Following the ringing of the bells at the Chapel of Saint Thomas More, the Catholic hymn "O Sacred Heart of Jesus, Hear" was sung. This hymn is abbreviated from a melody by Louis Bourgeois (d. circa 1561); the prayer set to this melody, however, was written by Isabel Williams (d. 1911)--a wonderful example of how medieval melodies and modern prayers can be brought together to make what is sacred music--that which is eternal music. And of course, the Chant Mass Setting was sung along with Rossini's propers for the Gradual, Communion, and Introit. For communion, the choir was able to sing to Jesus and lift the souls of men to God in the beautiful work "Adoramus te, Christe" by Francois Clement Theodore Bubois (1837-1924). The English translation for this communion prayer is (thank you, William Mahrt!) "We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee: because by the holy cross thou hast redeemed the world." Immediately after this came the sublime "Ave Verum Corpus," which has been ascribed to Pope Innocent VI, d. 1362. It is in Mode 6, for all those who understand what that means! For a fitting close to this morning's Mass, the mighty hymn "Lift High the Cross" resounded through the chapel; it was followed by a roaring postlude from the new Johannus organ.
From the Loft,
Mr. Kochel
Note: Below is the translation of the wonderful chant "Ave Verum Corpus":
born of the Virgin Mary:
Truly suffered,
died on the cross for mankind:
From whose pierced side
flowed water and blood!
Be for us a foretaste
of death in the last hour!
O gentle Jesus!
O holy Jesus!
O Jesus, Son of Mary!"
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