Liturgy of the Hours Vespers for Corpus Christi

PRELUDE: Nicolas de Grigny

“Verbum Supernum Prodiens” is a Gregorian Chant hymn that is sung at on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Lauds is a form of morning prayer that closely resembles these Vespers tonight. During the time when this selection was composed, the organ was viewed as a replacement for voices and offered the voices a rest on a particular verse. The organ proclaimed the verse on behalf of the singers leading the liturgy. The historical performance practice would suggest that verse 1 would be sung, verse 2 would be played, verse 3 would be sung, etc. Organ composers of the late 17th century would compose music that painted the text of all the verses leaving to the performer options of which to sing or play. This particular selection is an exception because verses 5 and 6 “” were always sung. The Prelude will include verses 1-4 of the chant, and de Grigny’s first 3 organ selections. Text and translation are on the final page of this worship aid.

EXPOSITION: O Salutaris Hostia Giulio Bentivoglio

ANTIPHON (CANTOR) Christ the Lord is a priest for ever in the line of Melchizedek; he offered up bread and wine.

PSALM 110

CANTOR: The Lord's revelation to my Master: "Sit on my right: your foes I will put be-neath your feet." The Lord will wield from Zion

ALL: your scepter of power: rule in the midst of all your foes. A prince from the day of your birth on the ho-ly mountains;

from the womb before the dawn I be-got you. The Lord has sworn an oath he will not change. "You are a priest for ever, a priest like Melchizedeck of old."

The Master standing at your right hand will shatter kings in the day of his wrath. He shall drink from the stream by the wayside and therefore he shall lift up his head.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son , and to the Ho-ly Spirit: As it was in the be-ginning, is now, and will be forever. A-men.

ANTIPHON (CANTOR) Christ the Lord is a priest for ever in the line of Melchizedek; he offered up bread and wine. ANTIPHON (CANTOR) I will take up the cup of salvation, and I will offer a sacrifice of praise.

PSALM 116

CANTOR: I trusted, even when I said: I am sorely af-flicted, and when I said in my a-larm: "No man can be trusted."

ALL: How can I re-pay the Lord for his goodness to me? The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord's name.

My vows to the Lord I will ful-fill before all his people. O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful.

Your servant, Lord, your ser-vant am I; you have loosened my bonds. A thanksgiving sacri-fice I make; I will call on the Lord's name.

My vows to the Lord I will ful-fill before all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Je-rusalem. PSALM 116 (CONTINUED)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son , and to the Ho-ly Spirit: As it was in the be-ginning, is now, and will be forev-er. A-men.

ANTIPHON (CANTOR) I will take up the cup of salvation, and I will offer a sacrifice of praise.

ANTIPHON (CANTOR) You are the way, the trusth and the life of the world, O Lord.

REVELATION 19 CANTICLE

Verses are on the next page. REVELATION 19 CANTICLE (CONTINUED)

ANTIPHON (CANTOR) You are the way, the trusth and the life of the world, O Lord.

READING 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 I received from the Lord what I handed on to you, namely, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread, and after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after the supper, he took the cup, saying," This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remem- brance of me." MEDITATION Claudio Casciolini

“Panis Angelicus” comes from a Gregorian Chant hymn called “” that is sung at Matins on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Matins are a form of morning prayer that very closely resembles the Great Easter Vigil. Matins has 9 lessons that are accompanied by psalms, hymns and other sung responses. These lessons and sung responses are split into 3 nocturns. Panis Angelicus comes from verses 6 of the chant, Sacris Solemniis. The song selection heard today is based on the words, but not the melody of the chant.

RESPONSORY

CANTOR, then ALL

CANTOR

CANTOR

ALL

GOSPEL CANTICLE

ANTIPHON CANTOR How holy this feast in which Christ is our food; his passion is recalled; grace fills our hearts; and we receive a pledge of the glory to come, alleluia. CANTOR:

ALL: ANTIPHON CANTOR How holy this feast in which Christ is our food; his passion is recalled; grace fills our hearts; and we receive a pledge of the glory to come, alleluia.

INTERCESSIONS

Christ invites all to the supper in which he gives his body and blood for the life of the world. Let us ask him: Christ, the bread of heaven, grant us everlasting life.

Christ, Son of the living God, you commanded that this thanksgiv- ing meal be done in memory of you, – enrich your Church through the faithful celebration of these mysteries. Christ, the bread of heaven, grant us everlasting life.

Christ, eternal priest of the Most High, you have commanded your priests to offer your sacraments, – may they help them to exemplify in their lives the meaning of the sacred mysteries which they celebrate. Christ, the bread of heaven, grant us everlasting life.

Christ, bread from heaven, you form one body out of all who par- take of the one bread, – refresh all who believe in you with harmony and peace. Christ, the bread of heaven, grant us everlasting life.

Christ, through your bread you offer the remedy for immortality and the pledge of future resurrection, – restore health to the sick and living hope to sinners. Christ, the bread of heaven, grant us everlasting life.

Christ, our king who is to come, you commanded the mysteries which proclaim your death to be celebrated until you return, – grant that all who die in you may share in your resurrection. Christ, the bread of heaven, grant us everlasting life. BENEDICTION: Gabriel Fauré

POSTLUDE: Verbum Supernum Prodiens Nicolas DeGrigny

VERBUM supernum prodiens High Word of God, who once didst come, a Patre lumen exiens, Leaving Thy Father and Thy home, qui natus orbi subvenis To succor by Thy birth our kind, cursu declivi temporis: When, towards Thy advent, time declined,

Illumina nunc pectora Pour light upon us from above, tuoque amore concrema; And fire our hearts with Thy strong love, audita per praeconia That, as we hear Thy Gospel read, sint pulsa tandem lubrica. All fond desires may flee in dread;

Iudexque cum post aderis That when Thou comest from the skies, rimari facta pectoris, Great Judge, to open Thine assize, reddens vicem pro abditis To give each hidden sin its smart, iustisque regnum pro bonis, And crown as kings the pure in heart,

Non demum artemur malis We be not set at Thy left hand, pro qualitate criminis, Where sentence due would bid us stand, sed cum beatis compotes But with the saints Thy face may see, simus perennes caelites. Forever wholly loving Thee.

Sit, Christe, rex piissime, Praise to the Father and the Son, tibi Patrique gloria Through all the ages as they run; cum Sancto Spiritu Paraclito, And to the holy Paraclete in sempiterna saecula. Amen. Be praise with Them and worship meet. Amen.

Text and translation taken from https://chantblog.blogspot.com/2009/05/verbum-supernum-prodiens.html