Sunday 31 March 2013

Bona Dies, Amici - Latin for Aussies



Had a bit of fun yesterday after the Easter Vigil, when Zephyrinus and I introduced the amiable Australian priest, Fr. Simon Leworthy (formerly of the FSSP and now based at St Bede's, Clapham Park) to a version of 'Waltzing Matilda' in Latin.


 
Fr Leworthy - from Joseph Shaw's photostream

 
Here are the lyrics for your delectation.

CARMEN VAGABUNDUM (T.W.Melluish)
[Waltzing Matilda]

1. tendit in fusis amnis erro lacubus
grato sub tegmine myrteti,
cecinitque tuens dum fervet igne caccabus
"quis comes ambiclitella mihi?"

Chorus: ambiclitella, ambiclitella,
tu comes ambiclitella mihi
cecinitque tuens
dum fervet igne caccabus
"tu comes ambiclitella mihi"

2. venit ovicula - vult sorbitiunculam,
corripit erro, exsultans vi,
et in peram ut condit, canit cantiunculam:
"tu comes ambiclitella mihi?

Chorus: ambiclitella, ambiclitella,
tu comes ambiclitella mihi
et in peram ut condit,
canit cantiunculam:
"tu comes ambiclitella mihi"

3. venit colonus, equitans agricola;
hunc comitantur tres viri.
"cuius in pera latet haec ovicula?"
tu comes ambiclitella mihi!"

Chorus: ambiclitella, ambiclitella,
tu comes ambiclitella mihi
"cuius in pera
latet haec ovicula?"
"tu comes ambiclitella mihi!"

4. praeceps sed erro ruit in voraginem,
se boat vivum nolle capi.
lacubusque canentem audias imaginem:
"tu comes ambiclitella mihi"

Chorus: ambiclitella, ambiclitella,
quis comes ambiclitella mihi?
lacubusque canentem
audias imaginem:
"quis comes ambiclitella mihi?"
 
This, and Latin versions of other well-known songs, can be found in the ARLT songbook here.

p.s. - The post title, of course, translates as 'G'day mates' :-)

Music for Easter 4 - O Filii et Filiae

Beautiful Latin Hymn for Easter.

Music for Easter 3 - Victimae Pachali Laudes

 
 
The Sequence for Mass on Easter Sunday. The 'Maria' mentioned in the second verse is Mary Magdalene, who, having earlier repented of her former sinful life, and anointed Our Lord's feet with ointment and her own tears, is rewarded by being first to meet the risen Jesus. She rejoices with the words 'Christ, my Hope is risen'.

Music for Easter 2 - Kyrie I (Lux et Origo)

The Kyrie from Mass I, for the Easter Season. The melody always gives me the sense of dawn breaking and perhaps a spring breeze blowing gently.

Music for Easter 1 - Vidi Aquam



In Eastertide, this chant takes the place of 'Asperges Me' at the ceremony of sprinkling of Holy Water before Mass. The verse alludes to the water that flowed from the side of Christ's body after His Crucifixion, and which, after his Resurrection, cleanses us of our sins.

Saturday 30 March 2013

Music for Easter Vigil - Alleluia

 
 The beautiful antiphon which greets the Gospel at the Easter Vigil in the Traditional Roman Rite

Music for Easter Vigil - The Exultet

The ancient proclamation of Easter (Praeconium Paschale or Exultet), traditionally sung at the Easter Vigil by a Deacon, vested in white, following the blessing of the New Fire and Paschal candle.

Video is in two parts.



Friday 29 March 2013

Music for Good Friday 4 - When I Survey the Wondrous Cross



Couldn't resist one old favourite vernacular hymn - Isaac Watts' masterpiece sun to the traditional tune of 'Rockingham' by the Choir of King's College, Cambridge.

This version includes the often-omitted verse:-
His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o'er His body on the tree:
And I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Music for Good Friday 3 - Crux Fidelis

 
 
Hymn in praise of the Triumph of the Cross. I always feel that the chant melody suggests well the bleakness of the hillside of Calvary after the Crucifixion, but also conveys a sense of nobility and hope.
 
This video shows a Pilgrimage chapel in Germany - the Crucifix conveys well Our Lord's suffering; the ex voto offerings around it, the victory of His Passion.

Music for Good Friday 2 - Improperia

 
 
The Improperia, or Reproaches, sung during the Adoration of the Cross in the Good Friday Liturgy

Popule meus, quid feci tibi? aut in quo constristavi te? responde mihi.
My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you answer me!

Quia eduxi te de terra Aegypti: parasti Crucem Salvatori tuo.
I led you out of Egypt from slavery to freedom, but you have led your Savior, and
nailed Him to a cross.

