Candlemas from the Vatican
The livefeed may be accessed here for the Mass beginning at 11:30 am Eastern time.
Here is the booklet for the Mass.
An Office Hymn for Candlemas: Let Zion’s Bridal Room Be Clothed
As Adam mentions below, the entrance procession for the Feast of the Presentation or Candlemas features the chant Adorna Thalamum Tuum, Sion. Peter Abelard’s similarly titled hymn, Adorna Sion Thalamum, is an Office Hymn for the day.
We see the imperative of adornment played out in the clothing of the Church and her ministers for Liturgy. The Temple comes to His temple, to be offered, and should we not be ritually, luxuriously dressed to greet Him?
Charles Giffen and I have collaborated to make the Office Hymn better know and loved. Here is Charles’ setting, and this is my translation, which has found its way into a homily or two. Please feel free to use this Saturday if you find it helpful.
Let Zion’s bridal-room be clothed:
He comes, her Lord and her Betrothed.
Let man and woman, by faith’s light,
Their vigil keep throughout the night.
Saint Simeon, sent forth in joy,
Exults to see the baby Boy:
The light in Whom all things are known
Has now upon the nations shone.
His parents to the temple bring
The Temple as an offering
The righteousness of law He chose
Though to the law He nothing owes.
So, Mary, bring this little one,
Yours and the Father’s only Son
Through whom our offering is made
By whom our ransom price is paid.
And forward, queen of virgins, go
And let rejoicing overflow
With gifts bring forth your newborn Son
Who comes to rescue everyone.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Glory bright
Who guides the nations into light
Be praised, and for eternity
Be glorified, O Trinity. Amen.
Watch this space for PBC2
It should come available the 2nd week of March. Joy would be to reprint in 30 days. Could happen. Lots of people are interested in this spectacular new edition.
Senex Puerem for Candlemass
Communion Propers for Lent, by Richard J. Clark
Music and Ecstasy
As they reached “Laudamus te,” the organ fell silent, and I realized they were singing the Gloria in alternatim, as they often do at Papal Masses, and the choir broke out into fantastic polyphony. That’s when I just about lost it.
I went weak in the knees. My jaw literally hung open. I felt chills straight up my spine as I mouthed along with the prayers the schola was singing in such a sublime manner. The beauty of the church, combined with the stunning beauty of the music, had quite literally sucked me into the liturgy unfolding before me. It was almost a form of ecstasy.
The entire post by Ben Yanke is outstanding. Plus he recorded parts and those are featured on his page.