The hymn is based on a long medieval Latin poem, Salve mundi salutare. The last part of the poem, from which the hymn is taken, is addressed to Christ's head and begins "Salve caput cruentatum" The poem was translated into German by the Lutheran hymnist Paul Gerhardt (1607–1676). The hymn was first translated into English in 1752 by John Gambold (1711–1771), an Anglican vicar in Oxfordshire. His translation begins, "O Head so full of bruises". In 1830, an American Presbyterian minister, James Waddel Alexander (1804–1859) made a new hymn translation. Alexander's translation, beginning "O sacred head, now wounded", became one of the most widely used in 19th and 20th-century hymnals.

YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx0UDZONF5U

Salmo responsorial (responsorial psalm) for Domingo 3 Ordinario B - Salmo 24 - Descúbrenos, Señor, tus caminos. Free download of sheet music at the following link. All the psalm verses are available.

https://insong.org/product/domingo-3-ordinario-b-salmo-24-descubrenos-senor-tus-caminos/

LYRICS:
Thank you for your gift of Faith and a share in your suffering In your death in your Life
Deep inside in places unknown, You await, patiently, for me to open -to open more to your Love
Let me serve show me how what to do in everything to do Your Will - I’ll be free - I’ll be free
Please teach me the spirit of poverty, chastity, obedience Devotedly - joyfully
Shepherd me in charity, humility, and solitude So I can be one with You - one with You
You're in control make me whole - burn my soul and
Prune me back let me start to see the sparks - know your Heart
Our Mother pleads to fast and pray like never before
More and more - keep it simple and raise a score for God’s Mercy - for God’s mercy
All your children everywhere near and far are the stars
Of your family - bring us HOME - for Your glory - for Your Glory

Responsorial Psalm 39(40):2,4,7-10 for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

I waited, I waited for the Lord
and he stooped down to me;
he heard my cry.
He put a new song into my mouth,
praise of our God.

Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings,
but an open ear.
You do not ask for holocaust and victim.
Instead, here am I.

Here I am, Lord! I come to do your will.

In the scroll of the book it stands written

I posted this psalm before but left out a strophe(stanza) So I recorded it again.
LYRICS:
                     Psalm 34
I will extol the Lord at all times;
    His praise will always be on my lips.
I will glory in the Lord;
    let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
 
Glorify the Lord with me;
    let us exalt his name together
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.

I wrote the melody and lyrics for this song.

For the first version, David Gomez Sanz recorded electric guitar and synths in 2005, set to my original simple lyrics that were written in 1973 while a student at St. John's University (Collegeville, MN).

For the second version, Paul F. Page created a beautiful piano and flute arrangement, set to expanded lyrics that I wrote in 2009.

Click on "Read Full Story" to see lyrics. 

Originally published 8/13/2022

In our weakness and in troubling times we acknowledge God's daily care and our hope and plea to Him to bring us HOME.

Salmo responsorial (responsorial psalm) para Domingo 2 Ordinario B – Salmo 39 – Aquí estoy, Señor, para hacer tu voluntad. Todos los versos del salmo están disponibles. / Free download of sheet music at the following link. All the psalm verses are available.

https://insong.org/product/domingo-2-ordinario-b-salmo-39-aqui-estoy-senor-para-hacer-tu-voluntad/

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Musica: Anthony Moran © 2019, Catholic Liturgy in Song, insong.org
Texto: Leccionarios I, II y III. © 1987, 2004, Comisión Episcopal de Pastoral Litúrgica de la Conferencia Episcopal Mexicana.

Each month I feature a short story on a Catholic devotional hymn with a short biography on the author, the composer(s), and a short reflection. I have been doing these short write-ups for a couple years.

As part of my series on Catholic hymns, I have chosen a favorite hymn of mine, Mary! How Sweetly Falls That Word. This is a beautiful hymn that honors the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Take a few moments to read about the author and composer of this beautiful Catholic hymn and be sure to share this story with all your friends.

