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Use: General
Required Resources: SATB choir
Language: Latin
This motet is based on the text and the Gregorian melody for the Introit for the Common of Doctors of the Church:
In medio Ecclesiæ aperuit os ejus;
et implevit eum Dominus spiritus sapientiæ, et intelluctus:
stolam gloriæ unduit eum.
Bonum est confiteri Domino:
et psalere nomini tuo, Altissime.
Translation:
In the midst of the Church, she [Wisdom] shall open his mouth,
and shall fill him with the spirit of wisdom and understanding
and shall clothe him with a robe of glory. [Sirach 15:5]
It is good to give praise to the Lord:
and to sing to thy name, O Most High. [Psalm 92:2]
It can also be found as the Responsory for Evening Prayer II for the Common of Doctors of the Church.
In a short rondo form [ABACA], the motet uses the " In medio … os ejus" text as a repeated section, between which are set two-part portions for SA and TB voices.
The music, of limited difficulty and comfortable ranges, makes frequent use of the chant melodies in a metrical form, except for the incipit, which is a direct quote from the Gregorian introit.
In medio Ecclesiæ was written for The Rev. James R. DeVeise, Jr, on the occasion of his ordination, which was celebrated on June 27, the Memorial of Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.
Hence the quote from this particular Introit.
The motet has broader use, however; consider any celebration with a ministerial theme.
The notion of "New Evangelization" could certainly be promoted with this Old Testament text.
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