March 12th is the feast day of St. Gregory the Great (c. 540-604). 
He was born into a wealthy family in Rome, and upon his father’s death he inherited a fortune. He built seven monasteries, becoming the abbot of one. He was ordained by Pope Pelagius II. Gregory was elected pope in 590 after Pope Pelagius’ death, despite Gregory’s reluctance. As Pope, he fought against heresies and reformed the liturgy. St. Gregory established the style of music for the Church known as the Gregorian chant. He was a prolific writer, having a tremendous influence on the Middle Ages; therefore he has been proclaimed a Doctor of the Church. He died on March 12th, 604.
A famous Gregorian style chant piece is the Miserere (full title: Miserere mei, Deus, Latin for “Have mercy on me, O God”). The Miserere is Psalm 50 set to Gregorian chant by Italian composer Gregorio Allegri. This Gregorian chant was composed around 1630 for use in the Sistine Chapel. The Miserere is written for two choirs, one of five and one of four voices. One of the choirs sings a plain chant of the Miserere; the other sings an elaborate version. Most people know this work by its incredibly ethereal top C note sung by one person, followed by the all-encompassing harmony of the larger choir.
Here is part of Psalm 50, in the Miserere: Psalm 50, 3-11 (Douay Rheims Bible)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy.
And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.
Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.
To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee:
that thou mayst be justified in thy words and mayst overcome when thou art judged.
For behold I was conceived in iniquities;
and in sins did my mother conceive me.
For behold thou hast loved truth:
the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me.
Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed:
thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness:
and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.
Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Enjoy this version of the Miserere, in honor of St. Gregory’s feast day, by the Tallis Scholars. This musical piece is usually sung during Lent.
Comments are closed.