Father Most Holy [SATB] - Book Detail

This octavo provides a full, four-part setting for choir and optional brass and percussion. The keyboard setting, intended for organ, is not usually supportive of the choral parts; it is a genuine accompaniment. The harmony is contemporary, with some dissonance and contemporary harmonic progressions.

Because of the challenging character of this arrangement, it would be best suited for large, skilled choirs. Especially with the suggested instrumental accompaniment, Father, Most Holy would be truly majestic, solemn, and impressive. This arrangement would be appropriate on major feastdays, such as the fifty days of Easter, the Feast of Christ the King, or any important solemnity.

In accord with the liturgical renewal, in harmony with the Constitution on the Liturgy, and in continuity with our ancient tradition, the text of Father, Most Holy is directed to God the Father, giving him praise and glory.

The original, Polish text was a song in honor of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament; such a text would be less appropriate for the liturgy, as we have come to understand it in the past one hundred years.

As is now widely understood, by and large, the liturgy is not directed to Christ; it is, rather, the prayer of Christ, head and members, the prayer of his body, the Church. Especially in the Eucharist, we pray to the Father through Christ. That biblical and patristic orientation is still well represented in the Roman Catholic Mass, in which all the Eucharistic Prayers are directed to the Father through Christ: "through him, with him, and in him," all glory and honor is given to God the Father, forever and ever.

Publisher Comments

Here is the full English text used for this arrangement:

1. Father, most holy, your saints address you;
Your people praise you; your angels bless you.

Refrain. Yours is the Kingdom, great power, great glory.
Lord God, our Father, now and forever.

2. Your stars are shining, in celebration.
You made the heavens, the whole creation. Refrain.

3. You lead; we follow; your flock will hear you.
See, Satan trembles; our foes will fear you. Refrain.

4. We shall be loyal and not betray you.
We pledge our promise: We shall obey you. Refrain.