Link to Music In today's episode, we learn a hymn to the Guardian Angels in honor of the Feast of The Archangels. Angel-Guardians of men, spirits and powers we sing, Whom our Father hath sent, aids to our weakly frame, Heavenly friends and guides, help from on high to bring, Lest we fail through the foeman’s wile. He, the spoiler of souls, Angel-traitor of old, Cast in merited wrath out of his honored place, Burns with envy and hate, seeking their souls to gain Whom God’s mercy invites to heaven...
Sep 29, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Link to Music In today's episode, we learn the great antiphon from the washing of the feet on Holy Thursday: Ubi Caritas. Where charity and love are, there God is. The love of Christ has gathered us into one. Let us exult, and in Him be joyful. Let us fear and let us love the living God. And from a sincere heart let us love each other (and Him). Where charity and love are, there God is. Therefore, whensoever we are gathered as one: Lest we in mind be divided, let us beware. Let cease malicious q...
Sep 23, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 60
Link to Music In honor of the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, we learn today a hymn or Lauds from this feast. Although this feast dates back to the 12th century in terms of popular devotion -- and even some more formal Church recognition -- it didn't make it onto the General Roman Calendar until 1814. This hymn dates from roughly that era. O God of infinite mercy, grant that we may meditate well on the Seven Sorrows of the Virgin and on the Wounds of Jesus her Son. May the numerous tears of ...
Sep 15, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Happy feast of the Nativity of Our Blessed Mother! Today we learn a hymn from Vespers on the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate. As the first verse says, literally: "The supreme teacher of faith [the Pope] solemnly affirms that Mary is free from all stain." This happened in 1854, and the hymn refers to St. Bernadette, who lived after this proclamation, so this hymn isn't older than the mid-to-late 19th century. We hope you enjoy it! Lo! Mary is exempt from stain of sin, Proclaims the Po...
Sep 08, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 58
Link to the Music An epic hymn to the Maker of the World, this is from the Sarum Rite, which developed in Salisbury Cathedral in the 11th century. This hymn is also the origin of Mass XI, Missa Orbis Factor, which we learned way back in episode 28. 1. Maker of the world, King eternal, have mercy upon us. 2. O immense source of pity, have mercy upon us. 3. Drive off all our evils, have mercy upon us. 4. Christ who art the light of the world and giver of life, have mercy upon us. 5. Consider the w...
Sep 01, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Link to music (courtesy of CCWatershed) St. Thomas Aquinas was a theologian, a philosopher, and one of the greatest intellects of all time. He is known as the Angelic Doctor of the Church. But did you know he is also regarded as one of the greatest Catholic poets of all time? And he only wrote 5 poems – 38 stanzas of poetry. In 1264, Pope Urban IV established the Solemnity of The Body of Christ, and asked St. Thomas Aquinas to write the texts for the Mass and the Divine Office for this new feast...
Aug 25, 2022•54 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Sheet music (courtesy of CCWatershed) Today we learn Mass IX, Cum Jubilo, which is for Marian Feasts. You're challenge is to learn this Gregorian Mass, and introduce it to your parish!
Aug 23, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Link to Music In this episode, we learn the Sub Tuum Praesidium , the oldest existing hymn to Mary as "Theotokos" or "God-Bearer." Although the church didn't definitively teach that Mary was the Mother of God until the council of Ephesus in 431, this hymn predates that council by at least 150 years! We fly to thy protection, O Holy Mother of God; Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from all dangers, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin. Sub tuum praesidium confugimus,...
Aug 18, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Link to music In today's episode, we learn In Paradisum , the antiphon traditionally sung at the end of a requiem Mass as the body of the deceased is taken out of the church to be buried. May the Angels lead you into paradise; and on your arrival, may the Martyrs receive you and introduce into the holy city of Jerusalem. May you be welcomed by the choirs of Angels; and together with Lazarus, who was formerly poor, may you have eternal rest. In paradisum deducant te angeli; in tuo adventu suscipi...
Aug 11, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Link to Music (courtesy of CCWatershed) In today's episode, we learn the antiphon Asperges me, Domine , which accompanies the ritual sprinkling that takes place before every High Mass except during Paschaltide. Dating back to the 10th century, this beautiful, short antiphon can help to prepare those who sing it to fully participate in Holy Mass. We encourage you to learn this antiphon and then sing it on Sundays with your schola! THOU SHALT SPRINKLE ME, Lord, with hyssop and I shall be cleansed:...
