Commemoration of the faithful departed
Massimo Palombella
Remembering the dead today means being in contact, becoming ‘familiar’ with death, the only truly certain thing in our lives. Death questions us about how much we are really living, about the true quality of our lives, about what is really essential and what we cannot afford to lose, about how much we are really ready today to “see God”.
The introit of today’s Celebration has the following text:
“Réquiem aetérnam dona eis, Dómine, et lux perpétua lúceat eis.”
(Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them).
The attached music, as far as Gregorian Chant is concerned, is taken from the Graduale Triplex published in Solesmes in 1979. The verses in polyphony come from the Missa pro Defunctis Quatuor vocum by Tomás Luis de Victoria published in Rome in 1592 (Missae quattuor, quinque, sex, et octo vocibus [Romae, Apud Franciscum Coattinum 1592]).
The live performance is by the Musical Chapel of the Duomo of Milano at the Celebration of 14 June 2023 (Silvio Berlusconi’s funeral).
A blessed day and heartfelt greetings.
