This Advent text of the Prophet Isaiah echoes the longing and expectation of the patriarchs and prophets who awaited Christ's birth. The Latin Rite Church assigns it as the Introit text for the Fourth Sunday of Advent as well as Saturdays of the Blessed Virgin Mary during Advent. Consequently, the Christian faithful prepare Christ's two-fold coming: as an infant at Christmas and as a king at the end of time.
premiered 2016 | St. Joseph Seminary Schola, Yonkers, NY | Dr. Jenny Donelson (director)
n.b. Also available with the Advent IV Psalmody Caeli ennarant for TTB or SSA
Rorate Caeli...Benedixisti | 2015 | ATB a cappella | 3-4'
Is. 45:8; Ps. 84:2
Roráte Caeli désuper,
et nubes pluant justum:
speriátur terra,
et gérminet Salvatórem.
Benedixísti, Dómine, terram tuam:
avertísti captivitátem Jacob.
Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper,
et in saecula saeculórum. Amen.
Introit: Votive Mass for BVM
Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above,
and let the clouds rain the Just:
let the earth be opened
and bud forth a Savior.
Lord, Thou hast blessed Thy land:
Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.
Glory be to the Father, and the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be
world without end.
Amen.