Laetare Sunday Youth Schola quandary
  • BGP
    Posts: 222
    I direct a youth schola (mostly teenagers- important detail Re my "problem"). We've been doing the Introits to psalm tones in English. I am currently preparing for the next Mass they will be singing which is Laetare Sunday... the introit presents a "problem" with it's final line referencing "motherly bosoms" (or worse "sucking.. breasts" in the Anglican Use Gradual).. just. I think we're going to do it in Latin.

    Thoughts, Ideas, Suggestions?
  • emac3183
    Posts: 74
    High schoolers make things awkward that they think should be awkward, but often that's only when the teacher/director shows awkwardness. I would attack the "problem" head on, emphasizing the significance and beauty of the line with an absolutely straight face, confidently as though it was normal. If they think the image of a nursing mother is something other than profoundly beautiful and natural, then they need to be taught the truth!
    That said, the Anglican translation may be too much for the undeveloped prefrontal cortex to take in at once.
    Thanked by 1youngcatholicgirl
  • matthewjmatthewj
    Posts: 2,672
    What about one of the suites from the Graduale Simplex instead?
  • High schoolers make things awkward that they think should be awkward, but often that's only when the teacher/director shows awkwardness.

    I just wanted to thank you for this specifically. There's modesty and decency, but there's also making things awkward when they don't need to be.
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • Just sing the original chant setting in Latin. It’s one of my favourite introits and one of my musical highlights of Lent.
  • CGM
    Posts: 717
    Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her.
    Be joyful, all who were in mourning;
    exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.


    You can see dozens of alternate translations here.
    Having looked through them, perhaps the 3rd line might be altered to something like

    exult, nurse, and be satisfied; take comfort and be delighted at the abundance of her glory.

    * * *

    Fr. Weber provides an alternate translation of the whole antiphon:

    Rejoice, Jerusalem, and gather with gladness, all you who love her.
    Rejoice with gladness, you who were sorrowful,
    that you may exult, as blissful as a baby at the breast.
    Thanked by 2CHGiffen irishtenor