Lucis Creator Optime, Sunday Vespers

After a break for the summer, Sung Vespers and Benediction recommences at Immaculate Heart Parish this week at 4.45pm on Sunday.

Vespers and Benediction are a perfect opportunity to continue our thanksgiving after Mass in the morning and to participate in more of the liturgical prayer of the Church.

For what to expect, click here. For insights into the connection between Mass and Vespers click here.

To whet your appetite, here is the hymn for Vespers on Sundays after Epiphany and after Pentecost, Lucis Creator Optime. Written by Pope St Gregory the Great in the second half of the 6th century, this hymn speaks of the first day of creation with the Vespers hymns for the rest of the week following likewise.

Continue reading “Lucis Creator Optime, Sunday Vespers”

Feast of the Assumption: Ave Maris Stella, Marcel Dupré

Blessed be Her Glorious Assumption! 

On this feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I wish to share the hymn from Second Vespers ‘Ave Maris Stella.’ This hymn dates back to the 11th century and is of unknown origin, although it is often attributed to St Bernard. It is, however, a much later rendering that I write of here, that of Marcel Dupre.

Continue reading “Feast of the Assumption: Ave Maris Stella, Marcel Dupré”

James MacMillan: A Scots Song, A Life of Music

Amazon is clever and has got to know me over the last few years. She is so astute, in fact, that she suggested James MacMillan’s autobiography to me before it was even available. As a music student I was aware of MacMillan’s work and came across some of his liturgical music. Even before I became Catholic, I had excitedly shared his earth-shattering Tu Es Petrus with friends around the time of Pope Benedict’s visit in 2010. The first time I sang chant as at the Musica Sacra day in 2014, the year before I was received into the Church. In some ways, MacMillan has influenced me more than I had realised.

Continue reading “James MacMillan: A Scots Song, A Life of Music”

Gregorian Chant: Music of Heaven on Earth

As a boy of 12, I remember our protestant minister commenting on the playing of my friend who was practicing the trumpet. ‘That is heavenly music’ he said with a wide grin. My friend’s satisfaction with the complement was shattered as the elderly man continued ‘it’s of no earthly use!’ What seemed like a remark made in jest, shattered my poor companion – once he had fully realised what it meant, that is.

Continue reading “Gregorian Chant: Music of Heaven on Earth”

Good Friday- Crux Fidelis (Pange Lingua)

Most Catholics would associate the text Pange Ligua with the hymn for the feast of Corpus Christi by the Angelic Doctor of the Church, St Thomas Aquinas. It is however, from the much earlier chant Pange Lingua by Venantius Fortunatus (530-609) that St Thomas took inspiration. It is worth pondering in this the true nature of tradition: development in seamless continuity with what has been handed down.

Continue reading “Good Friday- Crux Fidelis (Pange Lingua)”

Holy Thursday- Ubi Caritas

Ubi Caritas is one of the antiphons prescribed for the Mandatum – the washing of feet at the evening Mass on Holy Thursday (Novus Ordo, Ubi Caritas is an option for the offertory antiphon). The hymn reflects Our Lord’s ‘new commandment’ that the apostles might love on another as well as His prayer that they ‘may all be one.’ The text therefore is expressive of the Holy Eucharist and the Sacred Priesthood.

Continue reading “Holy Thursday- Ubi Caritas”