Agios o Theos.
Sanctus Deus. (Holy God)
Agios ischyros.
Sanctus fortis. (Holy, Strong)
Agios athanatos eleison imas.
Sanctus immortalis, miserere nobis. (Holy, Immortal, have mercy upon us)

Quia eduxi te per desertum quadraginta annis: et manna cibavi te, et introduxi te in terram satis bonam: parasti crucem Salvatori tuo.
For forty years in safety, I led you through the desert, I fed you with my manna,
I gave you your own land, but you have led your Savior, and nailed Him to a Cross.

Agios o Theos.
Sanctus Deus. (Holy God)
Agios ischyros.
Sanctus fortis. (Holy, Strong)
Agios athanatos eleison imas.
Sanctus immortalis, miserere nobis. (Holy, Immortal, have mercy upon us)

Quid ultra debui facere tibi, et non feci? Ego quidem plantavi te vineam meam speciosissimam: et tu facta es mihi nimis amara; aceto namque sitim meam potasti, et lancea perforasti latus Salvatori tuo. O what more would you ask from me? I planted you, my vineyard, but sour grapes you
gave me, and vinegar to drink, and you have pierced your Savior and pierced Him with a spear.

Agios o Theos.
Sanctus Deus. (Holy God)
Agios ischyros.
Sanctus fortis. (Holy, Strong)
Agios athanatos eleison imas.
Sanctus immortalis, miserere nobis. (Holy, Immortal, have mercy upon us)

Ego propter te flagellavi Aegyptum cum primogenitis suis; et tu me flagellatum tradidisti.
For you I scourged your captors, their first born sons were taken, but you have
taken scourges and brought them down on Me.

Popule meus, quid feci tibi? aut in quo constristavi te? responde mihi.
My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you answer me!

Ego eduxi te de Aegypto, demerso Pharaone in mare rubrum; et tu me tradidìsti principibus Sacerdotum.
From slavery to freedom I led you, drowned your captors. But I am taken captive
and handed to your priests.

Popule meus, quid feci tibi? aut in quo constristavi te? responde mihi.
My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you answer me!

Ego ante te aperui mare, et tu aperuisti lancea latus meum.
Your path lay through the waters, I opened them before you, my side you have laid
open and bared it with a spear.

Popule meus, quid feci tibi? aut in quo constristavi te? responde mihi.
My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you answer me!

Ego ante te praeivi in columna nubis: et tu me duxisti ad praetorium Pilati.
I led you, held securely, My fire and cloud before you, but you have led your
Savior, hands bound to Pilate's court.

Popule meus, quid feci tibi? aut in quo constristavi te? responde mihi.
My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you answer me!

Ego te pavi manna per desertum; et tu me caecidisti alapis, et flagellis.
I bore you up with manna, you bore me down and scourged me.

Popule meus, quid feci tibi? aut in quo constristavi te? responde mihi.
My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you answer me!

Ego te potavi aqua salutis de petra; et tu me potasti felle, et aceto.
I gave you saving water, but you gave me soured wine.

Popule meus, quid feci tibi? aut in quo constristavi te? responde mihi.
My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you answer me!

Ego propter te Chananaeorum Reges percussi: et tu percussisti arundine caput meum.
The kings who reigned in Canaan, I struck way before you. But you have struck my
crowned head, and struck it with a reed.

Popule meus, quid feci tibi? aut in quo constristavi te? responde mihi.
My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you answer me!

Ego dedi tibi sceptrum regale; et tu dedisti capiti med spineam coronam.
I gave you a royal scepter but you gave me a thorn crown

Popule meus, quid feci tibi? aut in quo constristavi te? responde mihi.
My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you answer me!

Ego te exaltavi magna virtute; et tu me suspendisti in patibulo Crucis.
I raised you up in power, but you raised me on the Cross.

Popule meus, quid feci tibi? aut in quo constristavi te? responde mihi.
My people, My people what have I done to you, how have I offended you answer me!

Miserere nostri, Domine!

Thursday 28 March 2013

Music for Good Friday 1 - Tenebrae Factae Sunt


Antiphon from Matins (Tenebrae) for Good Friday

Music for Maundy Thursday - Pange Lingua


Hymn sung during the procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose after Mass of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday (attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas).

A magnificent Altar of Repose



Monday 25 March 2013

A bit of comfort in Passiontide - Hymn to Our Lady



Have just come in from a long, cold journey home after a busy day at work. Have also been reflecting on some of the Liturgy from yesterday, and aspects of Our Lord's Passion. It is at times like this we need to remember the loving care He has left us in His Blessed Mother.

Our Lady of Carmel
 


This beautiful old hymn by Fr Fredrick William Faber (an Oratorian and contemporary of Newman), seems to sum things up beautifully.

