Offertory Antiphon and Motet (O viridissima virga) from Mass of St. Hildegard: Sept 17, 2024

The Offertory antiphon and motet (O viridissima virga) from the Durandus Institute's Mass on the feast of St. Hildegard of Bingen, patroness of our institute, on September 17, 2024. The liturgy was offered according to the traditional Dominican rite. This event was co-sponsored by the Collegium Institute for Catholic Thought & Culture at the University of Pennsylvania.
Audio from Christa Dalmazio, who also directed the musicians for this liturgy. Photos from Miriam Cunningham and Jan Jelski.
A translation of "O viridissima virga":
1. O branch of freshest green,
O hail! Within the windy gusts of saints
upon a quest you swayed and sprouted forth.
2. When it was time, you blossomed in your boughs-
“Hail, hail!” you heard, for in you seeped the sunlight’s warmth
like balsam’s sweet perfume.
3. For in you bloomed
so beautiful a flow’r, whose fragrance wakened
all the spices from their dried-out stupor.
4. And they all appeared in full viridity.
5. Then rained the heavens dew upon the grass
and all the earth was cheered,
for from her womb she brought forth fruit
and for the birds up in the sky
have nests in her.
6. Then was prepared that food for humankind,
the greatest joy of feasts!
O Virgin sweet, in you can ne’er fail any joy.
7. All this Eve chose to scorn.
8. But now, let praise ring forth unto the Highest!