady along with haunting music sung in French.

A perfect ending to my otherwise hectic day.

I must find the CD with that music on it--and an English translation.

Light a candle and watch this video.

Notre Dame de la paix

This YouTube video entitled Notre-Dame (Our Lady) is an entrancing combination of beautiful pictures of Our Lady along with haunting music sung in French.

A perfect ending to my otherwise hectic day.

I must find the CD with that music on it--and an English translation.

Light a candle and watch this video.

Church music for the 4th

There is some controversy over what music is appropriate to sing in church on the 4th of July in the United States. I have known clergy who loath any patriotic music on that day, and of course there are those for whom God and Country are almost interchangable.

Adoremus, the Society for Renewal of the Sacred Liturgy suggests what it calls "The National Hymn"--God of Our Fathers. Played properly, with all the flourishes, it is a moving and appropriate song for this time of year.

I also like Eternal Father, Strong to Save, otherwise known as The Navy Hymn. It was a favorite of FDR's.

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who biddest the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy Word,
Who walked on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Trinity of love and power!
Our family shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect us wheresoever we go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.

Church music for the 4th

There is some controversy over what music is appropriate to sing in church on the 4th of July in the United States. I have known clergy who loath any patriotic music on that day, and of course there are those for whom God and Country are almost interchangable.

Adoremus, the Society for Renewal of the Sacred Liturgy suggests what it calls "The National Hymn"--God of Our Fathers. Played properly, with all the flourishes, it is a moving and appropriate song for this time of year.

I also like Eternal Father, Strong to Save, otherwise known as The Navy Hymn. It was a favorite of FDR's.

Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who biddest the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at Thy Word,
Who walked on the foaming deep,
And calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!

O Trinity of love and power!
Our family shield in danger’s hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect us wheresoever we go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.