'O Magnum Mysterium' - Victoria

This week’s motets consisted of Victoria’s ‘O Magnum Mysterium’ and Poulenc’s ‘Videntes Stellam’. This piece is very typical of Victoria’s highly expressive style, full of mysticism and serious devotion!
The text captures Christ’s self-abasement at the moment of his birth, insofar as that he would allow himself to lie, vulnerable, among common animals; ox and ass. A true mystery indeed.
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​O magnum mysterium, et admirabile sacramentum,
ut animalia viderent Dominum natum, jacentem in praesepio!
Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Jesum Christum.
Alleluia!

O great mystery, and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the newborn Lord, lying in a manger!
Blessed is the virgin whose womb was worthy to bear the Lord, Jesus Christ. Alleluia!