Updated: December 7, 2020
The season of Advent charges us to prepare for the coming of the Lord, both in awating the joyous celebration of his birth at Christmas as well as his coming in the fullness of time. William Byrd's motet, Vigilate, proclaims a solemn warning from the Gospel of Mark (In the Lectionary, Advent I, Cycle B), a cautionary trope that encourages us to be watchful and ready for the coming of the Lord.
Vigilate, nescitis enim quando dominus domus veniat,
sero, an media nocte, an gallicantu, an mane.
Vigilate ergo, ne cum venerit repente, inveniat vos dormientes.
Quod autem dico vobis, omnibus dico: vigilate.
Be vigilant, for you do not know when the master of the house will come,
in the evening, in the middle of the night, at cock-crow, or in the morning.
Watch, therefore, lest he should come suddenly and find you asleep.
What I say to you, I say to all: 'Watch!'
Vigilate - William Byrd (1543-1623)
St. Catherine of Siena Choir, December 2, 2018
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.
