Schola Cantorum Jubilate animated the adoration of the cross at the National Shrine of Ta’ Pinu. The liturgy started at 3.00 pm in silence as a sign of mourning while commemorating the passion and death of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The choir sang the psalm ‘Missier nerħi ruħi f’idejk’ (Portelli) while Leanne Attard led the congregation. ‘Glorja u Tifħir lilek Kristu’ together with the versetto (Portelli) was sung prior to the reading of the Passio in SATB. The reading of the Passio from the Gospel of Saint John was followed by a short homily. During the exposition of the cross the celebrant intoned the ‘Ecce Lignum Crucis’ and the choir responded in plain chant. The choir interpreted the Improperia ‘Popule Meus’ (Palestrina) and ‘Crux Fidelis’ (Portelli) and even ‘Crucem Tuam’ (Bartolucci) during the Adoration of the Cross. ‘O Bone Jesu’ (Palestrina) and ‘Stabat Mater’ were interpreted during the communion. The celebration ended in silence. The organ and the bells remain silent during this day of mourning.
The Paschal Triduum reaches its climax during the Liturgy of Holy Saturday when the Church commemorates the Resurrection of Our Lord.
