A Musical Meditation on the Life of Christ

On 28th November, the Schola Cantorum of St Joseph’s Parish Church offered a musical meditation upon the life of our Lord.
Here are some selections from that evening’s inspiring repertoire.

Part I: Advent and Christmas
Puer natus est nobis – Words: Introit antiphon for Christmas Day (Isaiah 9:6; Psalm 98(97): 1); Music: Gregorian chant

Lullay my liking – Words: Anonymous (15th Century English); Music: Gustav Holst (1874-1934)

Part II: Jesus’ Public Ministry
Notre Père – Words: The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6: 9-13); Music: Maurice Duruflé (1902-1986)

The Beatitudes – Words: The Beatitudes (Matthew 5: 3-12); Music: Traditional Russian Chant

If ye love me – Words: John 14: 15-17; Music: Thomas Tallis (c.1505-1585)

Part III: Passion and Death
Hosanna filio David – Words: Antiphon for the procession on Palm Sunday; Music: Gregorian chant

Part IV: Resurrection and Ascension
Resurrexi – Words: Psalm 138: 18, 5, 6, 1, 2. Introit for Easter Sunday; Music: Gregorian chant

Quia vidisti me – Words: John 20: 29; Music: Matthew JC Ward (written in 2015 for the Schola of St Joseph’s Church, New Malden)

O rex gloriae – Words: Antiphon to the Magnificat for the Second Vespers of Ascension; Music: Luca Marenzio (1553-1599)

Part V: Pentecost
Factus est repente – Words: Communion for the Mass of Pentecost (Acts 2: 2,4;) Music: Gregorian chant

O sacrum convivium – Words: Antiphon to the Magnificat for the Second Vespers of Corpus Christi (based on 1 Corinthians 11: 26 and Romans 8: 18); Music: Giovanni Croce (1557-1609)

Sing we of the Blessed Mother – Words: G. B. Timms (1910-1997); Music: ‘Abbot’s Leigh’ by Cyril V. Taylor


Meditation Programme in PDF format

A Musical Meditation on the Life of Christ



This Saturday 28th November at 7.15pm, in St Joseph’s Catholic Church, New Malden, KT3 3QW.
Come and listen to St Joseph’s Schola as we follow the life of Christ through the great music of the Church’s Liturgy, including choral music from the Middle Ages to the 21st Century.  This promises to be a wonderful hour of musical meditation in preparation for the Church New Year at Advent.
Entry is free, with a retiring charity collection.
Musical Meditation on the Life of Christ Poster

You can listen to a selection of the programme, here…