Updated: July 13, 2021
Salve Regina a4
Orlando di Lasso (c.1530-1594)
Salve Regina, Mater Misericordiae,
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, Salve!
Ad te clamamus, exsules filii Hevae,
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes,
In hac lacrimarum valle.
Eia ergo, Advocata nostra,
Illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte.
Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui,
Nobis, post hoc exilium, ostende,
O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria.
Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy,
Our life, our sweetness, and our hope!
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.
To thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious advocate,
Thine eyes of mercy towards us.
And after this, our exile,
Show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Following the Easter Season, which ends with the Feast of Pentecost, the seasonal Marian Antiphon shifts from Regina Coeli to Salve Regina, the antiphon that is prescribed for Ordinary Time.
The recording above is a polyphonic setting (poly = many, phonic = sound) composed by Orlando di Lasso during the Renaissance period. As was traditional during this time period, the music is based on the chant music (which we are currently singng at the conclusion of the 12:00 PM Latin Mass), and additional musical material added to support and harmonize with the notes of the chant melody.
Thanks for listening!
Jerry Kavinski, M.M., Director of the St. Catherine of Siena Choir
Dignus est Agnus
As the church is preparing to begin a new liturgical year with the First Sunday of Advent on November 29th, the current liturgical year comes to a close with the Solemnity of Christ the King. The Introit for this day begins - Dignus est Agnus, qui occisus est - which translates 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.' This profound expression of faith is beautiful in its Latin chant form, and has also been set by several composers, with the most notable version being the closing movement of Handel's Messiah.
While this piece is not practical for liturgical use due its length, Handel's version captures the majesty and glory that is fitting of this Solemnity, and perhaps most importantly, is faithful to the Latin text in the English translation.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain,
and hath redeemed us to God by his blood,
to receive power, and riches, and wisdom,
and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
Blessing and honor, glory and power
be unto him that sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb forever and ever. Amen.
Iustorum animae in manu Dei sunt,
et non tanget illos tormentum malitiae.
Visi sunt oculis insipientium mori;
illi autem sunt in pace, alleluia.
The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and the torment of malice shall not touch them.
They seemed, in the eyes of the foolish, to be dead;
but they are at peace, alleluia.
