• We are getting rid of our old huge wooden cross that hangs over the middle aisle, because our Bishop said it looks unsafe (He's right. I avoid walking under it if I can.) We are replacing it with a very nice crucifix that will hang above the altar. I'm looking for suggestions for a nice chant, hymn etc. that would go well with the blessing of the crucifix this weekend. Any suggestions?
  • SalieriSalieri
    Posts: 3,177
    Vexilla Regis prodeunt (with the alternate 6th stanza for Exultation of the Holy Cross)
  • Liam
    Posts: 5,092
    Vexilla Regis was created for the festive nature of the feast (though I adore Crux Fidelis, it is more suited to Passiontide).
  • rogue63
    Posts: 410
    The Adoremus Hymnal has a translation of the Vexilla regis set to the tune AGINCOURT, on page 381. It's quite nice, and a good pairing of text and tune.
    Thanked by 2G CHGiffen
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,482
    Aren't crosses supposed to be dangerous?
    Thanked by 2Ben canadash
  • G
    Posts: 1,400
    There's a nice, and quite easy organ setting of the Dunstable Agincourt Hymn, maybe in a Biggs book? that could be paired with singing of the hymn.

    And whatever it's musical or textual merits, I find Lift high the Cross thrilling when sung by a congregation.

    (Save the Liturgy, Save the World)
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    Just sang that as Entrance after the SEP Introit Sunday, Ger, as consummate a British hymn as Jerusalem or Thaxted. Add that gorgeous descant, i'm in heaven....heaven...
    Thanked by 1CHGiffen
  • Pegwit,

    First, let me second all the great (and utterly predictable) suggestions I've seen here.

    As it happens, I wrote a setting of Nos Autem Gloriari, the introit for the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, for SATB, as a birthday present for my wife a few years ago. If I can put my hands on it in the near term, would you like to see a copy? It incorporates the tune CRUCIFER.
    (This probably belongs in Ben Yanke's thread about what we do in our spare time.)
  • CHGiffenCHGiffen
    Posts: 5,193
    If I can put my hands on it in the near term, would you like to see a copy?

    Yes.
  • Thanks everyone! Great suggestions. And yes I would love to see a copy of your Nos Autem Gloriari.
  • matthewjmatthewj
    Posts: 2,700
    Any chance you'd post pictures of the prior cross and new crucifix?
  • Here it is.

    Please credit Mr. Arthur Connick for the typesetting.

    The only mistake on it, if memory serves, is that the family name is Garton-Zavesky
    NosAutemGloriari_Garton-Zavesky.pdf
    93K
  • If any of you consider performing the piece (either now, or at some later date) please let me know in advance.


  • I'd love to show a picture. Actually I made a video using pictures and a recording of 'Lift High the Cross', but stupid me I can't figure out how to share it. It worked out very well and we were all dramatic for the first weekend. Since we can raise and lower the crucifix now, before Mass began we had it lowered and during the procession of 'Lift High the Cross' we raised it after he inscensed it. As soon as the crucifix started being raised I changed my registration on the organ to make it more dramatic sounding. Yes, the process was probably a bit corny and overly dramatic, but it was kind of neat; even if I couldn't really see it being raised very well, because I was bit busy.
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,216
    To share a video recording, you can upload it to a video service such as YouTube, DailyMotion, or Vimeo, and afterward post a link here.
  • Here's the link to the little video I made of the process of removing the old cross and installing the crucifix. I hope it works.

    http://vimeo.com/74996199
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,979
    Why that crucifix looks positively Catholic! We can't have that! LOL.