Chant School

Link to Music (courtesy of CCWatershed)

In today's episode, we learn the antiphon Asperges me, Domine, which accompanies the ritual sprinkling that takes place before every High Mass except during Paschaltide. Dating back to the 10th century, this beautiful, short antiphon can help to prepare those who sing it to fully participate in Holy Mass. We encourage you to learn this antiphon and then sing it on Sundays with your schola!

THOU SHALT SPRINKLE ME, Lord, with hyssop and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. (Ps 50: 3) Have mercy on me, O God, for thou art ever rich in mercy

ASPÉRGES ME, Dómine, hyssópo, et mundábor: lavábis me, et super nivem dealbábor. (Ps 50: 3) Miserére mei, Deus, secúndum magnam misericórdiam tuam.

Music for Cor Arca Legem Continens

From the Encyclopedia:

An office hymn that was historically used for Lauds on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Usually dated as an 18th-century composition, it is the work of an unknown author who is thought to have written also the hymns for Vespers and Matins of the same feast. In a series of types or figures, rather than in a fully developed allegory, stanzas one and two of the hymn represent the Sacred Heart as ark, temple, and—with reference to its open wounds—veil "more profitable than the one rent asunder." For the thought and expression of the last three stanzas, the author is indebted to St. Bonaventure's Vitis mystica 3.4–6, read as the eighth and ninth lessons of the feast. Throughout the hymn a deeply personal note is blended with a more objective liturgical style.

1. O Heart, Thou ark containing the Law, not of the old servitude, but of grace, and indulgence, and also of mercy.

2. O Heart, Thou spotless sanctuary of the new covenant,Thou Temple, holier than the ancient one, And Veil, more profitable than that torn of old.

3. Charity willed Thee to be wounded; by the spear thrust opened, that we might venerate the wounds of an invisible love.

4. Under this symbol of love, having suffered bloody and mystical torments,Christ the Priest offered each in sacrifice.

5. Who would not love in turn the One so loving him? Who, being thus redeemed, would not love, and choose eternal dwellings in this Heart?

6. O Jesus, to Thee be glory, Who pourest grace from Thy heart, with the Father and the loving Spirit unto everlasting ages. Amen.

Cor, arca legem cóntinens Non servitútis véteris Sed grátiæ, sed veniæ Sed et misericórdiæ

Cor, sanctuárium novi Intemerátum fœ́deris Templum vetústo sánctius Velúmque scisso utílius

Te vulnerátum cáritas Ictu paténti vóluit Amóris invisíbilis Ut venerémur vúlnera

Hoc sub amóris sýmbolo Passus cruénta et mýstica Utrúmque sacrifícium Christus Sacérdos óbtulit

Quis non amántem rédamet Quis non redémptus díligat Et Corde in isto séligat Ætérna tabernácula

Jesu, tibi sit glória Qui Corde fundis grátiam Cum Patre et almo Spíritu In sempitérna sǽcula Amen

Link to the music

A hymn to St. John the Baptist, written by Paul the Deacon in the 8th century. You may never have heard of this hymn, unless you’ve studied music history or theory, as it’s not particularly well-known or popular, but it is actually extraordinarily influential. In this episode, you'll learn about the origin of SOLFEGE, which of course culminated in 1956, when Rogers and Hammerstein composed the most important piece of music ever written; Do, a Deer. Enjoy!

Link to full lyrics (all 13 verses)

For thy spirit, holy John, to chastenLips sin-polluted, fettered tongues to loosen;So by thy children might thy deeds of wonderMeetly be chanted.

Lo! a swift herald, from the skies descending,Bears to thy father promise of thy greatness;How he shall name thee, what thy future story,Duly revealing.

Scarcely believing message so transcendent,Him for a season power of speech forsaketh, Till, at thy wondrous birth, again returneth

Voice to the voiceless.The heavenly citizens celebrate you with lauds, one God and at once triune; we also come imploring forgiveness; spare us among the redeemed.

Thou, in thy mother's womb all darkly cradled, Knewest thy Monarch, biding in His chamber, Whence the two parents, through their children's merits, Mysteries uttered.

Praise to the Father, to the Son begotten,And to the Spirit, equal power. possessing,One God whose glory, through the lapse of ages,Ever resoundeth. Amen.

Ut queant laxis resonare fibris mira gestorum famuli tuorum, solve polluti labiis reatum, sancte Joannes.

Nuntius celso veniens Olympo, te patri magnum fore nasciturum, nomen, et vitae seriem gerendae, ordine promit.

Ille promissi dubius superniper didit promptae modulos loquelae; sed reformasti genitus peremptae organa vocis.

Laudibus cives celebrant supernite, Deus simplex pariterque trine; supplices ac nos veniam precamur: parce redemptis.

Ventris obstruso recubans cubili, senseras Regem thalamo manentem: hinc parens, nati, meritis, uterque, abdita pandit.

Sit decus Patri, genitaeque proliet tibi, compare utriusque virtus, Spiritus semper, Deus unus, omni Temporis aevo. Amen.

