Requiem Aeternam

More music today, this time the Introit for the Mass for the Dead (funeral Mass), Requiem Aeternam.

This is the proper Gregorian chant from the Roman Gradual which begins funeral Masses.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.
Et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Te decet hymnus, Deus, in Sion,
Et tibi reddetur votum in Jerusalem
Exaudi orationem meam
Ad te omnis caro veniet.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine.
Et lux perpetua luceat eis.



Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord
And let perpetual light shine upon them
A hymn, O God, becometh Thee in Zion
And a vow shall be paid to thee in Jerusalem
Hear my prayer
All flesh shall come before you
Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord
And let perpetual light shine upon them

The Baptism of Christ

"The Baptism of Christ" by Leonardo da Vinci (1475).

Ash Wednesday

Today something beautiful and liturgical!  This setting of Psalm 51 for the Ash Wednesday liturgy from Chabanel Psalms.

Ash Wednesday (ABC) • Free Responsorial Psalms • Organist Score from Corpus Christi Watershed on Vimeo.

Prodigal Son

In honor of the penitential season of Lent which begins tomorrow, today we feature this detail from "The Return of the Prodigal Son" by Rembrandt (1662).
(And if you are not familiar with that parable, see Lk 15:11-32)

The Little Flower

A modern artist today - this time a portrait of St. Therese of Lisieux by Leonard Porter.

O Virgin Pure

More music today.  "O Virgin Pure," chanted in Byzantine style.

St. Valentine

I love medieval woodcuts.  They tend to be at the same time simple and full of detail, and always conjure images in my mind of that great Age of Faith.  So today, a woodcut of St. Valentine healing epileptics.

Infant Jesus Asleep

'The Infant Jesus Asleep" by Charles le Brun (1619-1690).

Shhhh - the little children are sleeping.

Cover them with warm blankets and hold them close.

Feed and house them, protect them from harm.

Those who love the Lord, love the least among us.

Those who love the children, love the Child Jesus.

Japanese Madonna and Child

Truth can be expressed in beauty in any culture.  Today, a Japanese madonna and child (unknown artist) in honor of yesterday's feast of St. Paul Miki and Companions (the Nagasaki Martyrs).

Palestrina: Agnus Dei

Today something different...  we dive into the realm of music with Palestrina's "Agnus Dei."  For those who are not liturgically minded, the Agnus Dei is one of the ordinary chants of the Mass.  Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.  Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.  Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.  "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.  Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.  Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace."

Presentation of the Lord

Day 3:  Today, in honor of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, we view this artwork by Italian painter Ambrogio Lorenzetti, "Presentation at the Temple" from 1342.

More about this particular work here.

Pieta

Day 2: Michelangelo's "Pieta"