Many of the hymns that I feature are hymns that I sang in St. Mary's Choir (1977-2010) and new hymns that I have added to my repertoire. These hymns have kept me grounded in my Catholic Faith and I turn to them in good times and bad. They are a source of comfort and spiritual nourishment to me, and I hope for you as well. I want to share them with you because some of you may never have heard them. They are prayerful and meaningful with approved texts by the Catholic Church.

Please visit my website Mother of Mercy Catholic Hymns and click on HYMN OF THE MONTH.

I am reading Jesus of Nazareth- Holy Week -  a second time by Pope Benedict. For anyone who has not read it, I highly recommend it. It was through His humanity - His humility, His obedience and His laying down His human life for us, as the second Adam, that he waged spiritual warfare and defeated Satan and won for us salvation/Eternal Life. This victory was won with the close collaboration of the new Eve as St. Irenaeus and many other Church fathers have pointed out. I wrote this song after pondering this. I pasted the lyrics before and now I have uploaded the song successfully.
LYRICS
    A JOYFUL BATTLE CRY
Let everyone exult and sing
Before our gracious Queen and King
The New Adam and Eve

Responsorial Psalm 71(72):1-2,7-8,10-13 for the Epiphany of the Lord

All nations shall fall prostrate before You, O Lord.

O God, give Your judgement to the king,
to a king’s son Your justice,
that he may judge Your people in justice
and Your poor in right judgement.

All nations shall fall prostrate before You, O Lord.

In His days justice shall flourish
and peace till the moon fails.
He shall rule from sea to sea,
from the Great River to earth’s bounds.

All nations shall fall prostrate before You, O Lord.

"Be Thou My Vision" (Old Irish: Rop tú mo baile or Rob tú mo bhoile) is a traditional Christian hymn of Irish origin. The words are based on a Middle Irish poem that has traditionally been attributed to Dallán Forgaill probably from the six century
The best-known English version, with some minor variations, was translated in 1905 by Mary Elizabeth Byrne, then made into verse by Eleanor Hull and published in 1912. Since 1919 it has been commonly sung to an Irish folk tune, noted as "Slane" in church hymnals, and is one of the most popular hymns in the United Kingdom. There have been many variations in the lyrics over the years

Below are the lyrics most commonly used. The lyrics in bold type I added.

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
All in thy glory, and glory thou art -
thou my best thought, in the day and the  night;

Responsorial Psalm 66(67):2-3,5,6,8 for Mary, the Holy Mother of God

O God, be gracious and bless us.

O God, be gracious and bless us
and let Your face shed its light upon us.
So will Your ways be known upon earth
and all nations learn Your saving help.

O God, be gracious and bless us.

Let the nations be glad and exult
for You rule the world with justice.

How easily we can become blind in our youthful pride  and how this contributed ( we the baby boomers) to the sexual "revolution" of the sixties and how God intervened in personal lives and some responded to His merciful Love

As we approach the solemnity of the Holy Family it is good to ponder the marriage of Mary and Joseph.

Responsorial Psalm 104(105):1-6,8-9 for the Holy Family, Year B

He, the Lord, is our God. He remembers his covenant for ever.

Give thanks to the Lord, tell his name,
make known his deeds among the peoples.
O sing to him, sing his praise;
tell all his wonderful works!

He, the Lord, is our God. He remembers his covenant for ever.

Be proud of his holy name,

                   UNASSUMING ONE      
   1)You heard, knew, and read
   2)Of the ancient fall what scripture said
   1)And the promise of the Holy One 
   2)Who would restore the human race 
   2)From it fall from grace
1) No one had a greater desire than you
2) Your heart’s pure prayer humble and true
1) More than all nature and men combined
2)Your prayer moved God to send His Holy one 
1)Your heart’s pure prayer contained 
2)All the cries and hopes of our race

Responsorial Psalm 88(89):2-5,27,29 for the 4th Sunday of Advent, Year B

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord;
through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth.
Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever,
that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord.

‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
I have sworn to David my servant:
I will establish your dynasty for ever
and set up your throne through all ages.