Chants of the Vatican Graduale - MusicaSacra

434 St. Bartholomew, Apostle
The melody grows systematically, ga bg dc c becoming cb cd d and
finally dc de dec; following this, c becomes the actual dominant. The
rhyme at the end of the first and second phrases is also very effective,
cd cb gg becoming cd cb gag g. Both phrases have three divisions. The
second phrase has a richer development than we ordinarily find in a
Communion. Over tritici the Vatican Gradual calls for a slight retarding
after c and a, thus resulting in three groups, of which the first and third
form the arsis.
If ever a household deserved the name of Family of God surely it
was the one over which St. Joachim presided. God himself appointed
Joachim its head, and insofar as its sole aim was the greater glory of God,
it was truly God's family (familiam suam). The needs of this family,
imposed upon St. Joachim by divine decree, were served by him with
such thoughtfulness and fidelity that he has become a model for us and
an object of universal admiration.
Christ has also united Himself with us under the form of bread
(tritici). According to His human nature He came to us from the most
pure womb of Mary. Mary, however, was the child of St. Joachim and
St. Anne. May their intercession procure for us (Postcommunion) in
the present life the graces of God, so that in the life to come we may be
sharers in eternal glory.
ST. BARTHOLOMEW, APOSTLE
(August 26)
INTROIT, GRADUAL and OFFERTORY are the same as those
on the feast of St. Andrew.
ALLELUIA VERSE
1. Gloriosus Apostolorum chorus 1. The glorious choir of Apostles,
2. te laudat, Domine. 2. praises thee, 0 Lord.
The text is taken from the Te Deum. In the words of the Collect
God "has given us a reverent and holy joy in this day's festival." The
Alleluia, which refers to the glorious and venerable choir of Apostles,
gives lively expression to this joy. In the Gospel we are told that our
Lord devoted to prayer the entire night which preceded the election of
His Apostles. During the years in which these Apostles were associated
with Him, He imparted to them a wealth of truth and of power. They
in turn served Him in holiness and justice, even though—as in the case