12th Sunday after Pentecost 2025
Processional Hymn: O God, Our Help in Ages Past, 923
Recessional Hymn: O Sacrament Most Holy, 903
Kyriale: Mass XI, 740; Credo II, 772
Motet at Communion: Benedicam Domine, Rev. Giovanni Croce
The motet sung during communion is set by Rev. Giovanni Croce. The verse taken from Psalm 33:2 is translated: I will always give thanks unto the Lord: his praise shall ever be in my mouth. This text is sung by the schola as the gradual at Sunday’s Mass. The short composition is based on a descending line motif that begins with the Tenor line and is echoed by each voice in a cascade until an arrival point in the middle of the piece. The voices then sing in pairs before the final cadence on the text…his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Rev. Giovanni Croce (c. 1558–1609) was an Italian priest and composer of the late Renaissance from Venice and contemporary of Monteverdi and Andrea Gabrieli. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1585. He was appointed to the prestigious position of maestro di cappella at the famous St. Mark’s cathedral from 1603 until his death.