Composer

:

Gregorian Chant

Genre

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Choral

Style

:

Chant

Average_duration

:

4:30

'O Beata infantia' is an antiphon ad processionem, a type of Gregorian chant that is sung during processions. It is believed to have been composed in the 9th century and is dedicated to the Holy Innocents, the children who were killed by King Herod in his attempt to kill the baby Jesus. The antiphon is typically sung during the procession on the Feast of the Holy Innocents, which is celebrated on December 28th. The procession is meant to symbolize the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt to escape Herod's wrath. 'O Beata infantia' is a simple chant that is sung in unison by the choir. It consists of two phrases, each of which is repeated. The first phrase is "O beata infantia, quae meruit habere et gaudium et coronam martyrii" (O blessed infancy, which deserved to have both joy and the crown of martyrdom). The second phrase is "Pro Christo Dominum occumbere" (To die for Christ the Lord). The chant is characterized by its simplicity and its solemnity. It is meant to evoke the tragedy of the Holy Innocents and the sacrifice that they made for their faith. The repetition of the phrases emphasizes the importance of the message and helps to create a sense of unity among the choir. Overall, 'O Beata infantia' is a powerful and moving piece of music that has been sung for centuries. Its timeless message of sacrifice and devotion continues to resonate with audiences today.

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