Royal Hymn

In honor of the Feast of Christ the King, I present excerpts of the hymn Christus Vincit as it was chanted at the 2010 CMAA Winter Chant Intensive. (In case you want to know what I look like, I am the first one in the front pew with the rest of the men.)

The text and translation is courtesy of The Parish Book of Chant.

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Christus vincit! Christus regnat! Christus imperat!

Exaudi, Christe.

Benedicto, Summo Pontifici, in unum populos doctrina congreganti caritate: Pastori gratia gregi obsequentia.

Salvator mundi, Tu illum adjuva.
Sancta Maria, Tu illum adjuva.
Sancte Petre, Tu illum adjuva.
Sancte Paule, Tu illum adjuva.
Sancte Benedicte, Tu illum adjuva.

Rex regum! Rex noster! Spes nostra! Gloria nostra!

Magistratibus et omnibus concivibus nobiscum orantibus: cordis vera quies votorum effctus.

Auxilium christianorum, Tu illos adjuva.
Sancte Michael, Tu illos adjuva.
Sancte Benedicte, Tu illos adjuva.

Ipsi soli imperium, laus et jubilatio per infinita saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Tempora bona habeant! Tempora bona habeant redempti Sanguine Christi.

Feliciter!

Pax Christi veniat! Regnum Christi veniat! Deo Gratias! Amen.

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Christ conquers! Christ reigns! Christ commands!

Give ear, O Christ!

To the Supreme Pontiff [Benedict], who gathereth into one all peoples through doctrine, in charity: let there be dignity for our Shepherd, and obedience for his flock.

O Saviour of the world, grant him assistance.
Holy Mary,...
Holy Peter,...
Holy Paul,...
Holy Benedict,...

King of Kings! Our King! Our hope! Our glory!

To the magistrates and all fellow citizens praying with us: let the effect of their devotions be true rest for the heart.

O help of Christians, grant them assistance.
Holy Michael,...
Holy Benedict,...

Let all power, praise, and jubilation be to Him alone, through endless ages to ages. Amen.

May they have prosperous times! May they have prosperous times by the redemptive Blood of Christ!

Joyously!

Let the Peace of Christ come! Let the Reign of Christ come! Thanks be to God! Amen.

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Originally posted 11/20/2011.
Re-posted 11/25/2012.
Re-posted 11/23/2014.
Re-posted 11/22/2015.
Re-posted 11/20/2016.
Re-posted 11/26/2017.
Re-posted 11/25/2018.

Re-posted 11/24/2019.

Re-posted 11/22/2020.

Re-posted 11/21/2021.

Re-posted 11/20/2022.

Re-posted 11/26/2023.

With Royal Diadem

The original text was written by Matthew Brown in 1851 and altered by Godfrey Thring twenty years later. The tune, DIADMATA, was composed by George Elvey. This is a somewhat all encompassing representation of the many titles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.

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1. Crown Him with many crowns,

The Lamb upon His throne;

Hark! how the heav’nly anthem drowns

All music but its own!

Awake, my soul, and sing

Of Him who died for thee,

And hail Him as thy matchless King

Through all eternity.

2. Crown Him the Virgin’s Son,

The God Incarnate born,

Whose arm those crimson trophies won

Which now His brow adorn:

Fruit of the mystic Tree,

As of that Tree the Stem;

The Root whence flows Thy mercy free,

The Babe of Bethlehem.

3. Crown Him the Lord of Love:

Behold His hands and side;

Rich wounds yet visible above

In beauty glorified:

No angel in the sky

Can fully bear that sight,

But downward bends his burning eye

At mysteries so bright.

4. Crown Him the Lord of peace,

Whose power a scepter sways

From pole to pole, that wars may cease,

And all be prayer and praise.

His reign shall know no end,

And round His pierced feet

Fair flowers of glory now extend

Their fragrance ever sweet.

5. Crown Him the Lord of years,

The Potentate of time.

Creator of the rolling spheres,

Ineffably sublime.

All hail, Redeemer, hail!

For Thou hast died for me;

Thy praise shall never, never fail

Throughout eternity.

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Originally posted 11/26/2023.

With Full Heart And Voice

Anther gem from the pen of Charles Wesley. The tune was composed by John Darwall. Although more appropriate for Ascension, this is another fitting tribute to close the liturgical year.

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Rejoice, the Lord is King:
Your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing,
And triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Jesus, the Savior, reigns,
The God of truth and love;
When He has purged our stains,
He took his seat above;
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

His kingdom cannot fail,
He rules o'er earth and heav'n;
The keys of death and hell
Are to our Jesus giv'n:
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Rejoice in glorious hope!
Our Lord and judge shall come
And take His servants up
To their eternal home:
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

Christus Rex

1. To Jesus Christ, our Sov'reign King,
Who is the world's salvation,
All praise and homage do we bring,
And thanks and adoration.

