The Mass For Blessed Charlemagne

I wanted to share what the text is for this Mass and even the Office For The Liturgy Of The Hours, it is interesting, from the Schola Carolina Aachen First, About The Mass "The »Graduale Arnoldi« manuscript (Ms. G 13) in the Aachen Cathedral archives, so-called after its donator, a canon of Aachen, created in ca. 1200 and kept in Aachen, contains the oldest known transcript of the proprium chants of the Karlsmesse »In virtute tua«. A Graduale contains the chants of the Holy Mass. The orations and the texts to be read from the Holy Scripture on the Feast of Charlemagne, relating to the Divine Office and Holy Mass, are handed down in the form of ordinals, a psalter, a collectary, an epistolary and the »Florentine Missal« of the Church of St. Mary in Aachen. There are only few melodic variants in the different manuscripts of the Karlsmesse found in the Aachen Cathedral archives. Both ordinary and extraordinary form of the Roman Rite today use the common Mass of a Confessor »Os justi« instead.

The proprium chants of the Mass consist of Introitus (opening chant), Graduale (Latin: gradus = step (to the ambo)), Hallelujah Verse or Tract (Tract after Septuagesima (Pre-Lenten and Lenten seasons) - then the Hallelujah-Verse omitted), Sequence, Offertorium (sacrifice offering chant), Communio (Communion chant). The Karlsmesse sequences and the three Karlsmesse orations (prayers for the day) are created especially for this feast. The remaining chants, also anonymously composed, and existing since time immemorial for other saints’ feast days, are combined here in a new way to evoke the stature of Charlemagne, behind whose image, however, Christ himself ultimately appears. The leitmotif of the Karlsmesse is provided by Psalm 21, a »royal psalm«, which originally belongs to the preexilic Jerusalem Temple Cult and the ritual of the royal court in Jerusalem. Significant here is the key linear connection, which is established between the Old Testament Kingdom of the Israelites and the Christian sublime sacral Medieval Empire (»conregnator Christi«), both of which have their transcendental origin in God. The texts of Psalm 21 praise a clever, wise, god-fearing, just yet merciful ruler, strong of faith, a king chosen by God, who partakes in God’s work of salvation on earth. Charlemagne thus bears a precious, earthly and – by the same token – heavenly crown. His kingdom represents a source of blessing for all, which is the reason for praise and thanks on the part of the faithful. The just king also appears as intercessor and intermediary before the Lord, as expressed in the three orations of the Karlsmesse. The statement linking all the Karlsmesse texts is that of the correct way to experience and live based on faith, expressed in the metaphor of light. The Gospel pericope is taken from the Mass service for the former Roman officer and St. Bishop and confessor Martin of Tours (ca. 316-397), the patron saint of the Merovingian Franconian Empire, whose cape (Latin: cappa) is part of the crown jewels of Frankish kings since the Merovingian period.

The »Graduale Arnoldi«, which does not make reference yet to the Feast of Corpus Christi first celebrated in Liège in 1246, also contains the oldest hand-written evidence of the famous Karlssequenz »Urbs Aquensis, urbs regalis«. The structure and melody of this sequence bears a strong similarity to the Corpus Christi sequence »Lauda Sion« composed subsequently as well as the sequence on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross »Laudes crucis attolamus« contained in the same manuscript. The latter is probably the common template of the first two mentioned. In contrast to the text of the traditional Gregorian Chant, sequences represent rewritings. Their wording is thus not taken from the Holy Scripture. The sequence (Latin: sequentia = sequence, basic musical form: aabbcc etc.) is originally the Latin wording of the often extremely drawn-out final melisma of the Hallelujah verse, the so-called »Jubilus«. It develops into a separate genre within the Mass of important feasts. The Karlssequenz »Urbs Aquensis, urbs regalis« is probably created in Aachen as early as the period between 1165 and 1170, i. e. directly following the canonisation of Charlemagne. Together with its jubilant canticle of the entire church to the city of Aachen and – in particular – to its founder Charlemagne, it belongs to the musical highlight of the Karlsmesse and claims top place amongst all the hymns and sequences composed to the Emperor Saint. As a variation of the first verse, it is also sung in Zurich and Frankfurt am Main.

