Language review for the Easter Season
复活期洒圣水歌 Fùhuó qí sǎ shèngshuǐ gē Easter Season Holy Water Song
About two and a half years ago, I wrote a blog post about the Chinese version of Asperges Me. It is what we sing during the Holy Water Rite outside of the Easter Season. Nearly every week our Introductory Rite includes the Asperges, and I strongly associate the very Latin practice with Chinese Catholic worship.
During the Easter Season, we have a different chant. It is, of course, Vidi Aquam. Based on Ezekiel 47:1, the antiphon in Chinese is
Here's what it sounds like
After the antiphon, there are two verses. The first one is Psalm 107:1 :
The second is the Doxology (Glory Be):
Neither of these are included in the video above to keep the upload manageable for the blog. But after singing the Psalm and Doxology, we return to the antiphon.
Every week during the Holy Water Rite, and especially during Easter Season, I hear our chants and feel the water, and I am reminded how grateful I am for the past ten-plus years in Chinese churches. Yes, the Mass is the Mass, everywhere, in this Universal Church, but there is also room in the Ordo for some local expression. My experience of 洒圣水歌 throughout the Liturgical Year is different than of Asperges or Vidi Aquam elsewhere. Not better, but something I have grown to anticipate and savor.
About two and a half years ago, I wrote a blog post about the Chinese version of Asperges Me. It is what we sing during the Holy Water Rite outside of the Easter Season. Nearly every week our Introductory Rite includes the Asperges, and I strongly associate the very Latin practice with Chinese Catholic worship.
During the Easter Season, we have a different chant. It is, of course, Vidi Aquam. Based on Ezekiel 47:1, the antiphon in Chinese is
我看见有水，从圣殿右边流出。阿叻路亚。
Wǒ kànjiàn yǒu shuǐ, cóng shèng diàn yòubiān liúchū. Ā lè lù yà.
所有被这水洗洁的人，都已得救。阿叻路亚。
Suǒyǒu bèi zhè shuǐxǐ jié de rén, dōu yǐ déjiù. Ā lè lù yà.
他们齐声高唱，阿叻路亚，阿叻路亚。
Tāmen qí shēnggāo chàng, ā lè lù yà, ā lè lù yà
Here's what it sounds like
After the antiphon, there are two verses. The first one is Psalm 107:1 :
请大家赞颂上主，因为他美善宽仁，他的仁慈永远长存
Qǐng dàjiā zànsòng shàng zhǔ, yīnwèi tā měi shàn kuān rén,tā de réncí yǒngyuǎn cháng cún.
The second is the Doxology (Glory Be):
愿光荣归于父、及子及圣神, 起初如何，今日亦然，直到永远。阿们
Yuàn guāngróng guīyú fù, jí zi jí shèng shén, qǐchū rúhé, jīnrì yì rán, zhídào yǒngyuǎn. Āmen
Neither of these are included in the video above to keep the upload manageable for the blog. But after singing the Psalm and Doxology, we return to the antiphon.
Every week during the Holy Water Rite, and especially during Easter Season, I hear our chants and feel the water, and I am reminded how grateful I am for the past ten-plus years in Chinese churches. Yes, the Mass is the Mass, everywhere, in this Universal Church, but there is also room in the Ordo for some local expression. My experience of 洒圣水歌 throughout the Liturgical Year is different than of Asperges or Vidi Aquam elsewhere. Not better, but something I have grown to anticipate and savor.
Comments