Link to the music

Happy Solemnity of Corpus Christi! We present another one of St. Thomas's amazing hymns for this solemnity - Sacris Solemniis.

St. Thomas Aquinas was a theologian, a philosopher, and one of the greatest intellects of all time. He is known as the Angelic Doctor of the Church. But did you know he is also regarded as one of the greatest Catholic poets of all time? And he only wrote 5 poems – 38 stanzas of poetry.

In 1264, Pope Urban IV established the Solemnity of The Body of Christ, and asked St. Thomas Aquinas to write the texts for the Mass and the Divine Office for this new feast. Although St. Thomas was known for his scholarly – not poetical – work, he produced five of the best, known, best loved hymns in history:

1. Adoro Te Devote

2. Sacris Solemniis (Known for the final two verses: “Panis angelicus…”)

3. Verbum Supernum Prodiens (Known for the final two verses: “O salutaris hostia…”)

4. Pange Lingua (Known for the final two verses: “Tantum ergo…”)

5. Lauda Sion (Known for its final verses: “Ecce panis angelorum…”)

LYRICS:

SACRIS solemniis iuncta sint gaudia, et ex praecordiis sonent praeconia; recedant vetera, nova sint omnia, corda, voces, et opera.

AT this our solemn feast let holy joys abound, and from the inmost breast let songs of praise resound; let ancient rites depart, and all be new around, in every act, and voice, and heart.

Noctis recolitur cena novissima, qua Christus creditur agnum et azyma dedisse fratribus, iuxta legitima priscis indulta patribus.

Remember we that eve, when, the Last Supper spread, Christ, as we all believe, the Lamb, with leavenless bread, among His brethren shared, and thus the Law obeyed, of all unto their sire declared.

Post agnum typicum, expletis epulis, Corpus Dominicum datum discipulis, sic totum omnibus, quod totum singulis, eius fatemur manibus.

The typic Lamb consumed, the legal Feast complete, the Lord unto the Twelve His Body gave to eat; the whole to all, no less the whole to each did mete with His own hands, as we confess.

Dedit fragilibus corporis ferculum, dedit et tristibus sanguinis poculum, dicens: Accipite quod trado vasculum; omnes ex eo bibite.

He gave them, weak and frail, His Flesh, their Food to be; on them, downcast and sad, His Blood bestowed He: and thus to them He spake, "Receive this Cup from Me, and all of you of this partake."

Sic sacrificium istud instituit, cuius officium committi voluit solis presbyteris, quibus sic congruit, ut sumant, et dent ceteris.

So He this Sacrifice to institute did will, and charged His priests alone that office to fulfill: in them He did confide: to whom it pertains still to take, and the rest divide.

Panis angelicus fit panis hominum; dat panis caelicus figuris terminum; O res mirabilis: manducat Dominum pauper, servus et humilis.

Thus Angels' Bread is made the Bread of man today: the Living Bread from heaven with figures dost away: O wondrous gift indeed! the poor and lowly may upon their Lord and Master feed.

Te, trina Deitas unaque, poscimus: sic nos tu visita, sicut te colimus; per tuas semitas duc nos quo tendimus, ad lucem quam inhabitas.

Thee, therefore, we implore, o Godhead, One in Three, so may Thou visit us as we now worship Thee; and lead us on Thy way, That we at last may see the light wherein Thou dwellest aye.

Link to Music

St. Thomas Aquinas was a theologian, a philosopher, and one of the greatest intellects of all time. He is known as the Angelic Doctor of the Church. But did you know he is also regarded as one of the greatest Catholic poets of all time? And he only wrote 5 poems – 38 stanzas of poetry.

In 1264, Pope Urban IV established the Solemnity of The Body of Christ, and asked St. Thomas Aquinas to write the texts for the Mass and the Divine Office for this new feast. Although St. Thomas was known for his scholarly – not poetical – work, he produced five of the best, known, best loved hymns in history:

1. Adoro Te Devote

2. Sacris Solemniis (Known for the final two verses: “Panis angelicus…”)

3. Verbum Supernum Prodiens (Known for the final two verses: “O salutaris hostia…”)

4. Pange Lingua (Known for the final two verses: “Tantum ergo…”)

5. Lauda Sion (Known for its final verses: “Ecce panis angelorum…”)

Inspired by a hymn written 800 years earlier, St. Thomas's Pange Lingua is considered the most beautiful of his hymns for Corpus Christi.

ENGLISH (literal)

Sing, O my tongue, and praise the mystery of the glorious body and the most precious blood, shed to save the world by the King of the nations, the fruit of a noble womb.

Unto us he was given, he was born unto us of a Virgin untainted and pure; he dwelt among us in the world, sowing the seeds of God’s word; and he ended the time of his stay on earth in the most wondrous of fashions.

On his last night at supper, reclining at table in the midst of his brethren disciples, He fully observed the Ancient Law and partook of the Passover meal; and then, with his own hands, he gave himself up as food for the group of the Twelve.

The Word made flesh, by a simple word, makes of his flesh the true bread; the blood of Christ becomes our drink; and though senses cannot perceive, for confirming pure hearts in true belief, faith alone suffices.

