O sacrum convivium
by Eugene E. Englert
4-Part - Sheet Music

SATB choir, a cappella

SKU: C5.5083

Composed by Eugene E. Englert. Text: Saint Thomas Aquinas. Eucharistic motet on familiar Latin text. Communion, Eucharist. Octavo. Published by CanticaNOVA Publications (C5.5083).

The text, "O sacrum convivium," is found as the first stanza of a poem written by Saint Thomas Aquinas in honor of the Most Holy Sacrament. Its sentiments express the profound mystery of the Eucharistic miracle: "O sacred banquet at which Christ is consumed, the memory of his Passion is recalled, our souls are filled with grace, and the pledge of future glory is given to us." Eugene Englert, a prominent American composer living in Cincinnati, Ohio, has set the text in his own traditional and slightly chromatic style. Beginning quietly, the motet builds with each phrase, reaching a climax on the word "gloriae" before a series of "Alleluias" and a calm pianissimo ending. Mr. Englert's interpretation of the Aquinas text would make a perfect communion offering by the choir, and would also be particularly appropriate for Benediction, Forty Hours and Corpus Christi.