Prayer of Saint Richard

Use: General
Required Resources: Treble (Soprano) solo, SATB choir, organ
Language: English

Prayer of Saint Richard was composed for the Royal School of Church Music Norfolk and Norwich Area Committee, and first performed at The Diocesan Festival, Norwich Cathedral in June 2002.

The familiar text is from the writings of Saint Richard of Chichester:

Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ,
for all the benefits thou hast won for us;
for all the pains and insults thou hast borne for us.

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,
may we know thee more clearly,
love thee more dearly,
and follow thee more nearly;
and all for thy name's sake.

Saint Richard (1197-1253) was born in Worcestershire, England, the son of a farmer. He was educated in London, Paris and Bologna. He was ordained a priest and became Chancellor of Oxford University; he was also the legal advisor to two sainted Archbishops of Canterbury (Saint Edmund Rich and Saint Boniface of Savoy). Saint Richard was consecrated bishop of Chichester in 1245. He is the patron of coachmen, and several miracles and cures have been attributed to his intercession at the shrine in Chichester.

Mr. Smith sets the saint's words as a verse anthem, wherein a soloist (here a treble) sings a phrase or two of text, accompanied by organ. Afterwards, the SATB choir repeats the text, often a cappella or with very light accompaniment. This is a fine anthem to highlight a young (or even more mature) singer — the range is D to F#. One could also combine the parish youth choir and adult choir in performing this elegant piece.