23rd Sunday After Pentecost
Processional hymn: The King of Love, My Shepherd Is, 874
Recessional hymn: O Jesus Christ, Remember, 941
Kyriale: Mass XI, 740; Credo III, 776
Hymn at the offertory: Adoremus in æternum, Gregorio Allegri
Hymn at communion: Ave Verum Corpus, Chant
Adoremus in æternum is the hymn commonly sung following Benediction. Gregorio Allegri set the hymn refrain for four voices and alternates with plainchant for the verses and doxology (invocation of the Holy Trinity, i.e. Gloria Patri). The text of the refrain is: “Let us adore for ever the most holy Sacrament.”
The prayer Ave Verum Corpus is a short Eucharistic hymn dating from the 14th century and attributed to Pope Innocent VI (d. 1362). During the Middle Ages the prayer was sung at the elevation during the consecration at Mass.
Gregorio Allegri (c.1582–1652) was an Italian composer and vocalist. His compositions garnered the attention of Pope Urban VIII who appointed Allegri as a singer for the Sistine Chapel Choir in 1629. Among his published work, his setting of Miserere Mei (Psalm 50) is the most famous and is still sung at the Vatican every year.