Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

16 First Sunday of Advent
Obviously, there must be a certain urgency running through the rendition.
The annotated manuscripts give evidence of fine musical taste in
indicating that all the notes of this motive are to be sung broadly. The
close bb gg f of Domine is answered by a egg f over mihi. Once again the
abovementioned motive returns in a slightly different form over et
semitas. "The singer is reminded of the grace of Christ which mercifully
descends upon man. With graceful condescension the melody bows
down at semitas tuas, as if to show how lovingly the grace of Christ is
communicated to the suppliant." 2 The final me should be given a pronounced
ritardando.
The text of the Gradual is already known to us from the close of the
Introit and from its psalm-verse. But the Gradual, following the more
ancient translation of the Scriptures, the Itala, has notas fac instead of
demonstra. It seems that the ancient liturgy preferred to take the Introit
and the Gradual from the same psalm. The preceding Epistle with
its admonition: "It is now the hour for us to rise from sleep," sheds additional
light on our present text. We must be of those who watch expectantly,
otherwise understanding will come too late. We must "put
on the Lord Jesus Christ," must become acquainted with His ways, His
works, His manner of life. These we must learn to know and appreciate
in all their awe-inspiring, adorable greatness. We sing therefore and pray
with utmost fervor: "Show thy ways to me, O Lord!" And when we consider
the many ways in which the human heart can go satray, the many
paths not illumined by the light of truth, then shall we begin to share
the motherly solicitude of the Church, and from the bottom of our hearts
we shall sing and pray: "Lord, teach us to tread thy paths!"
ALLELUIA VERSE (Ps. 84: 8)
1. Ostende nobis Domine mi- 1. Show us, O Lord, thy mercy:
sericordiam tuam: 2. et salutare 2. and grant us thy salvation,
tuum da nobis.
Ever since the first sin was committed, this cry has been ascending
almost ceaselessly to heaven: "Show us, 0 Lord, thy mercy!" And never
is it uttered in vain. The riches of divine mercy are infinite, inexhaustible.
But men wish to see God's mercy, to feel it, to touch it bodily. Incarnate
Mercy came to this earth when the only-begotten Son of God became
man. His merciful love urges Him to seek that which was lost, to preach
the Gospel to the poor, to heal wounded hearts, to speak that divinely
2 Gregoriusbote, 43, 185.