In paradisum

Use: General, Funeral
Required Resources: SATB choir, organ
Language: Latin

One of the most beautiful, poetic texts from the Funeral Mass is the antiphon sung during the Final Commendation, In paradisum:

In paradisum deducant te Angeli:
    in tuo adventu suscipiant te Martyres,
    et perducant te in civitatem sanctam, Jerusalem.
Chorus Angelorum te suscipiat
    et cum Lazaro quondam paupere
    æternam habeas requiem.

May the Angels lead you into paradise:
    may the Martyrs come to welcome you,
    and take you to the holy city, Jerusalem.
May choirs of Angels welcome you,
    and with Lazarus who is poor no longer
    may you have eternal rest.

While many musicians may be familiar with the Gregorian chant version of this text, Michael Cox has written a modern setting that is profound and appealing, and certainly within the ability of the average church choir. Dr. Cox is Professor of Music Theory and Composition at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's School of Church Music in Fort Worth, Texas, and is widely published in the choral genre by Hinshaw Music, Morning Star Music Publishers, Belwin-Mills Publishing Corp and H.W. Gray Publishers, among others.

Useful at Funeral Masses, In paradisum can also be sung on any Sunday in November, when the liturgy turns to eschatology (last things), and remembers in a special way the Faithful Departed.