The First Encyclical?

by Gary Penkala

The First Letter of Saint Peter is addressed to the Gentiles in Asia Minor, as an encouragement to remain faithful to the Gospel amid threats of persecution and a hostile environment. From Saint Irenaeus in the late 2nd century until the present day, substantial evidence exists that the letter was indeed written by Simon Peter the Apostle, the brother of Andrew.

There is also considerable research purporting different authorship. Some suggest a late 1st century disciple of Peter, because of the elevated Greek style, foreign to a Galilean fisherman. Others ascribe it to a "secretary" Sylvanus or even to Paul or Mark.

If, though, the evidence concludes a Petrine authorship, that would make this letter, read during Eastertide of Year A, the first encyclical (a circular letter) written by the first pope. Composers have frequently turned to this "encyclical" for choral texts. Here is some of their work:

Jan Bender (1909-1994)

Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Francesco Bianciardi (1570-1607)

Venite, filii, audite me – 1 Peter 3:12 quoting Psalm 34:12-16

William Billings (1746-1800)

Blest be the everlasting God – 1 Peter 1:3-5

Like sheep we went astray – 1 Peter 2:22 quoting Isaiah 53:9

Renzo Bracesco (1888-1982)

Vere languores – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

Denn alles Fleisch, es ist wie Gras – 1 Peter 1:24

William Byrd (1543-1623)

Quis est homo – 1 Peter 3:12 quoting Psalm 34:12-16

Ozéas de Carvalho Lima (b.1984)

Ferido de Deus – 1 Peter 2:22 quoting Isaiah 53:9

Thomas Clark (1775-1859)

I will give thanks to thee, O Lord – 1 Peter 2:7 quoting Psalm 118:22

Like sheep we went astray – 1 Peter 2:22 quoting Isaiah 53:9

R. Evan Copley (b.1930)

Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Lyndon Gehman (contemporary)

Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Charles H. Giffen (b.1940)

The Lord is my strength and my song – 1 Peter 2:7 quoting Psalm 118:22

John Goldwin (1667-1719)

Come, ye children – 1 Peter 3:12 quoting Psalm 34:12-16

Karl Heinrich Graun (1704-1759)

Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

G.F. Handel (1685-1750)

All we like sheep from Messiah – 1 Peter 2:22 quoting Isaiah 53:9

Surely He hath borne our griefs from Messiah – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-5

Richard Hillert (1923-2010)

Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Marc Antonio Ingegneri (1535-1592)

Vere languores – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Stephen Jarvis (1761-1834)

Blessed be the God and Father – 1 Peter 1:3-5

Ferdinand di Lasso (1560-1609)

Oculi Domini super iustos – 1 Peter 3:12 quoting Psalm 34:12-16

Leonardo Leo (1694-1744)

Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Antonio Lotti (1667-1740)

Vere languores – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Simone Molinaro (1565-1615)

Vere languores – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

William Henry Monk (1823-1889)

The Lord is my strength and my song – 1 Peter 2:7 quoting Psalm 118:22

Cristóbal de Morales (1500-1553)

Vere languores – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

James Nares (1715-1783)

The eyes of the Lord – 1 Peter 3:12 quoting Psalm 34:12-16

Ronald A. Nelson (1927-2014)

Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Kent A. Newbury (b.1925)

Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Fabrizio Perone (b.1977)

Vere languores – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Douglas Pew (b.1980)

Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Robert J. Powell (b.1932)

Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Salamone Rossi (1570-1630)

Odecha ki anitani / I thank you that you have answered me – 1 Peter 2:7 quoting Psalm 118:22

John Sheppard (1515-1558)

Laudem dicite Deo – 1 Peter 2:9

Mark Siebert (1926-2005)

Vere languores – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Caleb Simper (1856-1942)

The Lord is my strength – 1 Peter 2:7 quoting Psalm 118:22

Axel Theimer (b.1946)

Vere languores – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Ascanio Trombetti (1544-1590)

Laudem dicite Deo – 1 Peter 2:9

Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611)

Vere languores – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-1876)

Blessed be the God and Father – 1 Peter 1:3-5, 15, 17, 22b, 23a, 24

The face of the Lord – 1 Peter 3:12 quoting Psalm 34:12-16

Healey Willan (1880-1968)

Surely He hath borne our griefs – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Gregorian chant

Vere languores – 1 Peter 2:25 quoting Isaiah 53:4-6

Office of Compline

Brethren, be sober, be vigilant – 1 Peter 5:8-9

Anonymous

Consolamini – 1 Peter 1:25 quoting Isaiah 40:6-8

Article written 29 April 2017