Friday, March 13, 2009

Rossini in Praise of Pio Nono

Father Michael Brown found these two pieces in praise of Pius IX, the second is part of a cantata by Rossini, he suggests that James MacMillan might write something in honour of Good Pope Benedict.

So what about it James?

Maybe someone could suggest a short text?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What about these words?

Full in the panting heart of Rome,
Beneath the apostle's crowning dome,
From pilgrims' lips that kiss the ground,
Breathes in all tongues one only sound:

Chorus:
"God bless our Pope, God bless our Pope,
God Bless our Pope, the great, the good."

The golden roof, the marble walls,
The Vatican's majestic halls,
The note redouble, till it fills
With echoes sweet the seven hills:

Chorus

Then surging through each hallowed gate
Where martyrs glory, in peace, await,
It sweeps beyond the solemn plain,
Peals over Alps, across the main:

Chorus

From torrid south to frozen north,
That wave harmonious stretches forth,
Yet strikes no chord more true to Rome's,
Than rings within our hearts and homes:

Chorus

Anonymous said...

Not his bag at all, I suspect.

I guess Benedict would prefer a liturgical or scriptural text to ultramonanist kitsch.

Anonymous said...

How about some of this text (acknowledgements to a poster on Fr. Z's blog):

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

"For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

"Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day and, having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace.

"With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Eph 6:10-18

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