Aug 04, 20220•Season 1Ep. 52
Music for Cor Arca Legem Continens From the Encyclopedia: An office hymn that was historically used for Lauds on the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Usually dated as an 18th-century composition, it is the work of an unknown author who is thought to have written also the hymns for Vespers and Matins of the same feast. In a series of types or figures, rather than in a fully developed allegory, stanzas one and two of the hymn represent the Sacred Heart as ark, temple, and—with reference to its open woun...
Jun 30, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Link to the music A hymn to St. John the Baptist, written by Paul the Deacon in the 8th century. You may never have heard of this hymn, unless you’ve studied music history or theory, as it’s not particularly well-known or popular, but it is actually extraordinarily influential. In this episode, you'll learn about the origin of SOLFEGE, which of course culminated in 1956, when Rogers and Hammerstein composed the most important piece of music ever written; Do, a Deer. Enjoy! Link to full lyrics (a...
Jun 23, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Link to the music Happy Solemnity of Corpus Christi! We present another one of St. Thomas's amazing hymns for this solemnity - Sacris Solemniis. St. Thomas Aquinas was a theologian, a philosopher, and one of the greatest intellects of all time. He is known as the Angelic Doctor of the Church. But did you know he is also regarded as one of the greatest Catholic poets of all time? And he only wrote 5 poems – 38 stanzas of poetry. In 1264, Pope Urban IV established the Solemnity of The Body of Chri...
Jun 16, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Link to Music St. Thomas Aquinas was a theologian, a philosopher, and one of the greatest intellects of all time. He is known as the Angelic Doctor of the Church. But did you know he is also regarded as one of the greatest Catholic poets of all time? And he only wrote 5 poems – 38 stanzas of poetry. In 1264, Pope Urban IV established the Solemnity of The Body of Christ, and asked St. Thomas Aquinas to write the texts for the Mass and the Divine Office for this new feast. Although St. Thomas was ...
Jun 09, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Link to music Happy Pentecost! Veni Creator Spiritus is one of the most popular, widely used hymns to the Holy Spirit in the Church. It has been translated into a number of English hymns ( Come Holy Ghost, Creator Blest; Creator Spirit, by Whose Aid, to name a few). Today, we'll learn the original Gregorian Chant -- of course! And be sure to sing this one on Pentecost to get a Plenary Indulgence -- all the other usual requirements for the indulgence still apply. Let's get some souls out of Purga...
Jun 02, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Music: http://gregorian-chant-hymns.com/hymns-2/regina-caeli-simple-pdf.pdf Happy Easter! In this episode, Gianna returns to help Thomas teach the simple tone of the Marian Antiphon for the Easter season: Regina Caeli. Listen to hear the story of how this chant was originally sung for Pope Gregory the Great by an Angelic Choir! REGINA, caeli, laetare, alleluia: Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia, Resurrexit sicut dixit, alleluia. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia. O QUEEN of heaven rejoice! allelui...
May 11, 20220•Season 1Ep. 46
Happy Easter!!! Wouldn't it be a shame if we only got to celebrate Easter for one lousy day? Music, courtesy of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest: http://www.institute-christ-king.org/uploads/music/tempore/MassLowSun_lg.pdf
Apr 21, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Happy Easter!!! Except...if you're learning the propers for Easter Sunday, it's likely during Holy Week, so the A-word is still off limits and we're actually in the throes of the Passion. But you're almost there! Music, courtesy of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest: https://www.institute-christ-king.org/uploads/music/tempore/MassEasterSun_lg.pdf
Apr 08, 2022•40 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Music: https://gregobase.selapa.net/chant.php?id=3038 The Parce Domine is based on a passage from the book of Joel, and has its origins as a chant as early as the 6th century. Today Thomas is joined by a special guest host. We hope she's willing to come back and join us again! 1. Let us appease His wrath, Beg for mercy from our Judge; Cry to Him in supplication, Let us all prostrate and say: 2. By our sins we have offended against your mercy, O God Pour forth from above O pardoning One, your for...
Apr 07, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Propers of the Year: A series of episodes in which we provide instruction and practice for more advanced chanters who are interested in preparing the Gregorian propers for each Sunday of the liturgical year. In this episode, Thomas teaches you the chants for Holy Thursday Links to PDF's for each chant (courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed): Introit: https://archive.ccwatershed.org/media/pdfs/15/04/02/12-54-42_0.pdf Gradual: https://archive.ccwatershed.org/media/pdfs/17/04/12/17-19-13_0.pdf Offer...
