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Views from the Choir Loft

Four Eucharistic Motets for the Year of the Eucharist

Richard J. Clark · July 9, 2021

IN 2019 CARDINAL Seán Patrick O’Malley, O.F.M. Cap. announced 2020 would begin the “Year of the Eucharist” in the Archdiocese of Boston (extended to June of 2022). This was in response to a Pew survey that revealed only a minority of Catholics believe in the Real Presence in the Eucharist. Indeed, “The Eucharist is ‘the source and summit of the Christian life.'” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1324)

The Catechism also states:

The Council of Trent summarizes the Catholic faith by declaring: “Because Christ our Redeemer said that it was truly his body that he was offering under the species of bread, it has always been the conviction of the Church of God, and this holy Council now declares again, that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No.1376)

Little did we know what was in store for the entire world in 2020. Forced abstinence from the Eucharist heightened for many the appreciation of the sacraments that one can take for granted. During countless daily virtual Masses, I felt I was one of the lucky ones to be in the presence of the Eucharist while many could not.

Further inspired by the artistry of the Cathedral’s quartet, I composed a set of four Eucharistic motets. Composed early in 2021, these have all been sung at various liturgies at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. These were also recorded in the South Bell Tower of the Cathedral. Working with pandemic restrictions, these motets are limited to four SATB voices. You may listen here:

Four Eucharistic Motets • Clark

** Scores are available here. 

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Ave Verum Corpus • Richard J. Clark • Boston Cathedral Singers
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Adoro te devote • Clark • Boston Cathedral Singers
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Pange Lingua • Richard J. Clark • Boston Cathedral Singers
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O sacrum convivium • Clark • Boston Cathedral Singers
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• Ave verum corpus • Clark

• Adoro te devote • Clark

• Pange lingua • Clark

• O sacrum convivium • Clark

Tremendous gratitude is owed to Barbara Hill, soprano, Jaime Korkos, mezzo-soprano Michael González, tenor, and Taras Leschishin, bass for creating beauty and upholding dignity and reverence in the Sacred Liturgy during this time.

Photo: Michael Kieloch, Blessed Sacrament Chapel at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston 

Soli Deo gloria

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: September 1, 2022

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About Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    Hymn by Cardinal Newman
    During the season of Septuagesima, we will be using this hymn by Cardinal Newman, which employs both Latin and English. (Readers probably know that Cardinal Newman was one of the world's experts when it comes to Lingua Latina.) The final verse contains a beautiful soprano descant. Father Louis Bouyer—famous theologian, close friend of Pope Paul VI, and architect of post-conciliar reforms—wrote thus vis-à-vis the elimination of Septuagesima: “I prefer to say nothing, or very little, about the new calendar, the handiwork of a trio of maniacs who suppressed (with no good reason) Septuagesima and the Octave of Pentecost and who scattered three quarters of the Saints higgledy-piddledy, all based on notions of their own devising!”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Introit • Candlemas (2 February)
    “Candlemas” • Our choir sang on February 2nd, and here's a live recording of the beautiful INTROIT: Suscépimus Deus. We had very little time to rehearse, but I think it has some very nice moments. I promise that by the 8th Sunday after Pentecost it will be perfect! (That Introit is repeated on the 8th Sunday after Pentecost.) We still need to improve, but we're definitely on the right track!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Simplified Antiphons • “Candlemas”
    Anyone who desires simplified antiphons (“psalm tone versions”) for 2 February, the Feast of the Purification—which is also known as “Candlemas” or the Feast of the Presentation—may freely download them. The texts of the antiphons are quite beautiful. From “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium” you can hear a live excerpt (Mp3). I'm not a fan of chant in octaves, but we had such limited time to rehearse, it seemed the best choice. After all, everyone should have an opportunity to learn “Lumen Ad Revelatiónem Géntium,” which summarizes Candlemas.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The sun’s disc did not remain immobile. This was not the sparkling of a heavenly body, for it spun round on itself in a mad whirl, when suddenly a clamor was heard from all the people. The sun, whirling, seemed to loosen itself from the firmament and advance threateningly upon the earth as if to crush us with its huge fiery weight. The sensation during those moments was terrible.”

— ‘Dr. Almeida Garrett, professor of natural sciences at the University of Coimbra (1917)’

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