Verbum Patris Hodie

“Verbum Patris Hodie” is a “Benedicamus trope” — an insertion or addition of a text to the dismissal of the mass, in which the call, “Benedicamus Domino” (“Let us bless the Lord”), is answered with “Deo dicamus gratias” (“Thanks be to God”).

Dating to the Medieval era, when it was often used in the first Mass of Christmas, “Verbum Patris Hodie” celebrates in its first verse the incarnation of Christ, and recalls in its second verse various elements of the Nativity story as told in the gospels:

  1. Verbum Patris hodie processit de Virgine:
    virtutes angelice cum canore jubilo. Benedicamus Domino.
    The Word of the Father this day comes forth from a Virgin:
    the angelic powers sing with joy. Let us bless the Lord!
  2. Pacem bonis omnibus Nuntiavit angelus:
    refulsit pastoribus veri solis claritas. Deo dicamus gratias.
    The angel announced peace to all good men:
    light as of the sun shone on the shepherds. Thanks be to God!

This new, medium-easy setting of the text for SAB voices and organ features unison voices on the verses and voices in harmony on the refrains.

SAB/organ score (2 pages, 8.5×11″)