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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Thoughts on the “Hymn” for the Year of Mercy?

Andrew Leung · August 13, 2015

CTL Year of Mercy FRIEND OF MINE posted a link about the Holy Year of Mercy on my Facebook yesterday. The Vatican just released the official hymn for the Year of Mercy on August 6. Misericordes sicut Pater by English composer Paul Inwood was chosen by a committee. Inwood and 89 other composers around the world participated in the competition sponsored by the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization.

The name of the piece, Misericordes sicut Pater, is from Luke 6:36. It is also the motto for the Jubilee: Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. The text was written by Jesuit Father Eugenio Costa. The piece has been released in Italian, French and English, with the refrains and antiphons in Latin. The full English score can be found here. This is the official English text from the Vatican website:

Misericordes sicut Pater! Misericordes sicut Pater!

1. Give thanks to the Father, for He is good in aeternum misericordia eius
He created the world with wisdom in aeternum misericordia eius
He leads His people throughout history in aeternum misericordia eius
He pardons and welcomes His children in aeternum misericordia eius

2. Give thanks to the Son, Light of the Nations in aeternum misericordia eius
He loved us with a heart of flesh in aeternum misericordia eius
As we receive from Him, let us also give to Him in aeternum misericordia eius
Hearts open to those who hunger and thirst in aeternum misericordia eius

Misericordes sicut Pater! Misericordes sicut Pater!

3. Let us ask the Spirit for the seven holy gifts in aeternum misericordia eius
Fount of all goodness and the sweetest relief in aeternum misericordia eius
Comforted by Him, let us offer comfort in aeternum misericordia eius
Love hopes and bears all things in aeternum misericordia eius

4. Let us ask for peace from the God of all peace in aeternum misericordia eius
The earth waits for the Good News of the Kingdom in aeternum misericordia eius
Joy and pardon in the hearts of the little ones in aeternum misericordia eius
The heavens and the earth will be renewed in aeternum misericordia eius

Misericordes sicut Pater! Misericordes sicut Pater!

HERE IS ONE THING I don’t quite understand: why is this piece an “official hymn”? Why can’t it be an “official song”? This song is really not a hymn! It is a Litany! I would have to admit that this piece is the best one I have heard by Inwood. And this Litany is definitely more dignified and worthy for the Liturgy than Center of My Life. But it is still not my favorite. What do you think?

I do think the Sistine Chapel Choir sounds much better than a few years ago.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung currently serves the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers, and music director at Our Lady of China Church.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“To speak the language of God’s beauty, we must first begin to listen. And to listen, we must have silence in our lives. I pray that God will open our eyes and ears to beauty, and help us use it in the service of the Truth.”

— Bishop James D. Conley (10/4/2013)

Recent Posts

  • Why A “Fugue” Here?
  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall
  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)

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