Monday, March 24, 2008

I *heart* my Parish!

This is just a taste of the gorgeous and unique music we get to hear at mass.

This is a 13th century piece sung in middle English (which I find fascinating!)



This is the translation:

"Stand well, mother, under the cross, behold your child with a glad spirit; a happy mother may you be."

"Son, how may I happily stand? I see your feet and your hands nailed to the hard tree."

"Mother, put away your weeping. I suffer this death for mankind; I do not suffer for my own guilt."

"Son, I feel the wounds of death, the sword is at the bottom of my heart as Simeon promised me."

"Mother, have pity on your child! Wipe away the bloody tears that wound me worse than my own death."

"Son, how can I refrain from tears? I see these bloody streams run from your heart onto my foot."

"Mother, now I may say unto you, better it is that I alone die than all mankind go to hell."

"Son, I see thy body beaten, breast and hand and foot pierced through; no wonder that I am grieved."

"Mother, if I may tell you, unless I die, you go to hell; I suffer death for your sake."


Is that not beautiful? We are so blessed!

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

THAT is gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Im thoroughly jealous. We typically suffer through "Here I Am Lord" "You Raise Me Up" "Shine Jesus Shine" and others even worse at mass.

If it's a high mass we MIGHT get a piece written before 1980.

Stephanie said...

I can sympathize! ;-) Where we lived before we had similar music, which makes me all the more thankful for our current parish! :-)

Staying in Balance said...

Wow!! That is transcendent.

Anonymous said...

The beauty of the words is astounding. The love that can be felt by the sheer poetry is awe-inspiring.

Thank you for posting, and congrats on having such a vibrant parish!

Stephanie said...

I was really touched by the words too, Erik! They are truly beautiful!

Jen said...

where did this video come from??

jen jones

Stephanie said...

Found it on YouTube! lol Other than that I have no idea. :-)

Anne Marie said...

Thank you for sharing this. It is stunning!!

Anonymous said...

Catholics who have to suffer through "Shine, Jesus, Shine" during their worship services have my sincere condolences, and apologies on behalf of all Protestants everywhere.

Stephanie said...

*giggle*