The text of the Karlssequenz for the Octave celebration »In Karoli magni laude« probably has its origin in Aachen. The melody is a variant of the Marian sequence widespread in Europe »Hodierne lux diei« from the 11th century that is also created in Aachen. Significant here is the manifest musical-textual connection between Charlemagne and Mary, Mother of God, in whose honour he has built the Palatine Chapel in Aachen. In this sequence, the praising community is particularly circumscribed and emphasised: it is the Aachen »Regalis Ecclesia«. The oldest known transcript of the Karlssequenz »In Karoli magni laude» for the Octave celebration is also to be found in the »Graduale Arnoldi«. The newly composed chants for the Karlsmesse are sung on the audio recording corresponding to this manuscript.

Nach oben

Text: © Dr. Michael Tunger 2013 Photo: © Edition SINFONIA SACRA e.V.: Karlsmesse in Aachen 2014" Charlemagne Office " Rhymed offices, such as the Karlsoffizium »Regali natus« are poetic-musical artworks for liturgy. In rhythm and rhyme, they contain composed antiphons, responsories and hymns of the Divine Office, the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours, without the already established psalms and cantica sung with their traditional tones. The Divine Office (Latin officium = the duty (for Church's prayer for clerics and members of religious orders)) on high feasts usually consists of the following fixed liturgical hours of the day or night: 1st Vespers, Compline, Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, 2nd Vespers, Compline. Rhymed offices emerge between the 9th and 16th centuries, enjoying their artistic heyday in the 13th century. The liturgical use of rhymed offices is abolished with the introduction of the »Breviarium Romanum« (Roman Breviary) following the Council of Trent (1545-1563) in 1570.

In relation to the Karlsoffizium »Regali natus«, this regulation does not affect Aachen because the Feast of Charlemagne is not registered in the liturgical Roman Calendar of Saints. The city is an early centre of the rhymed office art form. The oldest example of the rhymed office created to venerate Charlemagne after his canonisation (1165) including the Karlshymnus (Charlemagne Hymn) »O rex, orbis triumphator« is to be found in the so-called »Antiphonary of Franco« (Ms. G 20), which is now in the Aachen Cathedral archives. An antiphonary (or antiphonal) contains the chants of the Divine Office. The precious manuscript dates back to the second half of the 13th century and is probably donated by Magister Franco, who according to a book of the dead from the Aachen Church of St. Mary died on 10th May 1318. The manuscript presents the liturgical music of Aachen in »Hufnagel«-notation with elaborate initials and characters. The »Hufnagel«-notation is named after the stylised horseshoe nail-shaped notes or neums that develop when annotating the Gregorian Chant – particularly in the Netherlands and Germany during the Gothic period. The manuscript is a magnificent witness to the flourishing culture of what is incorrectly denoted as the »dark« Middle Ages.

How musical criteria show, the Karlsoffizium »Regali natus« is created in the final quarter of the 12th century in Aachen. The creators of the text and music are unknown. In terms of its language and music, it may be counted as one of the artistically most important examples of rhymed office. As it is a biographical office, it can also be characterised as a »Historia rhythmica«: the first and second Vespers form the framework depicting Charlemagne’s path through life. His character and deeds are the theme of the intermediate liturgical hours, justifying his presence as a saint in heaven. The Karlsoffizium draws its strength from the hagiography written anonymously probably in Aachen relating to the canonisation of Charlemagne with the title »De sanctitate meritorum et gloria miraculorum beati Karoli magni ad honorem et laudem nominis Dei« - »On the holiness of the merits and the glory of the miracles of St. Charlemagne for the honour and praise of the name of God«. The legends and miracles woven around the person of Charlemagne described here are depicted on the roof relief of the 1215 Shrine of Charlemagne in Aachen Cathedral in great detail.

