Franciscan Free Download: Sicut Cervus by St. Agnes High School Concert Chorale

Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity’s song of the Lenten Season is St. Paul, MN St. Agnes High School Concert Chorale’s Sicut Cervus from the cd entitled Porta Coeli. In this Year of Faith until Holy Saturday, we invite you to freely download this sacred hymn. As you long for God’s presence in your lives, be moved like St. Francis to pray the psalms, a source of peace and consolation, with fervent hearts.

Consider purchasing your own cd. Click here.

About Sicut Cervas (Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina c. 1525-1594)

Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks;

So longeth my soul after thee, O God.

Psalm 42:1

Sicut Cervus is one of the most familiar of Palestrina’s motets. It is one of our “classic” motets from the Renaissance Era, as it is a model of imitative polyphony. Every year the students rejoice in singing and hearing the independent lines join forces to create the beautiful harmonies that reflect our longing for God. The psalm text is taken from the first part of the Tract at the blessing of the font on Holy Saturday. (You will frequently find artistic representations of deer (hart) drinking from the waters of the baptismal font.)

About St. Agnes High School Choir Chorale

The Concert Chorale is an auditioned mixed choir of high school students. The Chorale rehearses every day throughout the school year and performs three major concerts; A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols in December, a Sacred Concert during Lent, and a Spring Concert in May. In addition to preparing these three concert events, the chorale leads the student congregation in worship at mass, alternating the weekly liturgy in English and Latin. The Chorale participates every year in the MSHSL local and state competitions, consistently receiving Superior ratings. The Chorale acts as an ambassador for St. Agnes by touring locally, nationally, and abroad. The Chorale traveled to New York City last year to perform Durufle’s “Requiem” at Carnegie Hall. This year the Chorale will end the year with a tour of Chicago, singing at the Church of St. John Cantius in addition to other venues.