The Solemn Reproaches, also known as the Improperia, are a series of antiphons sung during Good Friday services, expressing God’s lament over humanity’s sins and their role in the crucifixion of Jesus. They highlight God’s acts of salvation contrasted with humanity’s betrayal, typically culminating in the refrain “Popule meus, quid feci tibi?” which means “O my people, what have I done to you?”
Thank you for posting this wonderful, traditional chant that has been sung for many centuries during the Good Friday Liturgy while the people, one by one reverence the Holy Cross.
It is the voice of Jesus, complaining about our ingratitude, after he has shown such love to us for so long.
“My people, what have I done to you?
Or how have I offended you?
Answer me.”
The melody is profoundly moving, and the words are so profound
lepanto
April 18, 2025 5:24 pm
De Victoria set the chant to a beautiful polyphony.
God has always been thought of as male until recent times. To deny that is sad. “Haunting beauty” pales in comparison to our Heavenly Father lamenting. Below is a link to the male perspective.
I am very traditional in my faith and my beliefs. But “traditional” Catholics and Christians and their never ending judgment and harping get on my last nerve. I suggest you go and enjoy what you believe to be of value. You do not have to listen to what I posted. And inductive reasoning is not of value in this instance. It’s a helluva leap to infer from my choice of music that I somehow am making a statement about God and gender.
I wish everyone to have a prayer filled and meaningful Good Friday. That’s really all that I intended with this post.
my you’re a tender flower. If you can’t take someone asking a question and stating an opinion that differs from yours, triggering your bitterness, then you should stop posting a blog. If that’s what you consider “deliberately poke at me” then get thicker skin…it is not difficult. I will pray for you.
We adore you O Lord, and we praise you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen
Ma McGriz
April 18, 2025 10:43 pm
Wow.
Thank you, Menagerie, for this beautiful post.
And thanks to the other Treepers for their contributing posts and insights.
It’s very moving, and especially poignant when one considers how many hundreds upon hundreds of years some of it has been in existence and how many millions of souls have been touched by this sacred music.
Best wishes to all who share the blessedness of faith in the love and unfailing promises of our Risen Savior.
jb
April 18, 2025 11:03 pm
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
Patricia Clouse
April 18, 2025 11:34 pm
This is a beautiful testimony to God’s continuing love…so beautiful….
Thank you for sharing.
Intense
April 19, 2025 12:03 am
In childhood at the Primitive Baptist church we always sang A cappella. There has never been a musical instrument in our family church. My Grandmother once told the family that she dreamed in A cappella. One of the most important memories of childhood was my Dad singing Amazing Grace A cappella.
I think my favorite song to hear A capella is Were You There.
Chiral
April 19, 2025 7:43 am
. I was looking for this, specifically. TY I shall be at PM vigil.
trusting Jesus
April 19, 2025 10:03 am
Wish I had seen this yesterday. I’ve been dealing with a rotten cold and wasn’t able to attend the Good Friday service. I did tune in to EWTN and did some extra praying. I also watched Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s wonderful Good Friday presentation (in black & white) that they aired. He was such a wonderful orator, preacher; we are blessed to have his teachings available to us through the wonders of technology. Happy Easter to all Treepers!
👍
The Solemn Reproaches, also known as the Improperia, are a series of antiphons sung during Good Friday services, expressing God’s lament over humanity’s sins and their role in the crucifixion of Jesus. They highlight God’s acts of salvation contrasted with humanity’s betrayal, typically culminating in the refrain “Popule meus, quid feci tibi?” which means “O my people, what have I done to you?”
Just returned from singing the Improperia followed by Crux Fidelis, faithful cross, with my choir. Very emotional service.
Great and Holy Friday
The Lamentations
This one is in Greek and Arabic.
There are other videos in English.
There are online broadcasts of this service taking place now and later this evening.
Beautiful.
Thank you. This was wonderful.
Thank you for posting this wonderful, traditional chant that has been sung for many centuries during the Good Friday Liturgy while the people, one by one reverence the Holy Cross.
It is the voice of Jesus, complaining about our ingratitude, after he has shown such love to us for so long.
“My people, what have I done to you?
Or how have I offended you?
Answer me.”
The melody is profoundly moving, and the words are so profound
De Victoria set the chant to a beautiful polyphony.
In English translation
Victoria’s “Popule meus” in the original Latin
They are all moving and lovely.
to truly be “traditional”, a man should be chanting this not a woman????
I thought more of the haunting beauty, and less of “tradition.”
God has always been thought of as male until recent times. To deny that is sad. “Haunting beauty” pales in comparison to our Heavenly Father lamenting. Below is a link to the male perspective.
I am very traditional in my faith and my beliefs. But “traditional” Catholics and Christians and their never ending judgment and harping get on my last nerve. I suggest you go and enjoy what you believe to be of value. You do not have to listen to what I posted. And inductive reasoning is not of value in this instance. It’s a helluva leap to infer from my choice of music that I somehow am making a statement about God and gender.
I wish everyone to have a prayer filled and meaningful Good Friday. That’s really all that I intended with this post.
My goodness…talk about being being judgmental…take a chill pill sister. Your bitterness has gotten the best of you.
I tend to react that way when people deliberately poke at me then go “ Oh my gosh, you were bitter!”
my you’re a tender flower. If you can’t take someone asking a question and stating an opinion that differs from yours, triggering your bitterness, then you should stop posting a blog. If that’s what you consider “deliberately poke at me” then get thicker skin…it is not difficult. I will pray for you.
Bye…
Thanks be to God.
We adore you O Lord, and we praise you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. Amen
Wow.
Thank you, Menagerie, for this beautiful post.
And thanks to the other Treepers for their contributing posts and insights.
It’s very moving, and especially poignant when one considers how many hundreds upon hundreds of years some of it has been in existence and how many millions of souls have been touched by this sacred music.
Best wishes to all who share the blessedness of faith in the love and unfailing promises of our Risen Savior.
Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.
This is a beautiful testimony to God’s continuing love…so beautiful….
Thank you for sharing.
In childhood at the Primitive Baptist church we always sang A cappella. There has never been a musical instrument in our family church. My Grandmother once told the family that she dreamed in A cappella. One of the most important memories of childhood was my Dad singing Amazing Grace A cappella.
I think my favorite song to hear A capella is Were You There.
. I was looking for this, specifically. TY I shall be at PM vigil.
Wish I had seen this yesterday. I’ve been dealing with a rotten cold and wasn’t able to attend the Good Friday service. I did tune in to EWTN and did some extra praying. I also watched Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s wonderful Good Friday presentation (in black & white) that they aired. He was such a wonderful orator, preacher; we are blessed to have his teachings available to us through the wonders of technology. Happy Easter to all Treepers!