Holy Family 2025
Processional hymn: Of the Father’s Love Begotten, 810
Recessional hymn: Once in Royal David’s City, 818
Credo V, 784, Kyriale VIII, 727
Offertory motet: O Admirabile Commercium, Fabio Constantini (c. 1575–1644)
Communion motet: Corde Natus ex Parentis arr. Patrick O’Shea (b. 1967)
O Admirabile Commercium, is a motet by Fabio Constantini and setting of the first Antiphon from Vespers on the Octave of Christmas. The translation is: O admirable exchange: the creator of human-kind, taking on a living body was worthy to be born of a virgin, and, coming forth as a human without seed, has given us his deity in abundance.
Fabio Constantini (c. 1575–1644) was an Italian music editor and composer. He sang under Palestrina at St Peter’s, Rome (until 1610), and held posts as maestro di cappella, notably at Orvieto Cathedral (1610-14, 1618-22), Santa Casa, Loreto, Ancona and Ferrara Cathedral.
The Holy Name of Jesus 2025
Processional hymn: Songs of Thankfulness and Praise, 820
Recessional hymn: The First Nowell, 808
Credo V, 784
Kyriale: Mass for 4 Voices, William Byrd (c.1540–1623)
Motet after Offertory: In Nomine Jesu, Jacobus Gallus
Motet at Communion: Alma Redemptoris Mater, a5, Reverend Tomás Luis de Victoria (c.1548–1611)
During Advent and Christmastide until February 2 the proper Marian antiphon sung at compline and for other occasions is Alma Redemptoris Mater. The choir will sing the composition by Father Victoria set for five voices. In Nomine Jesu is a simple setting of the introit by Jacobus Gallus. The introit is shared with the Wednesday of Holy Week with some alterations to the text most notably the Holy Name present in the opening incipit.
Jacobus Gallus (1550–1591), was a late-Renaissance composer of presumed Slovene ethnicity. Born in Carniola, which at the time was one of the Habsburg lands in the Holy Roman Empire, he lived and worked in Moravia and Bohemia during the last decade of his life. His output was both sacred and secular, and hugely prolific: over 500 works have been attributed to him.
Sunday in the Octave of Christmas 2024
Processional hymn: God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen, 807
Recessional hymn: Angels We Have Heard On High, 812
Credo V, 784
Kyriale: Mass for 3 Voices, William Byrd
Offertory hymn: Crudele Herodes, Chant
Communion hymn: Puer Natus in Bethlehem, Chant
The Mass for 3 Voices is one of William Byrd’s three settings of the Ordinary of the Latin Mass were published in undated editions, without title-pages, sometime between 1592 and 1595. Though the standard choral arrangement for composition is four voices, Byrd’s setting manages to convey a full texture even with one fewer voice.
William Byrd (c. 1543–1623) became Catholic in the 1570s and he composed much music for the church against government ordinances. In 1605 the first volume of the Gradualia, which are settings of the propers of the Mass, was banned in England under penalty of imprisonment along with all of his Catholic music. By the time of his death he was seen favorably as a composer by both Anglican and Catholic alike.
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.
3rd Sunday of Advent 2024
Processional hymn: Hark! A Herald Voice is Calling, 795
Recessional hymn: On Jordan’s Bank, 800
Kyriale: Mass XVII, 762; Credo V, 784
Offertory: Ostende nobis Domine, Nicholas Lemme (b. 1978)
Hymn during communion: Conditor Alme Siderum, Guillaume Dufay (c. 1397–1474)
In 1935 Karl Ott published the Offertoriale, which is a book that provides verses for the offertory chants of Sundays and Feasts throughout the year which are not otherwise provided in schola chant scores. This Sunday, the offertory antiphon will be chanted and the verse is a contemporary composition by Nicholas Lemme set for three part men’s voices. Lemme’s setting is anchored on two notes which are repeated often in the verse and droned as the original chant melody returns at the end. The text is from Psalm 84:8, “Show us Lord, your mercy and grant us Thy salvation.”
Nicholas Lemme (b. 1978) is a composer, singer, and professor of music based in Lincoln, NE. Mr. Lemme teaches sacred polyphony, and voice at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary, FSSP, Denton, NE and holds the position of Choir Master at St. Francis of Assisi Oratory, Lincoln, NE.