Canticum de Passione Domini

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/19649167 w=500&h=281] Watch the video above, sung by the student brothers in Ireland, of the canticle of the Passion of Our Lord. It was revealed to Catherine immediately after her first great ecstasy of the Passion. Our Lady desired Catherine to spread it as a form of prayer and contemplation for the salvation of souls. Below is the text from the canticle which is traditionally chanted by Dominicans on Good Friday. My friends and loved ones draw near to me and stand aloof I am shut up and I cannot come forth mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction and my sweat became like drops of blood falling down on the ground For dogs have compassed me the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me I gave my back to the smiters and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair I hid not my face from shame and from those who spit on me I am feeble and sore broken I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart The soldiers platted a crown of thorns and put it on my head They pierced my hands and my feet I may tell all my bones They gave me poison to eat and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink All they that see me laugh me to scorn they shoot out the lip, they shake the head They look and stare upon me they part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture into your hands I command my spirit redeem me, Lord, God of truth. Remember your servant, O Lord. when you come into your kingdom Jesus cried with a loud voice yielded up the ghost The Mercy of the Lord I will sing for ever Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows He was wounded for our transgressions he was bruised for our iniquities All we like sheep gave gone astray we have turned every one to his own way And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all Awake, why do you sleep, O Lord? arise, and do not cast us off for ever Awake, why do you sleep, O Lord? arise, and do not cast us off for ever Behold, God is my Savior I will trust, and not be afraid We ask you, come to help your servants whom you have redeemed by your perilous blood. V. Have mercy on us, O benign Jesus. R. Who in Thy clemency didst suffer for us. Look down, we beseech Thee, O Lord, on this Thy family for which Our Lord Jesus Christ did not hesitate to be delivered into the hands of the wicked, and suffer the torments of the Cross.