Ecce sacerdos magnus
Encyclopedia
Ecce sacerdos magnus is an antiphon and a responsory
from the common
of confessors in the Liturgy of the Hours
and in the Graduale Romanum.
Its words are, Ecce sacerdos magnus, qui in diebus suis, placuit Deo, which means, "behold the great priest, who in his days, pleased God".
In certain cases, those words are followed by: et inventus est iustus (meaning, and has been found just).
In others , the response is: Non est inventus similis illi, qui conservaret legem excelsi (no one has been found to be like him in the keeping of the laws of the Most High).
The following is a complete text and translation of a different version, which may be used at the procession of a bishop at a solemn celebration of ordination:
Ecce sacerdos magnus, qui in diébus suis plácuit Deo Ideo jure jurando fecit illum Dóminus crescere in plebem suam. Benedictiónem ómnium géntium dedit illi, et testaméntum suum confirmávit super caput ejus. Ideo jure jurando fecit illum Dóminus crescere in plebem suam. Gloria patri et filio et spiritui sancto.
Behold a great priest who in his days pleased the Lord:
Therefore by an oath the Lord assured him that he would increase him among his people.
To him he gave the blessing of all nations and confirmed his covenant upon his head.
Therefore by an oath the Lord assured him that he would increase him among his people.
Glory to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The priest mentioned in the song refers to Christ, the high priest, in whose place the bishop stands.
It has been often set to music by composers, including Anton Bruckner
and Edward Elgar
.
Responsory
-Definition:The most general of a responsory is any psalm, canticle, or other sacred musical work sung responsorially, that is, with a cantor or small group singing verses while the whole choir or congregation respond with a refrain. However, this article focuses on those chants of the western...
from the common
Common (liturgy)
The Common or common of saints is a part of the Christian liturgy that consists of texts common to an entire category of saints, such as Apostles or Martyrs...
of confessors in the Liturgy of the Hours
Liturgy of the hours
The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the clergy, religious orders, and laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and readings...
and in the Graduale Romanum.
Its words are, Ecce sacerdos magnus, qui in diebus suis, placuit Deo, which means, "behold the great priest, who in his days, pleased God".
In certain cases, those words are followed by: et inventus est iustus (meaning, and has been found just).
In others , the response is: Non est inventus similis illi, qui conservaret legem excelsi (no one has been found to be like him in the keeping of the laws of the Most High).
The following is a complete text and translation of a different version, which may be used at the procession of a bishop at a solemn celebration of ordination:
Ecce sacerdos magnus, qui in diébus suis plácuit Deo Ideo jure jurando fecit illum Dóminus crescere in plebem suam. Benedictiónem ómnium géntium dedit illi, et testaméntum suum confirmávit super caput ejus. Ideo jure jurando fecit illum Dóminus crescere in plebem suam. Gloria patri et filio et spiritui sancto.
Behold a great priest who in his days pleased the Lord:
Therefore by an oath the Lord assured him that he would increase him among his people.
To him he gave the blessing of all nations and confirmed his covenant upon his head.
Therefore by an oath the Lord assured him that he would increase him among his people.
Glory to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
The priest mentioned in the song refers to Christ, the high priest, in whose place the bishop stands.
It has been often set to music by composers, including Anton Bruckner
Anton Bruckner
Anton Bruckner was an Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses, and motets. The first are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language, complex polyphony, and considerable length...
and Edward Elgar
Edward Elgar
Sir Edward William Elgar, 1st Baronet OM, GCVO was an English composer, many of whose works have entered the British and international classical concert repertoire. Among his best-known compositions are orchestral works including the Enigma Variations, the Pomp and Circumstance Marches, concertos...
.