Refrain:  Christ Jesus Victor, Christ Jesus Ruler!
Christ Jesus, Lord and Redeemer!

2. Thy reign extend, O King benign,
To ev'ry land and nation,
For in Thy kingdom, Lord divine,
Alone we find salvation.

(Refrain)

3. To Thee and to Thy Church, great King,
We pledge our hearts' oblation,
Until before Thy throne we sing,
In endless jubilation.

(Refrain)

From the 2 Hearts Network, here is a link to prayers specifically about our King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

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Originally posted 11/25/2007.
Re-posted 11/21/2010.
Re-posted 11/25/2012.
Re-posted 11/24/2013.
Re-posted 11/23/2014.
Re-posted 11/22/2015.
Re-posted 11/20/2016.
Re-posted 11/26/2017.
Re-posted 11/25/2018.

Re-posted 11/24/2019.

Re-posted 11/22/2020.

Re-posted 11/21/2021.

Re-posted 11/20/2022.

Re-posted 11/26/2023.

Another Musical Saint

As today is the Memorial of St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr and patron saint of musicians, I thought it would be appropriate to introduce you to another female saint who also made a significant contribution to the treasury of sacred music.

St. Hildegard of Binden (c. 1098-1176) was a Benedictine abbess and polymath. Her contributions in many other fields, both sacred and secular, lead to her becoming the fourth female Doctor of the Church in 2012. A truly remarkable woman, no matter in what time she may have lived.

Enjoy this presentation of her chant.

November 2024 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when praying the Morning Offering:

For Anyone Who Has Lost A Child. We pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community and receive peace and consolation from the Holy Spirit.

(UPDATE:  11/30/23) A reflection for this intention can be found here.

October 2024 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when praying the Morning Offering:

For A Shared Mission. We pray that the Church continue to sustain in all ways a Synodal lifestyle, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, the communion and the mission shared among priests, religious and lay people.

(UPDATE:  10/31/23) A reflection for this intention can be found here.

 

Last Time As A Teen

It all began nineteen years ago.

228 months later, it continues.

No, there hasn't been at least one post a day for the past 6,940 days. (You forgot about Leap Days, didn't you?) That has never been a goal. Prolific posting has never been a hallmark of this infinitesimal corner of the universe, considering there have only been 1,300+ original posts during this time (remember, I am the king of re-posting).

What has been the goal of this 'blog as it has evolved are thoughtful, quality posts. Your mileage may vary as to how that standard has been met. It also has found a bit of focus with matters musical, liturgical, spiritual, and personal. It has and will be a work in progress, much like the 'blogmaster.

I still have a "still, small voice". I have noticed a very slight uptick in views of new material. It does give me hope the continued maturing will regain me a cornerstone audience and the continued building of a following. While I wonder if the halcyon days of 'blogging are over, as other types of social media has seeming left this format in the dust, I still believe in both the medium and the message it can deliver. A more concerted effort is necessary. (Yes, I know I have said that in various ways over the years. I am such a tease that way. I hope the wait for my musings will be worth it.)

So, the 'blogosphere will still have me around.

It's still worth it to hit the "publish" button on Blogger.

I still welcome your presence as I reestablish mine.

Besides, I want to see the chronological odometer change.

 

A Tragedy Remembered Again

 

Twenty-three years. In relation to the age of our country, it is only 9.27 % our its existence. Our history has had many milestone moments, events which have shape us into the nation we are now, dotted on our timeline:  the dramas of war, the expansion and conquering of territory, the metamorphosis from agrarian to industrial to technological ages. These are duly noted in ways catalogued large and writ small.

But it was on this date two score and three years ago that perhaps has given us our greatest existential challenge, in a way Satan could only execute. Brilliantly diabolical and completely unexpected, the result was even better than anticipated. Four jet airliners became weapons of mass destruction. Two were flown into the original Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, NY, completely destroying them. One went nose first into the Pentagon in Washington, DC, doing significant damage. The last was destined for the White House had not a passenger said, "Let's roll," diverting it to a farm field near Shanksville, PA.

The damage to the national psyche is still evident. The cost of 2,996 lives. A change in how we are combating the threats that terrorism presents. And, perhaps (and I would venture to say there may be someone who has or can draw the conclusion) this was the start of the rupturing of our country to the point where we are today.

This is not the time to debate that point. This unofficial national holiday, much like June 6 and December 7, is a time of remembrance and healing. It is a time of firming our resolve that "We the People of the United States" will recover and continue the work of forming "a more perfect Union". It is a time to resume the task of this tragedy shaping us, not deforming us.

Many communities held a "day of service" this past Saturday. There will be the now usual memorial services and tributes today. As always, if your schedule allows, be a part of whatever is done to commemorate this tragic dot on the timeline.

"Never Forget."

September 2024 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when praying the Morning Offering:

For The Cry Of The Earth. We pray that each one of us will hear and take to heart the cry of the Earth and of victims of natural disasters and climactic change, and that all will undertake to personally care for the world in which we live.