In face of so great a mystery, therefore, let us bow down and worship; let precepts of the Ancient Law give way to the new Gospel rite; and let faith assist us and help us make up for what senses fail to perceive.

Unto the Father and the Son, our praise and our joyful singing; unto whom saving power, honor and might, and every holy blessing; and to the Spirit who proceeds from both, an equal tribute of glory. Amen.

LATIN

PANGE, lingua, gloriosi Corporis mysterium, Sanguinisque pretiosi, quem in mundi pretium fructus ventris generosi Rex effudit Gentium.

Nobis datus, nobis natus ex intacta Virgine, et in mundo conversatus, sparso verbi semine, sui moras incolatus miro clausit ordine.

In supremae nocte cenae recumbens cum fratribus observata lege plene cibis in legalibus, cibum turbae duodenae se dat suis manibus.

Verbum caro, panem verum verbo carnem efficit: fitque sanguis Christi merum, et si sensus deficit, ad firmandum cor sincerum sola fides sufficit.

Tantum ergo Sacramentum veneremur cernui: et antiquum documentum novo cedat ritui: praestet fides supplementum sensuum defectui.

Genitori, Genitoque laus et iubilatio, salus, honor, virtus quoque sit et benedictio: procedenti ab utroque compar sit laudatio. Amen. Alleluia.

Link to music

Happy Pentecost! Veni Creator Spiritus is one of the most popular, widely used hymns to the Holy Spirit in the Church. It has been translated into a number of English hymns (Come Holy Ghost, Creator Blest; Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid, to name a few). Today, we'll learn the original Gregorian Chant -- of course! And be sure to sing this one on Pentecost to get a Plenary Indulgence -- all the other usual requirements for the indulgence still apply. Let's get some souls out of Purgatory this Pentecost!

Come Creator Spirit, visit the souls of Thy people, fill with grace from on high the hearts which Thou hast created.

Thou Who art called the Comforter, gift of the most high God, living fountain, fire, love and unction of souls.

Sevenfold in Thy gifts, finger of the Father’s right hand, Thou promised truly by the Father, giving speech to tongues.

Inflame our senses with Thy light, pour Thy love into our hearts, strengthen our weak bodies with lasting power.

Drive far away the enemy, grant peace at all times: so under Thy guidance may we avoid all evil.

Grant us by Thee to know the Father and to know the Son, and Thee, Spirit of both, may we always believe.

To God the Father be glory, to the Son Who rose from the dead and to the Comforter, for all ages. Amen.

Veni, creator Spiritus,

mentes tuorum visita,

imple superna gratia,

quae tu creasti, pectora.

Qui diceris Paraclitus,

donum Dei altissimi,

fons vivus, ignis, caritas,

et spiritalis unctio.

Tu septiformis munere,

dextrae Dei tu digitus,

tu rite promissum Patris,

sermone ditans guttura.

Accende lumen sensibus,

infunde amorem cordibus,

infirma nostri corporis

virtute firmans perpeti.

Hostem repellas longius

pacemque dones protinus;

ductore sic te praevio

vitemus omne noxium.

Per te sciamus da Patrem

noscamus atque Filium,

te utriusque Spiritum

credamus omni tempore.

Deo Patri sit gloria,

et Filio qui a mortuis

surrexit, ac Paraclito,

in saeculorum saecula.

Music: http://gregorian-chant-hymns.com/hymns-2/regina-caeli-simple-pdf.pdf

Happy Easter! In this episode, Gianna returns to help Thomas teach the simple tone of the Marian Antiphon for the Easter season: Regina Caeli. Listen to hear the story of how this chant was originally sung for Pope Gregory the Great by an Angelic Choir!

REGINA, caeli, laetare, alleluia: Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia, Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.

O QUEEN of heaven rejoice! alleluia: For He whom thou didst merit to bear, alleluia, Hath arisen as he said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia.

Happy Easter!!! Wouldn't it be a shame if we only got to celebrate Easter for one lousy day?

Music, courtesy of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest: http://www.institute-christ-king.org/uploads/music/tempore/MassLowSun_lg.pdf

Happy Easter!!! Except...if you're learning the propers for Easter Sunday, it's likely during Holy Week, so the A-word is still off limits and we're actually in the throes of the Passion. But you're almost there!

Music, courtesy of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest: https://www.institute-christ-king.org/uploads/music/tempore/MassEasterSun_lg.pdf

Music: https://gregobase.selapa.net/chant.php?id=3038

The Parce Domine is based on a passage from the book of Joel, and has its origins as a chant as early as the 6th century.

Today Thomas is joined by a special guest host. We hope she's willing to come back and join us again!

1. Let us appease His wrath, Beg for mercy from our Judge; Cry to Him in supplication, Let us all prostrate and say:

2. By our sins we have offended against your mercy, O God Pour forth from above O pardoning One, your forgiveness

3. Having given us this acceptable time, grant that in the water of our tears we may purify our heart and that it may become a joyful sacrifice offered out of love.

4. O Merciful Creator, hear our prayers with our weeping in this holy time of forty day fasting.