Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 357
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
(December 8)
INTROIT (Isa. 61:10)
1. Gaudens gaudebo in Domino, 1. / will greatly rejoice in the
et exsultabit anima mea in Deo meo: Lord, and my soul shall be joyful in
2. quia induit me vestimento sa- my God: 2. for he hath clothed me
lutis: et indumento justitiae cir- with the garments of salvation: and
cumdedit me, 3. quasi sponsam with the robes of justice he hath
ornatam monilibus suis. Ps. Exal- covered me, 3. as a bride adorned
tabo te, Domine, quoniam suscepisti with her jewels. Ps. / will extol theet
me: * nee delectasti inimicos meos 0 Lord, for thou hast upheld me: *
super me. and hast not made my enemies to
rejoice over me.
The Immaculate Virgin herself, radiant in the light of grace, soaring
guiltless over a world laden with sin, the very spouse of God adorned
with all-wonderful jewels, introduces today's festal Mass. She knows,
however, the source of her beauty and is aware of her singular dignity.
She knows that great things have been done unto her. Sin, which up to
that time had infected every human being born into this world, was
held in abeyance from the time of her conception; while the earth was
covered with darkness, the Almighty clothed her in light. Hence in the
Introit she chants her gratitude to God, a Magnificat, as it were, in its
original setting. Today she sings: Gaudens gaudebo in Domino; later on:
Magnificat anima mea Dominum. Today we hear: Et exsultabit dnima
mea in Deo meo, while the mountains of Judea re-echo the words: Et
exsuldtvit spiritus meus in Deo salutdri meo. Today it is Quia induit me;
later on: Quia fecit mihi.
How shall this melody be rendered? Without doubt it should have
a ring of sincerity and graciousness emanating most tenderly from the
depths of the soul; it should be characterized by solemnity yet be joyful,
coming withal from a being all light, all grace, elevated to the proximity
of God.
The melody, however, was not originally intended for this text.
Excepting the neums of the last few words, it is taken from the Introit
of the fifth Sunday after Easter. There it is a song of victory, of liberty,
of thanksgiving, which we fittingly place today on the lips of the Blessed
Virgin. For this reason also text and melody are of the same mold.