Twenty-three motets

Today Simon Peter ascended the gibbet of the cross, alleluia. Today the keeper of the keys of the heavenly kingdom departed, rejoicing, to Christ. Today Paul the apostle, light of the whole earth, bowing his head for the name of Christ, was crowned with martyrdom, alleluia.

The cross and the rod, ever watchful, radiance of glory, sign of victory, which eternal salvation chose as the most precious of all cedars. Alleluia.

O wood of life and most worthy cross, which received beauty and splendour from the limbs of the Lord, which eternal salvation chose as the most precious of all cedars. Alleluia.

This is Michael the Archangel, prince of the host of angels, whose honour bestows benefits upon the peoples, and whose prayer leads them to the kingdoms of heaven.

Most glorious prince, Michael the Archangel, be mindful of us; here and everywhere, always pray for us to the Son of God. Alleluia, alleluia.

Look, Lord: the city once full of riches has been laid desolate. She sits in sorrow, the mistress of the nations. There is none to comfort her but you, our God.

Encircle her with your impregnable wall, Lord, and with the arms of your power protect her always, Lord our God.

Elizabeth of Zachary bore a great man, John the Baptist, forerunner of the Lord, who prepared the way of the Lord in the desert.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John, who prepared the way of the Lord in the desert.

Let us make amends for the sins we have committed in ignorance, lest, suddenly overtaken by the day of death, we seek time for repentance and are unable to find it. Hear us, Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against you.

We have sinned with our fathers; we have acted unjustly; we have done wrong. Hear us, Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against you.

These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands shining before the Lord. They have the power to close the heavens with clouds and to open their gates, for their tongues have become the keys of heaven. Alleluia.

Andrew, seeing the cross, cried out, saying: “O wondrous cross, O cross beyond all telling, O cross that shines bright across the whole world, receive the disciple of Christ; do not let me stray like a sheep that has no shepherd.”

“O good cross, you who received grace and beauty from the limbs of the Lord, receive the disciple of Christ; do not let me stray like a sheep that has no shepherd.”

I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven, prepared by God like a bride adorned for her husband. The Lord has sanctified his tabernacle: for this is the house of God, in which his name will be invoked, of which it is written: “And my name shall be there, says the Lord”.

O how dreadful is this place! Truly, this is nothing other than the house of God and the gate of heaven.

Hail, our hope, Mother of God, inviolate virgin. Hail, you who received that “Ave” through the angel. Hail, blessed one, conceiving the splendour of the Father. Hail, most holy virgin, and the only mother who is inviolate. Every creature glorifies you, the mother of light. Alleluia.

O virgin Lucy, why do you ask of me what you yourself will soon be able to grant? For your faith has come to your mother’s aid, and behold, she was healed; because you have prepared in your virginity a dwelling pleasing to God.

Just as through me the city of Catania is exalted by Christ, so through you the city of Syracuse will be honoured, for in your virginity you have prepared a dwelling pleasing to God.

Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia, because you were worthy to bear him, alleluia.

He has risen, as he said, alleluia. Pray to God for us, alleluia.

Muses, why do you dwell upon these mountains and these inhospitable crags, where all things bristle with horror, where the forests and the dens of ravening beasts forever threaten you with a wretched death? You must change your dwelling, another citadel must you seek out, where all is joyful and all is safe. Come here, all of you, come with hearts joined as one — see, to this place too Phoebus has brought his laurel of Peneus and fixed it deep in our soil, and here the laurel said: «Let this be our greater court; farewell, harshest wildernesses of Parnassus!»

See how Pallas too, neighbour of Phoebus, has set her citadel in these same places, the Attic rock now left behind, and granted to an illustrious people the privilege of her name, from whom Jerome drew his lineage, reared in your bosom, our mighty glory, glory of our age. Here, O Muses, do not be loath to yield: your pupil is here, who willingly gives himself wholly to you. Here, Muses, fix your dwelling for ever, and together with Phoebus, together with Pallas, raise the praises of your pupil to the heights of heaven.

But the Canaanite woman cried out to the Lord Jesus, saying: “Lord, help me; my daughter is grievously tormented by a demon.” Jesus answered and said to her: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and worshipped him, saying: “Lord, help me.” Jesus answered and said: “Woman, your faith is great; let it be done for you as you desire.”

Holy Mother, do this for me: drive the wounds of the crucified deep into my heart. Share with me the pains of your wounded Son, who deigned to suffer for my sake. Let me truly weep with you, and grieve with him, the crucified, for as long as I live. To stand beside the cross with you, to join you gladly in mourning: this is my desire.

Blessed is your name, O God of our fathers: when you are angry, you show mercy, and in time of tribulation you forgive the sins of those who call upon you. This is held as certain by all who worship you: that their life, if it is put to the test, will be crowned; if it is in tribulation, will be delivered; and if it is in corruption, it will be permitted to come to your mercy.

Look down, O Lord, from your holy seat, and think of us; incline your ear, my God, and hear; open your eyes and see our tribulation; O you who rule Israel, give heed, you who lead Joseph like a sheep.

Holy Mary, help the miserable, assist the faint-hearted, revive the tearful, pray for the people, intervene for the clergy, intercede for devout women. May all who celebrate your commemoration feel your help.

O blessed Mary, who can worthily repay you the rightful thanks and praises, you who, by your own will, came to the aid of a lost world? What praises can the frailty of the human race offer you, who alone found the path to salvation?

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!

I am the servant of the Lord and the happy athlete of the mighty one. I approach as a prophet, and I sing these sacred words: Look! I prophesy that the gods have decreed the future: that you shall be the head of the Roman Empire. For the people turn to you, ready in spirit, and now they place three garlands upon your head. Therefore, dispel great worries with your excellent heart, and, as a suppliant, call the gods to your prayers. Thus speaks the shepherd of Christ, who by His will moves Olympus and those whose hearts love the nations in the light. [Cantus firmus:] N. High priest.

Inviolate, untouched, and chaste are you, Mary: you have become the radiant gate of heaven. O dear nurturing Mother of Christ: receive these loving praises, which devout hearts and voices now implore: that our hearts and bodies may be pure. Through your sweet-sounding prayers: grant us forgiveness through all ages. O kind one! O Queen! O Mary! You alone have remained inviolate.

Transcending the order of things, the Virgin Mother gives birth to God made man. No man has touched the virgin, nor does the father know the origin of the child. The power of the Holy Spirit accomplished this heavenly deed. Who among us can fathom the vicissitudes of your birth? The providence of God, which arranges all things so sweetly, transforms your childbearing into a mystery. Hail, O Mother.