I wonder if any of you might suggest some motets (Offertory and Communion) for an anniversary of priestly ordination? We have good singers and a fine organ. Thank you!
Leo Nestor - Simon, Son of John Stainer - How Beautiful Upon the Mountains Mendelssohn - How Lovely are the Messengers Friedell - Draw Us in the Spirit's Tether Te Deum- chant or Stanford in Bb Veni Creator- chant or Palestrina
Strengthen for service, Lord, the hands that holy things have taken; let ears that now have heard thy songs to clamour never waken.
Lord, may the tongues which 'Holy' sang keep free from all deceiving; the eyes which saw thy love be bright, thy blessèd hope perceiving.
The feet that tread thy holy courts from light do thou not banish; the bodies by thy Body fed with thy new life replenish. Text after St. Ephrem of Syria.
Gamba's 'Strengthen for Service, Lord' may also be found at number 201 in the 1940, set to the tune Malabar. While Willan's setting would be a splendid anthem, this would be a good hymn on the occasion.
As mentioned above, I highly recommend "Queen of Priests" by the Benedictines of Mary
or there is always this:
Words by Robert Loretz Music by Jean Sibelius Tune: Be Still my Soul
1. Eternal Priest, You have become the Temple Entered the tent where God longs to meet man, and there you offer through your flesh surrendered your very self, as Sacrificial Lamb, And in your hour, at last embrace as Husband Her, ever loved in your eternal plan
2. Now intercede, fill with your Holy Spirit him whom you raise to share the rank of priest, That by his mouth your gospel may be spoken And from his hand your flock may know your peace, That he may worthily approach your altar Off'ring through you the Eucharistic feast
3. Conform his heart to yours, Eternal Shepherd That he may lay his life down for the lost May he partake, O Christ, in your own Headship And feed your Body, counting not the cost Configure him to have Your Heart, O Husband Which for your Bride was opened on the cross
4. Glory to Christ, our Altar, Priest, and Victim, In whose self-gift His Bride has been restored Praise to the the Spirit given through His dying In whom she is one spirit with the Lord, So that the Father for whom both are given Be, in the Church, eternally adored.
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