In Paradisum

Notes from the composer: 

This Antiphon is from the Catholic Requiem Mass at the time when the body is carried out of the Church.

The English translation is:
May the angels lead thee into paradise: may the martyrs receive thee at thy coming, and lead thee into the holy city of Jerusalem.
May the choir of angels receive thee, and mayest thou have eternal rest with Lazarus, who once was poor.
(From the Saint Andrew Daily Missal, Bruges, 1957)

This In Paradisum was first sung at the funeral of my twin brother, Peter. I began writing the music the day Peter died. The Geelong, St Mary’s Choir sang this work at Peter’s funeral some days later.

For this composer, the ‘angels’ are all those who assist the dying person and their families at these times of sorrow, anguish and loss. © 2017