4th Sunday of Advent 2024
Processional hymn: Creator of the Stars of Night, 799
Recessional hymn: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, 796
Kyriale: Mass XVII, 762; Credo V, 784
Motet at the offertory: Ave Maria, Reverend Jean Mouton
Hymn at communion: Rorate Cœli De Super, Christoph Dalitz (b. 1967)
There are plentiful settings of the Ave Maria but today’s setting by Reverend Jean Mouton uses some notable variations to this perennial prayer. It begins with Hail Mary the Lord is with thee, as normal then adds, in your heart, and in your womb. Mouton lived prior to the Council of Trent, and as such the latter invocation had not become standard to the prayer. Yet in this setting to the final portion of the composition he adds, O Mary, bearer of God, pray for us.
Reverend Jean Mouton (c. 1459–1522) was a French priest and composer of the Renaissance. He was famous both for his motets, which are among the most refined of the time, and for being the teacher of the famous composer Adrian Willaert, one of the founders of the Venetian School. Over 100 of his compositions survive today and Pope Leo X rewarded him with the honorary title, apostolic notary on the occasion of a motet he composed for the pope in 1515.