The Karlsoffizium is sung at that time in Aachen at all feasts of the Münster, at the church consecration and at Feasts of St. Mary’s. Its dissemination coincides with the area of Charlemagne’s veneration. In Aachen, it is identified in an antiphonary of the Münster as late as 1778. It only fell into disuse in the era of Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821). Other important areas of the veneration of Charlemagne were or are the following dioceses and locations: Basle, Bremen, Bruges, Frankfurt am Main, Halberstadt, Hildesheim, Cologne, Carniola, Liège, Mainz, Metz, Minden, Münster, Osnabrück, Paderborn and Tournai. Apart from Aachen, manuscripts containing both the Karlsoffizium and the Karlsmesse (together with the Karlssequenz) are to be found in Andernach, Basle, Brno, Brussels, Charleville, Einsiedeln, Frankfurt am Main, Gars, Gerona, Halle, Cologne, Lübeck, Maastricht, Metten, Minden, Münster, Passau, Sion, Zurich and elsewhere. Although a centre to venerate Charlemagne develops in Saint-Denis near Paris from as early as the 11th century, the dissemination of the Karlsoffizium in France did not occur until much later. There King Louis XI (1423-1483) introduces the veneration of Charlemagne in the 15th century. From then until the French Revolution, the 28th January was a feast day. In the Spanish city of Gerona, the Karlsoffizium is sung since 1345 and remains in use there until the Council of Trent. Cistercian and Benedictine monks also hand down the Karlsoffizium.

Nach oben

Text: © Dr. Michael Tunger 2013 Photo: © Michael McGrade, Hudson MA: Aachen, Domarchiv, Handschrift G 20, f. 25r: Karlsoffizium »Regali natus« The Actual Mass Text For Blessed Charlemagne! " MISSA IN FESTO BEATI KAROLI MAGNI IMPERATORIS ET CONFESSORIS (KARLSMESSE)

Introitus (Psalmus 21, 2-3) In virtute tua, Domine, laetabitur justus, et super salutare tuum exsultabit vehementer: desiderium animae ejus tribuisti ei. (Psalmus 21, 6) Magna est gloria ejus in salutari tuo, gloriam et magnum decorem impones super eum. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Oratio propria Dominus vobiscum. Et cum spiritu tuo. Oremus. Deus, qui superabundanti fecunditate bonitatis tuae beatum Karolum magnum imperatorem et confessorem tuum, deposito carnis velamine beatae immortalitatis trabea sublimasti: concede nobis supplicibus tuis, ut quem ad laudem et gloriam nominis tui honore imperii exaltasti in terris: pium ac propitium intercessorem mereamur habere in caelis. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus: per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Lectio (Liber Ecclesiasticus 14, 2. 15, 3-4; 6) Lectio Libri Sapientiae. Beatus vir, qui in sapientia morabitur, et qui in justitia meditabitur, et in sensu cogitabit circumspectionem Dei. Cibavit illum pane vitae et intellectus, et aqua sapientiae salutaris potavit illum. Et firmabitur in illo, et non flectetur: et continebit illum, et non confundetur. Et exaltabit illum apud proximos suos, et nomine aeterno haereditabit illum: Dominus Deus noster.

Graduale (Psalmus 21, 4-5) Domine, praevenisti eum in benedictionibus dulcedinis: posuisti in capite ejus coronam de lapide pretioso. (Versus) Vitam petiit, et tribuisti ei longitudinem dierum in saeculum saeculi.

Tractus (Psalmus 112, 1-3) [nach Septuagesima; das Alleluja mit Vers entfällt dann] Beatus vir, qui timet Dominum: in mandatis ejus cupit nimis. Potens in terra erit semen ejus: generatio rectorum benedicetur. Gloria et divitiae in domo ejus: et justitia ejus manet in saeculum saeculi.

