Pange lingua (Nella festa del Sanctissimo [Sacramento])

Today is Maundy Thursday. It is called Holy Thursday in the Roman Church.

It commemorates the Washing of Feet, the Last Supper, and the Betrayal of Jesus.

It is a difficult and complex liturgical service, as it turns from an almost a celebratory mood to one of darkness and terror. It is the only time in Lent that the Gloria in excelsis; is sung, often accompanied by the ringing of bells.

Giovanni Battista Fasolo, O.F.M.Conv (Asti, ca. 1598 – Palermo after 1664), was a Franciscan friar, organist and composer.

In his middle years Fasolo was primarily known for his 1645 organ annual, which, like L'organo suonarino of Adriano Banchieri, from the generation before him, was intended for use in small parish churches, and are much simpler than those used in Venice. In 1659 Fasolo became maestro di cappella to the Archbishop of Monreale.

Until recently many of G.B. Fasolo's secular works were attributed to other composers, particularly the Venetian Francesco Manelli, the composer of the first commercial operas in music history, or to a third unknown composer known as "Il Fasolo?".

While "Pange lingua" is sung at the conclusion of the liturgy on Holy/Maundy Thursday, this performance is by no means a "correct" liturgical one.

In liturgical use, after the celebration of the Mass, and before the stripping of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament is carried in procession to the Altar of Repose. Adorned with flowers, it represents the earthly tomb of Jesus.

During this procession, the hymn, "Pange lingua" is sung. The famous text begins with the words:

Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory,
Of His Flesh, the mystery sing;
Of the Blood, all price exceeding,
Shed by our Immortal King,
Destined, for the world's redemption,
From a noble Womb to spring.
Of a pure and spotless Virgin-Born for us on earth below,
He, as Man, with man conversing,
Stayed, the seeds of truth to sow;
Then He closed in solemn order
Wondrously His Life of woe.

A portrait of Fasolo is attached below.