Voices Found: The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, September 8, VF 18, 36, 117, 130, 136, 138, 152

 

Voices Found: The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John say nothing about Mary's parents.   The earliest known account of her birth is found in the Protoevangelium of James (5:2), an apocryphal text from the late second century, with her parents known as Anne and Joachim. The Protoevangelium of James describes Mary's father Joachim as a wealthy member of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. He and his wife Anne were deeply grieved by their childlessness. (The Lectionary home page)

When babies are born mothers sing! (Patricia Adkins Chiti, founder of the International Foundation Adkins Chiti:Donne in Musica)

Patricia Adkins Chiti, president and founder of Donne in Musica supported Voices Found even before its publication.  At her invitation I presented our work for the St. Brigid Celebrations at the Vatican in 2000 where the Voices Found Sampler was distributed internationally with the blessing of St. John Paul II.  Voices Found was a fully ecumenical collection from its conception.

Two Lessons appointed for this celebration:

1 Samuel 1-20 (Hannah)  and Luke 1:26-38 (Magnificat),  sing of the miracle of birth.  

Rejoice for Women Brave

Voices Found: #18, verses 3 and 4

Rejoice for Hannah, bold; 

she loudly made her plea.

Then God heard her prayer 

and she, exultant, sang of victory.

Refrain

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice, rejoice,

 again, I say rejoice.

Rejoice again, I say rejoice.

Your gracious love divine, 

like Miriam we proclaim.

May we now rejoice 

and with Mary magnify your holy name.

Refrain

Lift up your heart, lift up your voice, rejoice,

 again, I say rejoice.

Rejoice again, I say rejoice.

Words: Lisa Neufeld Thomas

 Music: Mayfair, Frances McCollin (1892-1960)

Magnificat! 

Voices Found # 152

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,

my spirit rejoices in you, O God my savior,

for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:

you, the Almighty, have done great things for me, and holy is your name.

You have mercy on those who fear you from generation to generation.

You have shown the strength of your arm

and have scattered the proud in their conceit,

Casting down the mighty from their thrones and lifting up the lowly.

You have filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty.

You have come to the help of your servant Isreal,

for you have remembered your promise of mercy,

The promise you made to our forebears, to Abraham and his children forever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.  Amen.

Words: the Song of Mary, Enriching our Worship 1, 1998 The Church Pension fund

Music: Melody from Antiphon 17 (Laus Trinitati) by Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) adapted by Lisa Neufeld Thomas 

More songs of Motherly Love

# Verbum Bonum

#36 O mundi domina

#136 Mothers call upon the Maker

#130 I've got a mother in de heaven

#138 I hope my mother will be there

#117 My soul gives glory to my God

#152 The Song of Mary

For more information and performance suggestions please see:

                                                                        

https://www.churchpublishing.org/products/voicesfound2