A festive weekend we have ahead in the liturgical calendar! The great feast of the Annunciation and the respite in the middle of Lent (Laetare Sunday) fall on the same weekend this year, and there will be a sung mass for each.
FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION
Schola Marianum will sing tomorrow for the 10am high mass, and music will focus on the works of Palestrina, along with a couple other motets:
Missa Brevis (Palestrina)
Ave Maria a’5 (Palestrina)
Ecce Virgo Concipiet (Isaac) – text taken from the communion proper of the feast
Dixit Maria (Hassler) – Translation: Mary said to the Angel:
Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord,
let it be done to me, according to your word.
Ego Sum Panis (Palestrina) – Translation: I am that bread of life.
Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
LAETARE SUNDAY – 4th SUNDAY OF LENT
This year, on Laetare Sunday, we will hear the organ, as is allowed in the liturgical rubrics, but it will then fall silent again until Easter Vigil.
We will sing Missa L’Hora Passa by Viadana, rather than the typical chanted mass setting for Lent.
There will be a couple motets by the women schola, accompanied by organ:
Ave Regina Caelorum (Webbe) – Seasonal Marian antiphon; Translation:
Hail, O Queen of Heav’n enthron’d,
Hail, by angels Mistress own’d
Root of Jesse, Gate of morn,
Whence the world’s true light was born.
Glorious Virgin, joy to thee,
Loveliest whom in Heaven they see,
Fairest thou where all are fair!
Plead with Christ our sins to spare.
Laudate Dominum (Perosi) – text taken from the offertory proper of the mass
And then the full choir will sing “Ave Regina Caelorum” by Surianus, and “Attende Domine” at communion.
Attende Domine – notes and translation
This lenten hymn is an ancient Mozarabic hymn from the 10th century. It captures well the sentiments of Lent:
Refrain:
Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy,
Because we have sinned against Thee.
1. To Thee, highest King,
Redeemer of all,
We lift up our eyes
In weeping:
Hear, O Christ, the prayers
of your servants.
Refrain
2. Right hand of the Father,
Cornerstone,
Way of salvation,
Gate of heaven,
Wash away our
Stains of sin.
Refrain
3. We beseech Thee, God,
In Thy great majesty:
Hear our groans
With Thy holy ears:
Calmly forgive
Our crimes.
Refrain
4. To Thee we confess
Our sins admitted
With a contrite heart
We reveal the things hidden:
By Thy kindness, O Redeemer,
Overlook them.
Refrain
5. The Innocent, seized,
Not refusing to be led;
Condemned by false witnesses
On account of impious men
Those whom Thou hast redeemed,
Keep safe, O Christ.
Refrain