The Diocese of Raleigh plans to dedicate its new cathedral next year, and it will have its very own hymn.
From CNS:
Michael Accurso wondered what was going on. He received an email inviting him to a meeting, but there were no details about the topic. Only a day and time. “Of course the first thing to go through my head was, ‘I’m being asked to meet with the bishop and the vicar general and he doesn’t say why … am I in trouble?’” he laughed. Turned out he wasn’t in trouble. Instead, he was tasked with a special project: to compose an original hymn for the dedication Mass of Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral. It has been eight months since Msgr. David D. Brockman and Bishop Michael F. Burbidge talked with Accurso, director of sacred music, about the hymn. During that time, he composed — mostly on a piano or organ. He often worked at Sacred Heart Cathedral or his home. He read text from the Magnificat and psalms — examining text that emphasized the name of Jesus and the house of God. Ultimately, he chose Psalm 145 — “I will praise your name forever my king and my God” — for its relationship to the cathedral’s name and historical significance. “Once I had the text selected, I surveyed as many great hymns as I could. YouTube was a great resource,” Accurso told NC Catholics, the magazine of the Raleigh Diocese. “There is a video called ‘Three Hours of the Greatest Traditional Hymns of All Time.’ I reflected on the music of these hymns, what makes them so beloved and memorable and how I could incorporate those elements in my own composition.”
Read more.And get a first sampling of the new hymn below.
And today we celebrate...