02 April 2010

The reproaches

The Roman Missal calls for the chanting of the reproaches during the veneration of the Cross. For years I have wanted to hear this done, but - until now - I have been unable to do so.

I'm delighted that the choirs of my two parishes will be chanting them this evening as we venerate the cross.

The beautiful and moving text of the reproaches follows:

My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!

I led you out of Egypt, from slavery to freedom,
but you led your Savior to the cross.

My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!

Holy is God!
Holy and strong!
Holy immortal One, have mercy on us!

For forty years I led you safely through the desert.
I fed you with manna from heaven
and brought you to a land of plenty;
but you led your Savior to the cross.

Holy is God!
Holy and strong!
Holy immortal One, have mercy on us!

What more could I have done for you?
I planted you as my finest vine,
but you yielded only bitterness:
when I was thirsty you gave me vinegar to drink,
and you peirced your Savior with a lance.

Holy is God!
Holy and strong!
Holy immortal One, have mercy on us!

For you sake I scourged your captors and their firstborn sons,
but you brought your scourges down on me.

My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!

I led you from slavery from freedom
and drowned your captors in the sea,
but you handed me over to your high priests.

My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!

I opened the sea before you,
but you opened my side with a spear.

My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!

I led you on your way in a pillar of cloud,
but you led me to Pilate's court.

My people, what have I done to you?
How have I offended you? Answer me!
The reproaches are especially powerful if remembered tomorrow evening during the Service of Light at the beginning of - what Saint Augustine called - "the mother of all holy vigils" which bears much of the Old Testament foreshadowings mentioned in the reproaches.

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:51 AM

    Father,

    I first encountered The Reproaches at St. Francis de Sales Oratory in St. Louis last year. I have since then been bewildered as to why we don't do them any more. Usually it is "Were You There?" or something like that which is sung.

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  2. I first encountered an excerpted version of the reproaches in the text our Stations of the Cross. I thought it was powerful. (Since then we have new SoC booklets, and I had forgotten about it.) I'd love to hear your choirs.

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