 
 
Fr. Faber
 
 
 

Thursday 21 March 2013

Confirmation



Please pray for a roup of young people from Blackfen who are due to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this evening, that the gifts of the Holy Spirit will enrich their lives and help them to grow in Faith and the Love of God and neighbour.

Mac of Mulier Fortis, and I have been preparing them for the Sacrament, ably assisted by another young catechist. Please pray also for us and for Fr.Tim the Parish Priest.

The celebrant will be Bishop Pat Lynch, Auxiliary Bishop in Southwark.

 
Bishop Lynch

Tuesday 19 March 2013

Music for Passiontide - Stabat Mater


Stabat Mater - Solemn Tone
 
 
I think this speaks for itself ....
 
 
....Mater Dolorosa, Ora pro nobis.

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Habemus Papam



 
His Holiness Pope Francis - viva il Papa!

I have just got back home and onto my computer, so apoloies for not being as quick in posting as some others in the Catholic blogosphere. I called in on my Dad on the way home from work, arriving at about 7.15 this evening, and was told the news (apparently Dad was just about to 'phone me on my mobile to tell me). I have to admit that my first thought was 'WHO??' I have now had the chance to briefly find out a little about our new Holy Father, and like what I have read so far. There is a very good overview on the Canterbury Tales blog, and Fr. Tim seems to be blogging information about the new Pontiff at a rate of knots. I see that Mulier Fortis,  Bara Brith, Defende Nos  and Bones have all also been quick in wishing His Holiness well, as, of course do I.

It would appear that Pope Francis is a humble man, orthodox in his faith, and willing to speak out in defence of the moral teaching of the Church - all good signs.

When reflecting on potential papal names and the sort of pontificates with which they are associated, I have often thought that Francis would be a very good one, presumably looking towards the inspiration of St. Francis of Assisi, a saint of great humbleness, but also a passionate defender of the Faith, known for his great love of Our Lord and His Blessed Mother. Franciscan spirituality has played a significant part in my own life, and so I would welcome a pontificate that looks to this charism for its inspiration.

The fact that this was an unexpected election, made fairly quickly would suggest that the Holy Spirit has been very active over the last day.

I cannot help but also wonder about those who speculated at this, and the previous, conclave that we might have a Pope from Latin America - I suspect this was not quite the sort of person they had in mind.

Let us pray for our new Holy Father, and, as he requested in his first words to the faithful, with him, and let us give thanks to God.

 
 
Solemn 'Te Deum' by the Monks of Solesmes
 
 




Saturday 2 March 2013

Music for Lent - Kyrie XVII

 
Solemn and slightly mournful, yet beautiful and seemingly full of hope - the Kyrie for Sundays of Lent.
 
 

Friday 1 March 2013

Adopt A Cardinal

 
 
This is a offer you don't get every day - your very own Cardinal to pray for!
 
In anticipation of the forthcoming conclave, the website Adopt A Cardinal has been set up as an excellent way to ensure that all those voting to elect a new pope are remembered in the prayers of faithful Catholics. You type in your name and email address, and are rendomly allocated one of the Cardinal Electors, who will then become your prayer intention for the duration of the conclave. It is important that all those involved receive our spiritual support, as the task of finding a successor to Pope Benedict in what will likely be tough times for the Church is unlikely to be an easy one.
 
I got Cardinal Theodore-Adrien Sarr, Archbishop of Dakar, Senegal. I not not heard of him prior to this, but have looked him up, and now know that he is a mamber of the Pontifical Council for Culture and has also spoken out on pro-life issues, and supported Pope Benedict's stance against the use of condoms in Africa. He is spiritual leader for some 300,000 Catholics in Senegal, and is Pesident of the Bishops' Conference of Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau.
 
 
 
Why not go over to the site and adopt your own Cardinal.
 
Thanks to Mac of Mulier Fortis for telling us about this.
 
 


St David


Happy feast, especially to those of my readers who hale from Wales, and those who bear the name of this Saint.

Incidentally, I have just found out that St. David, as well as being a national Patron Saint, is also the Patron Saint of vegetarians, because he taught his followers to live an ascetic life, which includes abstinance from meat - perhaps appropriate that this year his feast falls on a Friday of Lent (it is only a Feast in Welsh dioceses, and a commemoration in the English dioceses Westminster and Portsmouth, so abstinance would apply for us in England).

He did also encourage abstinace from beer, so perhaps he doesn't have a great following in certain quarters of Blackfen and similar :-)

Joking apart, I will, of course commend to his care, anyone who is giving up a particular food, or alcoholic drink, as part of their Lenten observances.

St. David, pray for us.

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