Alleluja-Versus (Psalmus 21, 2) Alleluja, alleluja. Domine, in virtute tua laetabitur rex: et super salutare tuum exsultabit vehementer.

Sequentia 1. Urbs Aquensis, urbs regalis, Regni sedes principalis, Prima regum curia. Regi regum pange laudes, Quae de magni regis gaudes Karoli praesentia.

2. Iste coetus psallat laetus, Psallat chorus hic sonorus Vocali concordia. At dum manus operatur Bonum, quod cor meditatur, Dulcis est psalmodia.

 3. Hac in die, die festa, Magni regis magna gesta Recolat, Ecclesia. Reges terrae, et omnes populi, Omnes simul plaudant Et singuli celebri laetitia.

4. Hic est Christi miles fortis, Hic invictae dux cohortis, Ducum sternit milia. Terram purgat lolio, Atque metit gladio Ex messe zizania.

5. Hic est magnus imperator, Boni fructus bonus sator Et prudens agricola. Infideles hic convertit Phanos, deos hic evertit Et confringit idola.

6. Hic superbos domat reges, Hic regnare sacras leges, Facit cum justitia. Quam tuetur eo fine, Ut et justus sed nec sine Sit misericordia.

7. Oleo laetitiae, Unctus dono gratiae Ceteris prae regibus. Cum corona gloriae, Majestatis regiae Insignitur fascibus.

 8. O rex, mundi triumphator, Jesu Christi conregnator, Sis pro nobis exorator, Sancte pater Karole. Emundati a peccatis, Ut in regno claritatis, Nos, plebs tua, cum beatis Caeli simus incolae.

9. Stella maris, o Maria, Mundi salus, vitae via, Vacillantum rege gressus Et ad regem des accessus In perenni gloria.

10. Christe, splendor Dei Patris, Incorruptae fili matris, Per hunc sanctum, cujus festa Celebramus, nobis praesta Sempiterna gaudia. Amen. Alleluja.

Evangelium (Lucas 11, 33-36) Dominus vobiscum. Et cum spiritu tuo. Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam. Gloria tibi, Domine. In illo tempore: Dixit Jesus discipulis suis: Nemo lucernam accendit, et in abscondito ponit, neque sub modio: sed supra candelabrum, ut, qui ingrediuntur, lumen videant. Lucerna corporis tui est oculus tuus. Si oculus tuus fuerit simplex, totum corpus tuum lucidum erit: si autem nequam fuerit, etiam corpus tuum tenebrosum erit. Vide ergo, ne lumen, quod in te est, tenebrae sint. Si ergo corpus tuum totum lucidum fuerit, non habens aliquam partem tenebrarum, erit lucidum totum, et sicut lucerna fulgoris illuminabit te.

Offertorium (Psalmus 21, 4-5) Posuisti, Domine, in capite ejus coronam de lapide pretioso: vitam petiit a te, tribuisti ei.

Secreta [Stillgebet] Hostias tibi, Domine, pro sancti Karoli magni imperatoris et confessoris tui commemoratione deferimus suppliciter exorantes: ut peccatorum indulgentiam, nobisque pariter mentis et corporis conferant salutem. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus: per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Communio (Psalmus 21, 6) Magna est gloria ejus in salutari tuo: gloriam et magnum decorem impones super eum, Domine.

Postcommunio Dominus vobiscum. Et cum spiritu tuo. Oremus. Sanctificet nos, quaesumus omnipotens Deus, sacri corporis et sanguinis tui veneranda perceptio: ut intercedente beato Karolo magno imperatore et confessore tuo, per haec mysteria nostrae salutis, et fidei, in praesenti peccatorum veniam: et in futuro vitam consequi mereamur aeternam. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus: per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Sequentia in Octava 1. In Karoli magni laude Voce, voto, manu plaude, Regalis Ecclesia. Pium lauda confessorem, Legis Dei defensorem Celebri melodia.

