medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Thanks to everyone for your help.
John,
how did we arrive at Hildegard of Bingen's Ordo Virtutum in a seminar on
Visions of Heaven and Hell in Medieval English Lit.? In many of the visions
we have read so far in this course (OE Vision of St Paul, Vision of
Dryhthelm, Vision of Fursey, St Patrick's Purgatory, Vision of Tundale and
the Revelation of the Monk of Evesham) whenever the visionary is getting
closer to the heavenly parts of his journey, one of the first things he
realizes is (apart from the absence of stench and darkness) sweet sounding
music. In one vision the protagonist is not granted a proper view of heaven
(he is standing in some sort of ante-camber though), however, he recognizes
by the sound of heavenly voices singing that the region following next would
be the ultimate bliss, i.e. the heavenly Jerusalem.
Since to get a more comprehensive impression of the medieval perception of
the idea of heaven and hell, we have already looked at quite a number of
depictions of heaven and (more often) hell in medieval art, one of the
students suggested to appeal to another sense (rather appropriate I thought
for a 'medieval mind'), and came up with his idea of giving his fellow
students a taste of heavenly voices.
If I am informed correctly, Hidlegard's Ordo Virtutum has at its centre the
conflict of a soul about whether to follow the vices or the virtues (in a
way a morality really). After having followed the devil for a while the soul
realizes that only a virtuous life can lead to salvation and returns to the
virtues.
Even if it is not a vision, I considered this 'musical' suggestion close
enough to include it in our class.
Sandra
-----Original Message-----
From: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of John Briggs
Sent: Monday, January 10, 2005 6:28 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [M-R] looking for quote in the "Hochgebet"
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Sandra Lowerre wrote:
>
> The reason why I was interested in this passage of the mass was
> because a student of mine who is going to give a short presentation
> on Hildegard of Bingen's Ordo Virtutum in a course on Visions of
> heaven and hell in Medieval English Literature wanted to show that
> like the angelic choirs the community on earth is also invited to
> praise God with their singing.
> The student is German and a catholic, so I presume that he refers to
> the translated version of the Roman mass. Unfortunately, my knowledge
> of the Roman liturgy is almost non-existent which is why I can not
> tell which liturgical season or feast day would be the appropriate
> one for the quote.
>
I'm a little mystified, as the Ordo Virtutum doesn't seem to have much to do
with either Visions of Heaven and Hell or Medieval English Literature! I
think it is probably best to employ the Common Preface (as in e.g. the Sarum
Use) and Sanctus:
Dominus vobiscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.He raises them a little when he says:
Sursum corda.
R. Habemus ad Dominum.
Gratias agimus Domino Deo nostro.
R. Dignum et iustum est.
Vere dignum et iustum est, aequum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique
gratias agere: Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus: per Christum
Dominum nostrum. Per quem maiestatem tuam laudant Angeli, adorant
Dominationes, tremunt Potestates. Coeli, coelorumque Virtutes, ac beata
Seraphim, socia exsultatione concelebrant. Cum quibus et nostras voces, ut
admitti iubeas deprecamur, supplici confessione dicentes:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Hosanna in excelsis.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.
Hosanna in excelsis.
Translation (adapted very loosely from the Book of Common Prayer):
The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
R. We have lifted them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
R. It is meet and just.
Truly it is meet, just, right and salutary, that we should at all times, and
in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty
Everlasting God; through Christ our Lord. Through whom the Angels praise
Thy Majesty, the Dominations worship it, the Powers stand in awe. The
Heavens and the heavenly Virtues together with the blessed Seraphim in
exultation unite to celebrate it. Together with these we beseech Thee that
Thou mayest bid our voices also to be admitted while we humbly say:
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth.
Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
John Briggs
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