During Lent some beautiful pieces of Dominican chant are sung in the office of Compline. One of these is the responsory 'Media Vita' (which is said to have moved St Thomas Aquinas to tears) and which may be translated as follows:
"In the midst of life we are in death; of whom may we seek help but you, O Lord, who for our offences are justly displeased?
Yet, O God most holy, O holy and mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, give us not over unto bitter death.
Cast us not away in the time of our old age; forsake us not, O Lord, when our strength fails us.
Yet, O God most holy, O holy and mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, give us not over unto bitter death."
Below is a recording of the Dominican students at Blackfriars singing this chant:
I happened to be reading a Biblical passage and noticed that the Pharisees called Jesus 'master.' Is that the same as teacher or is there a sarcastic element to the moniker. The passage was John 8, which I am told is disputed, at least the passage about the adultress.
"Blessed Jordan, worthy successor of St Dominic, in the early days of the Order, your example and zeal prompted many men and women to follow Christ in the white habit of Our Holy Father. As patron of Dominican vocations, continue to stimulate talented and devoted men and women to consecrate their lives to God. Through your intercession, lead to the Order of Preachers generous and sacrificing persons, willing to give themselves fervently to the apostolate of Truth. Help them to prepare themselves to be worthy of the grace of a Dominican vocation. Inspire their hearts to become learned of God, that with firm determination they might aspire to be 'champions of the Faith and true lights of the world'. Amen."
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I happened to be reading a Biblical passage and noticed that the Pharisees called Jesus 'master.' Is that the same as teacher or is there a sarcastic element to the moniker. The passage was John 8, which I am told is disputed, at least the passage about the adultress.
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