The Schola Cantorum will sing two of the most well-loved and emblematic pieces of their respective genres this Sunday – “Super Flumina Babylonis” by Palestrina and “Beati Quorum Via” by Charles Villiers Stanford as well as a setting of the sui generis “O Frondens Virga” by Hildegard of Bingen.
10am Mass, Preparation of the Gifts
"Super Flumina" quotes Psalm 136 and recalls the Babylonian captivity of the Israelites, and their despair while along the river remembering their homeland. The text also emphasizes the plight of those without a home or homeland, such as Lazarus in the Gospel, whose “home” was the outside the door of the rich man. Palestrina’s setting of the text is hauntingly minor in tonality and evocative in describing the plight of those who long to be free and at home.
To hear the Schola Cantorum in rehearsal for this Sunday, click below:
11:30am Mass, Preparation of the Gifts
"Ubi Caritas" is a chant from the Washing of Feet ritual on Holy Thursday. The text bids us to live a life that cares for one another with sincere hearts, and thereby invite Christ to dwell among us as we imitate his selfless and unconditional love. This setting is by contemporary liturgical composer, James Biery.
10am Mass, Post-Communion Motet
"Beati Quorum Via" is taken from Stanford’s three motets, op. 38. It captures a gentle ambulatory movement in its successive lines of quarter notes that are so characteristic of this piece. The peaceful quality of this setting of Psalm 119, characterizes the inner peace of those, who, unlike the rich man, seek the law of the Lord and put the needs of others ahead of their own earthly gains. To hear a setting, click below.
11:30am Mass, Post-Communion Motet
"O Frondens Virga" is a contemporary setting of a chant by St. Hildegard of Bingen whose feast is celebrated on September 17. The text is a prayer for freedom from evil habits, such as ignoring the plight of the poor among us, and hence its consonance with the themes of today’s readings. This setting by Drew Collins takes Hildegard’s monophonic chant and sets it within both homophonic and polyphonic musical elements.
To experience another setting of this same chant, click below.