Happy Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Today is a very special day in the Church, especially in Mexico.
The U.S. Bishops have called for a special day of prayer today with a focus on the plight of refugees and migrants. It will be a time to place before God the hopes, fears, and needs of all those families who have come to the United States seeking a better life.
On this feast I share with you a beautiful piece of Latin American sacred music. There is a rich tradition of baroque sacred music from the Spanish colonies of the new world. One of the baroque masters of Mexico was Manuel de Sumaya, a contemporary of Bach and Handel, who became the chapel master of the Cathedral of Mexico City in 1715. In 1738 Sumaya left for the Cathedral of Oaxaca and was replaced by Ignacio de Jerusalem, another prolific composer. Sumaya died in 1755 in Oaxaca leaving behind a beautiful repertoire for future generations to enjoy. This is a link to my favorite work by Sumaya, Angelicias Milicias, which is a beautiful Marian hymn.
The text in Spanish and English (my personal translation) is below the link. Unfortunately much is lost when translating the beautiful words into English.
| Angélicas Milicias, celestiales escuadras, que del Monarca del Imperio Sacro guardáis el divino soberano alcázar. |
Angelic Armies, celestial squadrons,
who guard the divine and sovereign citadel of the Sacred Empire’s Monarch. |
| ¡A las armas, a las armas!, que la mas hermosa y pura, Reina triunfante a la altura sube a coronarse grata. |
To arms, to arms!
For the most beautiful and pure triumphant Queen, to the heavens rises to be pleasingly crowned. |
| Y así cada cuerda, y el eco sonoro de clarín y caja, aplaude a sus glorias con dulces estruendos de bélicas salvas. |
And so every string and resounding echo
of bugle and drum, applaud her glories with a sweet warring round of thunder. |
| Hoy que la divina Reina de las jerarquías altas sube a poseer la corona del Imperio de la Gracia. |
Today the divine Queen
of the high hierarchies rises to possess the crown of the Empire of Grace. |
| Hoy que por Madre y Señora el siempre Eterno Monarca del Celestial Sacro Trono gloriosamente la aclama. |
Today for being Mother and Lady,
the always Eternal Monarch from the Celestial Sacred Throne gloriously acclaims her. |
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