Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

Rogation Days 207
the growth in us of the new life which Christ brought us; that is what
gives us perseverance till the day of our glorification. How rich we are
in Christ. May we never cease praising Him.
COMMUNION (Ps. 95: 2)
1. Cantate Domino, alleluia: 2. 1. Sing ye to the Lord, alleluiai
cantate Domino, et benedicite nomen 2. sing ye to the Lord, and bless his
ejus: 3. bene nuntiate de die in diem name: 3. show forth his salvation
salutare ejus, alleluia, alleluia. from day to day, alleluia, alleluia.
Today, it would seem, the Church is continually exhorting us to
sing, to exult, to offer thanks. This Communion harks back to the happy
melody of the Introit. The crescendo which one naturally expects in the
repetition of the cry Cantate is effected with a graceful broadening of
volume and range. We shall meet Domino again in the Communion for
the feast of the Ascension, nomen in the same chant at the close of the
second alleluia and again at the end of the annuntidte. Bene nuntidtet
which begins a fifth higher than the close of the preceding phrase and
carries a florid melody, fared very well at the hands of the composer.
In annotated manuscripts each clivis is marked broadly. Diem reminds
us of nuntiate. At salutare we see why the piece is transposed; normally,,
that is, a fifth lower, we should have eb- With its tritone the melody
here seems to enter a kind of twilight; but this vanishes immediately,
dispelled by the bright alleluia, a fifth higher. The alleluia are not such
as are usually found in Communions, but rather in Introits. Everything
palpitates and sparkles with life.
Now that the Saviour is in our heart, our song should be most
spontaneous. When the aged Simeon was privileged to look upon "the
salvation of God," a joyous, youthful song surged to his lips. But we
were not merely allowed to see the Lord, but also to receive Him intoour
hearts. May our song ascend to the heavens to glorify His holy
name. Continually He fulfills the promise made in today's Gospel:
"Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in My
name, He will give it you." How radiantly happy and confident this
assurance should make us!
ROGATION DAYS
For the Exurge, see February 2. Compare what was said on Holy
Saturday*concerning the Litany of the Saints.