2. Imperator Romanorum Exstitit et rex Francorum Dei providentia. Ecclesiam sublimavit, Hanc adjutus gubernavit Divina potentia.

3. Hispaniam subjugavit Sicut gigas, et fugavit Cultum idolatriae. Saxoniam debellavit, Et ad fidem revocavit Idolatras patriae.

4. Matri Christi fecit aedem, Regni sedem, et haeredem, In magnificentia. Quam, a Papa consecratam, Sui facit decoratam Corporis praesentia.

5. Post hoc regnum temporale Regnum capit immortale Cum sanctis in patria. Hoc imploret princeps iste, Ut regnare tecum, Christe, Possimus in gloria.

6. Amen, dicat iste chorus, Ut corona sit decorus In caelesti curia. Chorus iste dicat Amen, Ut jucundum post examen Decantet Alleluja." I'm sad to say, no one has recorded this Traditional Latin Mass for Charlemagne and uploaded it to Youtube yet, I just searched and no such Mass on Youtube. 1 Good Thing, Blessed Dom Prosper Gueranger never forgot him, but today, in the New Calendar, now the bad, Charlemagne and his co-blessed who remembered him, are forgotten, except by a few people, I'm one of them, see my post on today: Blessed Feast To My 1st Cousin Of 57 Generations! Let us close with the prayer by Blessed Dom Gueranger to Blessed Charlemagne " Prayer to Charlemagne “Hail, O Charles, beloved of God, Apostle of Christ, defender of His Church, protector of justice, guardian of good customs, terror of the enemies of the Christian name! “The tainted diadem of the Caesars – purified by the hands of Leo – sits on your august forehead; the globe of the Empire rests in your vigorous hand; the ever-victorious sword in your combats for Our Lord is sheathed at your waist, and on your forehead the imperial anointing was added to the royal unction by the hand of the Pontiff who consecrated you and confirmed your authority. As the representative of the figure of Christ in His temporal Royalty, you desired that He would reign in you and through you.

“Now God rewards you for the love you had for Him, for the zeal you displayed for His glory, for the respect and confidence you showed toward His Spouse. In exchange for an earthly kingship, transitory and uncertain, you enjoy now an immortal kingdom where so many million of souls, who by your hands escaped idolatry, today honor you as the instrument of their salvation.

“During the days of celebration of the birth of Our Lord by Our Lady, you offered to them the gracious temple you built in their honor (the Basilica of Aix-la-Chapelle), and which is still today the object of our admiration. It was in this place that your pious hands placed the newborn garment worn by her Divine Son. As retribution, the Son of God desired that your bones should gloriously rest in the same place to receive the testimony of the veneration of the peoples.

“O glorious heir to the three Magi Kings of the East, present our souls before the One who wore such a humble garment. Ask Him to give us a part of the profound humility you had as you knelt before the Manger, a part of that great joy that filled your heart at Christmas, a part of that fiery zeal that made you realize so many works for the glory of the Infant Christ, and a part of that great strength that never abandoned you in your conquests for His Kingdom.

“O mighty Emperor, you who of old was the arbiter of the whole European family assembled under your scepter, have mercy on this society that today is being destroyed in all its parts. After more than a thousand years, the Empire that the Church placed in your hands has collapsed as a chastisement for its infidelity to the Church that founded it. The nations still remain, troubled and afflicted. Only the Church can return life to them through the Faith; only she continues to be the depositary of public law; only she can govern the powerful and bless the obedient.

“O Charles the Great, we beseech you to make that day arrive soon when society, re-established at its foundations, will cease asking liberty and order from the revolutions. Protect with a special love France, the most splendid flower of your magnificent crown. Show that you are always her king and father. Put an end to the false progress of the faithless empires of the North that have fallen into schism and heresy, and do not permit the peoples of the Holy Empire to fall prisoner to them. Amen.”