5th Sunday after Easter 2025
Processional hymn: Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven, 933
Recessional hymn: Love’s Redeeming Work Is Done, 850
Kyriale: Mass I, 696; Credo III, 776
Hymn at the offertory: Ad cænam agni providi, Thomás Luis de Victoria
Ad Cænam Agni Providi by Thomás Luis de Victoria is a setting of the Vespers hymn during Eastertide dating back to the 500s. Victoria composed the even verses of this hymn alternating with the ancient chant melody for the odd verses—a technique he often employed for other hymns. In verse six, Victoria only composed for the Tenor, Alto, and Soprano voices as the text describes Christ rising from the grave and opening paradise so our ears hear only high tones. In the final verse, the Holy Trinity is invoked and the music changes to groups of three, while all voices sing the text in rhythm together making for a very effective three-in-one quality in musical form. This final verse in it’s entirety is shared with Rex gloriose martyrum, his setting for Martyr’s feasts.
Tomás Luis de Victoria (c.1548–1611), along with Palestrina and de Lassus, is one of the greatest composers of the 16th C., famous for its ethereal polyphony. Ordained a priest at age 27, he lived in Rome for years, and assisted St. Philip Neri as chaplain of San Girolamo della Carità.