Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

148 Passion Sunday
it is repeated over (retribu)-e and in a shortened form over verbum as
fgfdf.
If we compare the three phrases of the piece, it can scarcely be asserted
that any single one of them is more significant than the others
or reveals a greater tension of soul. In this fact, from a purely artistic
point of view, lies the defect of our present Offertory. The fact that the
second and third phrases in each case set in with the closing note of the
preceding phrase causes some monotony. The initial motive of the
piece is found frequently; for example, in the Introits Rotate and Gaudedmus,
and in the Offertory Jubilate. In the second phrase the question
arises whether or not a larger pause ought to be made after servo tuo.
Generally we translate: "Render to Thy servant that I may live." This
interpretation is corroborated by the manuscript of St. Gall's (339)
and of Einsiedeln (121), which do not place an episeme over the last
two notes of tuo, as is almost always done in similar passages. They
intend, therefore, that vivam be added immediately. The melody as
such, however, seems to demand a pause. Melodically, vivam et custodiam
surely belong together. The passage over sermones tuos frequently
recurs in pieces of the fifth and sixth modes (cf. the Introit Requiem).
In the third phrase the cadence secHndum is somewhat disturbing, because
it separates the preposition too much from its substantive, unless
the rendition be a fluent one. So much the more pleasant is vivifica
("enliven me") and verbum. The latter is a happy continuation of totof
while (retribu)-e may be looked upon as a contraction of that word.
Compare also the melodic movement over (in) me in the verse of today's
Gradul with verbum.
N. Sch., 232, 239 f.
COMMUNION (I Cor. 11: 24, 25)
1. Hoc corpus, quod pro vobis 1. This is my body which shall
tradetur: hie calix novi testamenti be delivered for you: this is the
est in meo sanguine, dicit Dominus: chalice of the new testament in my
2. hoc facite, quotiescumque sumi- blood, saith the Lord: 2. this do as
Us, in meam commemorationem. often as you receive it, in commemoration
of me.
Christ is Highpriest. He offered Himself to the Father as a spotless
victim as He does today in the Mystery of holy Mass, and sings to Him
a perfect song. With His own blood He accomplished the salvation of
mankind on the wood of the cross, so that whence death came, thence
also life might rise again (Preface of the Cross). He has won eternal
redemption and eternal life, which He bestows upon all those who
group themselves around Him in faith, who hear His word and keep it.