Holy Thursday, Br. Alan Reed, OSB, Saint John’s Abbey
Strengthen for service, O Lord,
Hands that holy things have taken;
And let ears that heard your most holy Word
To lesser things never awaken.
Lord, may tongues which ‘Holy’ sang
Be free from all deceiving;
May eyes which saw your love be bright
Heavenly hope perceiving.
And may feet that walked along hallowed courts
From your true light never be banished.
May bodies by your Body fed
Be with your new life replenished. Amen.
– from the Malabar Liturgy. Listen to this text set by Richard Proulx here, from the CD “Spirit of God Unleashed,” CD 405 from GIA Publications. Used with permission.
And while we’re sharing eucharistic choral masterpieces:
Here is the Westminster Cathedral Choir singing “Ave Verum” in the Sistine chapel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKN7aJ8g2MA
awr
One of my favorite settings of Ave Verum, they sang it at our Chrism Mass this year as the communion motet. Let’s hope Mr. Mawby still has some more beautiful music in him!