Year of Saint Paul

by Gary D. Penkala

On Saturday, June 28, 2008, at the Basilica of Saint-Paul-outside-the-Walls in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI will inaugurate the worldwide Year of Saint Paul, commemorating the 2000th anniversary of the birth of the saint. The pope, in announcing the Pauline Year, remarked at the basilica:

Dear brothers and sisters, as in early times, today too Christ needs apostles ready to sacrifice themselves. He needs witnesses and martyrs like Saint Paul. Paul, a former violent persecutor of Christians, when he fell to the ground dazzled by the divine light on the road to Damascus, did not hesitate to change sides to the Crucified One and followed Him without second thoughts. He lived and worked for Christ, for Him he suffered and died. How timely his example is today!

And for this very reason I am pleased to announce officially that we shall be dedicating a special Jubilee Year to the Apostle Paul from 28 June 2008 to 29 June 2009, on the occasion of the bimillennium of his birth, which historians have placed between the years 7 and 10 A.D.

It will be possible to celebrate this Pauline Year in a privileged way in Rome where the sarcophagus which, by the unanimous opinion of experts and an undisputed tradition, preserves the remains of the Apostle Paul, has been preserved beneath the Papal Altar of this Basilica for 20 centuries.

It will thus be possible to have a series of liturgical, cultural and ecumenical events taking place at the Papal Basilica and at the adjacent Benedictine Abbey, as well as various pastoral and social initiatives, all inspired by Pauline spirituality.

Furthermore, in every part of the world, similar initiatives will be implemented in the dioceses, shrines and places of worship, by Religious and by the educational institutions and social-assistance centers which are named after Saint Paul or inspired by him and his teaching.

May he deign to guide and protect us in this bimillenial celebration, helping us to progress in the humble and sincere search for the full unity of all the members of Christ's Mystical Body. Amen.

Here are some resources from CNP to help your parish celebrate this special Year of Saint Paul, including two brand new hymn texts from Kathleen Pluth.

Hymn texts

1. Excelsam Pauli gloriam

Suggested tune: Eisenach
other LM (8.8.8.8) tunes: Breslau, Duguet, Dunedin, Erhalt uns Herr, Jesu dulcis memoria, Old Hundredth, Rockingham, Saint Boniface, Tallis Canon, Werner

1. Let all the Church acclaim Saint Paul
   And sing the glories of his call.
   The Lord made an apostle be
   From one who was his enemy.
    
2. The name of Christ set Paul afire
   Enkindling him with great desire;
   And higher these same blazes reached
   When of the love of Christ he preached.
    
3. His merits are forever praised
   For to the heavens he was raised,
   And there, the all-mysterious word,
   That none dare speak, by Paul was heard.
    
4. The Word, like seed sown in a field
   Producing an abundant yield
   Fills heav'nly barns whose stores of grain
   Are tilled and grown on earthly plains.
    
5. The shining of the lamplight gleams
   And drenches earth with heaven's beams.
   The dark of error's night is past;
   The reign of truth has come at last.
    
6. To Christ all glory, and all praise
   To Father and the Spirit raise,
   Who for the nations' saving call
   Gave us the splendor of Saint Paul.
   
   Translation © 2008 Kathleen Pluth. Permission is given for parish use January 24-25, 2009. All other rights reserved.

2. The Conversion of Saint Paul

Suggested tune: Eisenach
other LM (8.8.8.8) tunes: Breslau, Duguet, Dunedin, Erhalt uns Herr, Jesu dulcis memoria, Old Hundredth, Rockingham, Saint Boniface, Tallis Canon, Werner

1. The martyr Stephen met his death
   Forgiveness in his final breath.
   He interceded for them all
   Whose cloaks lay at the feet of Saul.
    
2. The Father, hearing Stephen's prayer,
   Gave gifts for all the Church to share
   When grace and mercy overflowed
   In light upon Damascus Road.
    
3. Then bless the Lord of heart and mind
   Who gives new vision to the blind,
   Whose reign throughout the world extends,
   Whose loving-kindness never ends.
   © 2008 Kathleen Pluth. Permission is given for parish use January 24-25, 2009. All other rights reserved.

3. The Son of Man Has Come to Save

This text, written for use on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, can be found in the booklet, Hymns for the Liturgical Year. The booklet contains 27 new hymn texts by Kathleen Pluth that can be sung to familiar hymn tunes. There are seasonal hymns and hymns for solemnities and feasts of the liturgical year.

4. O First Apostle, Peter, and Blest Apostle, Paul

Dennis DiPaolo has written new hymn texts for the tune Thaxted in the booklet, O Christ, the World's Salvation. The booklet contains 14 new hymn texts for solemnities and feasts of the liturgical year.

CD

Magnus Sanctus Paulus

A brand new CD titled, Magnus Sanctus Paulus has been released by the Music Makers in London. A Meditation on Saint Paul in Words and Music, the CD contains hymns, chants, and anthems sung by the Schola Cantamus, and readings from Saint Paul's letters by The Right Reverend Bernard Longley, Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster.

Processionals

1. May Christ Be Our Life

This processional was inspired by the pilgrimage Basilica of Saint Paul-outside-the-Walls in Rome. It has an English congregational refrain and verses in English, Italian and Latin. What an effective way to unite your liturgies to those of the Pauline Year in Rome!

2. We Should Glory in the Cross

This processional was inspired by pilgrimage Basilica of Santa Croce in Rome. It has an English congregational refrain based on the words of Saint Paul (Galatians 6:14) and verses in English, Italian and Latin. Useful throughout the Pauline Year, this would be most appropriate on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross [Sunday, September 14] or on Holy Thursday.

Anthems

1. We Should Glory in the Cross

This setting of the Introit for Holy Thursday by Rev. Thomas Buffer has a text from Saint Paul's letter to the Galatians. The three-part Renaissance-style counterpoint may be sung by either women or men. This motet dates from the composer's years at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, where it is still a part of the Schola's repertoire on their annual Lenten pilgrimage to the Station Churches of the Eternal City.

2. Corinthians' Prayer

The composer, Stephen McManus, has here set a text from First Corinthians 13 for soloists, children's choir, SATB choir and organ. The lilting strains of Irish fancy permeate the melody of this hymn-like anthem. Simple enough for children to master and enjoy, yet with a four-part harmony that will engage the adult choir as well, Corinthians' Prayer is an ideal vehicle for bringing together various groups in the parish.