All Christian Feasts are strange–otherworldly. Perhaps no other Christian Feast is as odd as the Resurrection: we celebrate the murder of an innocent man for our sins, then Him rising from the dead and teleporting from His grave… with a super-upgraded body (it’s my theory that this strangeness of the Paschal Feast has largely prevented its commercialization by businesses, Hollywood, and government. Christmas, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, St. Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, and more, have their secularized forms… but Easter? Not so much except for the treats and stuffed animals. It just ain’t a money maker.)
Combine all that with this strangest of times in world history (the pandemic quarantine), and we’ll all need a shot of what I think is the greatest of Easter hymns: O Filii et Filiae (pronounced: oh-fee-lee-ee-et-fee-lee-aye).
- King’s College’s smashing rendition:
- An epic and meditative version by Patrick Lenk:
- The hymn in its natural habitat (for Holy Mass)!
- Beautiful contemporary rendition:
—
Finally, here are the lyrics; they speak (sing?) for themselves:
| Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. | Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. |
| O filii et filiae,
Rex caelestis, Rex gloriae morte surrexit hodie. R. Alleluia |
Ye sons and daughters of the Lord,
the King of glory, King adored, this day Himself from death restored. R. Alleluia |
| Ex mane prima Sabbati
ad ostium monumenti accesserunt discipuli. R. Alleluia |
All in the early morning gray
went holy women on their way, to see the tomb where Jesus lay. R. Alleluia |
| Et Maria Magdalene,
et Iacobi, et Salome Venerunt corpus ungere R. Alleluia |
Of spices pure a precious store
in their pure hands these women bore, to anoint the sacred Body o’er. R. Alleluia |
| In albis sedens angelus
praedixit mulieribus: In Galilaea est Dominus. R. Alleluia |
The straight’way one in white they see,
who saith, “seek the Lord: but He is risen and gone to Galilee.” R. Alleluia |
| Et Ioannes apostolus
cucurrit Petro citius, monumento venit prius. R. Alleluia |
This they told Peter, told John;
who forthwith to the tomb are gone, but Peter is outrun by John. R. Alleluia |
| Discipulis astantibus,
in medio stetit Christus, dicens: Pax vobis omnibus. R. Alleluia |
That self-same night, while out of fear
the doors where shut, their Lord most dear to His Apostles did appear. R. Alleluia |
| Ut intellexit Didymus
quia surrexerat Iesus, remansit fere dubius. R. Alleluia |
But Thomas, when of this he heard,
was doubtful of his brethren’s word; wherefore again there comes the Lord. R. Alleluia |
| Vide Thoma, vide latus,
vide pedes, vide manus, noli esse incredulus. R. Alleluia |
“Thomas, behold my side,” saith He;
“My hands, My feet, My body see, and doubt not, but believe in Me.” R. Alleluia |
| Quando Thomas vidit Christum,
pedes, manus, latus suum, dixit: Tu es Deus meus. R. Alleluia |
When Thomas saw that wounded side,
the truth no longer he denied; “Thou art my Lord and God!” he cried. R. Alleluia |
| Beati qui non viderunt
et firmiter crediderunt; vitam aeternam habebunt. R. Alleluia |
Oh, blest are they who have not seen
their Lord and yet believe in Him! eternal life awaitheth them. R. Alleluia |
| In hoc festo sanctissimo
sit laus et iubilatio: benedicamus Domino. R. Alleluia |
Now let us praise the Lord most high,
and strive His name to magnify on this great day, through earth and sky: R. Alleluia |
| Ex quibus nos humillimas
devotas atque debitas Deo dicamus gratias. R. Alleluia |
Whose mercy ever runneth o’er;
Whom men and Angel hosts adore; to Him be glory evermore. R. Alleluia |
Holy Smack 