Apr 06, 20220•Season 1Ep. 43
Propers of the Year: A series of episodes in which we provide instruction and practice for more advanced chanters who are interested in preparing the Gregorian propers for each Sunday of the liturgical year. In this episode, Thomas teaches you the chants for Palm Sunday. Links to PDF's for each chant (courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed): Introit: https://archive.ccwatershed.org/media/pdfs/15/03/29/03-24-08_0.pdf Gradual: https://gregobase.selapa.net/chant.php?id=4872 Offertory: https://archive...
Apr 02, 2022•36 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Musical Score: https://media.musicasacra.com/pdf/exsultet.pdf In this marathon episode, Thomas teaches you to chant the Exsultet , the proclamation sung at the most exciting, wonderful, marvelous moment in the Liturgical Year -- the beginning of the Easter Vigil. This episode is intended for all those who have the privilege of preparing to sing this chant at the Easter Vigil. Please be sure to keep the translation with you as you learn this one! English: Exult, let them exult, the hosts of heave...
Mar 31, 2022•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Propers of the Year: A series of episodes in which we provide instruction and practice for more advanced chanters who are interested in preparing the Gregorian propers for each Sunday of the liturgical year. In this episode, Thomas teaches you the chants for the 5th Sunday of Lent. Links to PDF's for each chant (courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed): Introit: https://archive.ccwatershed.org/pdfs/8825-introit-judica-me-deus-et-discerne-causam-meam/download/ Gradual: https://archive.ccwatershed.or...
Mar 28, 2022•45 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Link to the Music: https://tinyurl.com/stabatsolemn In this episode, Giorgio and Joe sing a less well known, more difficult version of the Stabat Mater, in which there is a new melody every two verses. Considered by many to be one of the greatest Latin hymns ever written, the Stabat Mater Dolorosa tells the story of the sorrows of Mary during her Son’s passion, and puts the singer in the position of begging to accompany her in those sorrows. Written in the 13th century, likely either by Pope Inn...
Mar 28, 2022•7 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Propers of the Year: A series of episodes in which we provide instruction and practice for more advanced chanters who are interested in preparing the Gregorian propers for each Sunday of the liturgical year. In this episode, Thomas teaches you the chants for the 4th Sunday of Lent. Links to PDF's for each chant (courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed): Introit: https://archive.ccwatershed.org/pdfs/9999-pdf-fourth-4th-sunday-lent-year/download/ Gradual: https://archive.ccwatershed.org/pdfs/9996-fou...
Mar 26, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 38
https://tinyurl.com/agniparthenedhespina In honor of the Solemnity of the Annunciation, Giorgio, Thomas, and Joe teach you the hymn Agni Parthene , a marvelous hymn from the Orthodox tradition to Mary the Theotokos, or God-bearer. O Virgin pure, immaculate, O Lady Theotokos, O rejoice, Bride unwedded! O fleece bedewed with every grace, O Virgin Queen and Mother, O rejoice, Bride unwedded! More radiant than the rays of sun, and higher than the heavens, O rejoice, Bride unwedded! O joy of virgin e...
Mar 26, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Music: https://tinyurl.com/massxvii In this episode, Giorgio and Joe teach Mass XVII, traditionally used on Sunday during Advent and Lent.
Mar 23, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Link to the music: https://tinyurl.com/stabatmaterdolorosa Considered by many to be one of the greatest Latin hymns ever written, the Stabat Mater Dolorosa tells the story of the sorrows of Mary during her Son’s passion, and puts the singer in the position of begging to accompany her in those sorrows. Written in the 13th century, likely either by Pope Innocent the III or by a Fransiscan Friar: Jacopo da Todi. He’s an interesting fellow, who was a very wealthy and successful lawyer, got a reputat...
Mar 21, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Link to the music: https://tinyurl.com/tejoseph There are not many ancient hymns to St. Joseph in the West. This hymn is probably about 400 years old, and is sung at Vespers on the Feast of St. Joseph, March 19th. There has been a reinvigoration of devotion to St. Joseph in recent years, helped of course by the Year of St. Joseph which just ended. March 19th has been celebrated as the feast of St. Joseph for over 1000 years (although only universally in the Roman Rite since the 1500’s). 1. Let t...
Mar 16, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Propers of the Year: A series of episodes in which we provide instruction and practice for more advanced chanters who are interested in preparing the Gregorian propers for each Sunday of the liturgical year. In this episode, Thomas teaches you the chants for the 2nd Sunday of Lent. Links to PDF's for each chant (courtesy of Corpus Christi Watershed): Introit: https://archive.ccwatershed.org/media/pdfs/11/03/11/20-06-05_0.pdf Gradual: https://archive.ccwatershed.org/media/pdfs/16/02/13/23-18-53_0...
Mar 02, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 33
