8th Sunday after Pentecost 2026
Processional hymn: O God, Our Help in Ages Past, 923
Recessional hymn: O God of Loveliness, 881
Kyriale: Mass XI, 740; Credo II, 772
Hymn at the offertory: Salve Mater, Carmelite Chant, arr. Paul Thomas May
Hymn at communion: Gustate et videte, Heinrich Isaac (c.1450–1517)
Salve Mater is a Carmelite hymn composed in the 11th century and exemplifies Mary’s role as Mother of all Christians. The hymn is structured with verses that lead to a refrain. The text of the refrain is: Hail, Mother of mercy, Mother of God and Mother of pardon, Mother of hope and Mother of grace, Mother, full of holy gladness. O Mary!
The communion antiphon is a setting by Heinrich Isaac. The text of the antiphon is from Psalm 33:9: O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. As was the case from last week, the Soprano and Tenor voices have ornamented versions of the Gregorian melody which is common from his communio settings.
Heinrich Isaac (c.1450–1517) was a Renaissance composer from the South Netherlandish region. His output was rivaled only by Orlandus Lassus in number and variety of composition. Most notable of his collections is Choralis Constantinus which contains nearly 400 Gregorian chant based motets of propers for the Mass.