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The gradual of the Evening Mass of Maundy Thursday exalts the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. This is a famous passage from the Epistle to the Philippians, the text of which you can read and its translation below, just following the Introit.
This gradual is also sung at the end of all services of the Three days sacred, Holy Thursday, Friday and Saturday and particularly of the office of Darkness. The first evening we only sing the first phrase, the second is added but death on the cross, and the third we hear the triumphant second part which announces the resurrection. The melody of this gradual is made up of formulas found in many other graduals, but they are admirably chosen to express all the nuances of the text with a striking contrast between the two parts. Father Perrodon, in his work Our beautiful Gregorian chant (1944), écrit :
We find ourselves there in front of a peak of beauty. If we still doubted the influence that Christianity was able to exert on music, through its need to overflow into the lyricism of song the intoxication of love inspired by the mystery of Christ, we would not, for convince yourself of this by listening to this admirable piece.
Introit : We however
The evening mass of Maundy Thursday commemorates, as we know, the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Priesthood. The Introit and Gradual of this Mass show us the close link that exists between the Mass and the Cross, a link that we found in the opposite direction in the Communion of Passion Sunday. The first sentence of the Introit is borrowed from the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Galatians, in the conclusion of this letter, and the rest was added by the Church.
But we must glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ: in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection: through whom we are saved and delivered.
For us we must glory in the Cross of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, our life and our resurrection, and by whom we have been saved and delivered.
The melody is, as appropriate, quite triumphant, full of mystical ardor and fervor, with a beautiful crescendo in the first phrase towards Our Lordwhich is renewed in the second sentence towards vita. The third sentence is calmer and more contemplative. This Introit is accompanied by the first verse of Psalm 66, a small messianic psalm announcing the conversion of all peoples, which will be one of the fruits of the sacrifice of the cross:
May God have mercy on us and bless us: let his face shine upon us and have mercy on us.
May God have mercy on us and bless us, and let his face shine upon us and have mercy on us.
Gradual : He was anointed
Like the Introit, the Gradual of the evening mass of Maundy Thursday also exalts the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, and its text is also by Saint Paul, which is however quite rare in the songs of the mass. This is a famous passage from the Epistle to the Philippians:
Christ became obedient unto death for us, and the death of the cross. Because of this God exalted him and gave him a name which is above every name.
Christ became obedient for us unto death, and death on the cross; therefore God exalted him and gave him a name above every name.
This Gradual is also sung at the end of all services of the Three days sacred, Holy Thursday, Friday and Saturday and particularly of the office of Darkness. The first evening we only sing the first phrase, the second we add and the death of the cross, and the third we add the second triumphal part which announces the resurrection. The melody of this Gradual is made up of formulas found in many other Graduals, but they are admirably chosen to express all the nuances of the text with a striking contrast between the two parts. The first is dark and serious especially the word of the cross which sinks into the depths. The second, on the contrary, rises to the heights with enthusiasm, particularly the great aerial vocalization adorning the word todaypronoun which designates Christ.
Let us add that this mass only includes one song between the Epistle and the Gospel. So there is no Hallelujah, of course, but there is no Trait either.
Offertory : The right hand of the Lord
This Offertory song was already that of the third Sunday following Epiphany and we can refer to it. Let us only add that it is placed today in the mouth of Christ, who gives thanks in advance to his Father for the victory of the resurrection, already mentioned in the Introit. Psalm 117 from which this song is taken is, as we will see, the Paschal psalm par excellence.
Communion : Lord Jesus
The Communion song of the evening mass of Maundy Thursday is taken from the Gospel which is read at this mass, that of the washing of the feet, in chapter 13 of Saint John.
The Lord Jesus, following he had dined with his disciples, washed their feet, and said to them: Do you know what I have done to you, I, Lord and Master? I have given you an example, that you may do likewise.
The Lord Jesus, following having eaten with his disciples, washed their feet and said to them: Do you know what I have just done for you, I who am your Lord and Master? I have set an example for you to do the same.
After having read the words of the institution of the Eucharist in the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, the Church wanted to retain, to be read in the Gospel of this Mass, this sublime lesson of humility and charity , which sheds light on its full meaning. The melody of this song is a simple recitative, quite regular; only the word You know at the moment when Christ speaks, is underlined by a beautiful expressive rise.
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