Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

226 Whitsunday
knowledge the great things which God has worked in us. And we beg
that these magndlia Dei may not be taken from us, that the Spirit of
grace may establish and "confirm" us against all attack from within
and from without, that the life of grace may more and more penetrate
our entire being, may spiritualize and transfigure it, so that, like the
sacrificial gifts which are now placed upon the altar, Christ may through
the working of the Holy Ghost be glorified in us by our putting on His
spirit of sacrifice. With what deep emotion we ought to chant this song!
Over operdtus es the torculus gag, must predominate. Then we must
take care that in nobis be not harsh and blunt; it should rather be sung
with special warmth.
In its first half the second phrase also closes with a pressus as the
first did, continues with /, and also reaches high c, though only once.
Tuo and est correspond. The melody makes the phrase more independent
than it actually is. Here we are, no doubt, to think of the new Jerusalem
which the Spirit of God has bestowed upon us, or of the Cenacle with its
marvels, or of the wonderful sanctifying activity of the Catholic Church.
If the Spirit can again be active in our souls, can establish and
"confirm" them, what, then, will His effect be? Simply this, that we
shall function properly as participants in the kingly priesthood, and
shall offer our gifts, not in a sorrowful or forced manner, but magnanimously,
in the joy of the Holy Ghost. Tibi and reges have a similar ring.
Offerent is rightly assigned a prominent position. The three torculus over
munera are arranged in climactic order. Alleluia repeats the melody of
hoc Deus in the first phrase.
The first phrase adverts to the things which God has done for us,
while the second reminds us of the dignity and burden of our kingly
priesthood.
Revue, 3, 3 ff.
COMMUNION (Acts 2: 2, 4)
1. Factus est repente de caelo 1. There came suddenly a sound
sonus advenientis spiritus vehemen- from heaven as of a mighty wind
Us, ubi erant sedentes, alleluia: coming, where they were all sitting,
et repleti sunt omnes Spiritu Sane- alleluia: 2. and they were all filled
to, loquentes magnalia Dei, alle- with the Holy Ghost, speaking the
luia, alleluia. wonderful works of God, alleluia,
alleluia.
In most Masses the Ite missa est harks back to the melody of the
Kyrie. In a similar way this Communion reminds us of the festive enthusiasm
of the Introit. With striking clearness it portrays in the first