O quam suavis est

Use: General, Eucharistic
Required Resources: SATB choir, tenor solo
Language: Latin

The Office for the new feast of Corpus Christi was written by St. Thomas Aquinas in the thirteenth century when the feast was instituted by Pope Urban IV. The text of this motet for SATB choir and tenor soloist is the Magnificat antiphon for First Vespers of Corpus Christi. It translates: "O how loving is Thy spirit, Lord! To show sweet kindness to Thy children Thou providest the most delicious heavenly Bread; Thou fillest the hungry with good things, and send the haughty rich away empty."

Calvert Shenk sets the text freely, with chant-like rhythm that alternates groups of two and three notes. His mastery of choral sound explores the resources of a cappella singing, from the lowest bass notes, with limited divisi, to the soaring soprano pitches which are always well supported by vocal parts in good range. Two short tenor solo passages divide the three choral sections.

Ideal for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, CNP's setting by Calvert Shenk, Director of Music and Associate Professor at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit, would also make an ideal choral piece during Communion or as a meditation at any Mass.