October 20, 2005
Hostias
Verdi's Requiem contains stirring music from beginning to end, but the ultimate moment for me lies midway through the Offertorio as the Domine Jesu Christe ends and the Hostias begins. Given the constraints of file sizes, I can only offer you the Hostias itself, which is beautiful in its own right. If you like what you hear or would like to know more about this recording, drop in a comment.
Hostias et preces tibi, Domine,
laudis offerimus,
Tu suscipe pro animabus illis,
quarum hodie memoriam facimus:
fac eas, Domine, de morte
transire ad vitam,
quam olim Abrahae promisisti
et semini ejus.
For those not up to speed on their latin or mass-memorization skills, here is the translation.
Lord in praise we offer to Thee
sacrifices and prayers,
do Thou receive them for the souls of those
whom we remember this day:
Lord, make them pass
from death to life,
as Thou didst promise Abraham
and his seed.