In 1605 and 1607, William Byrd published two collections of motets which included the famed Communion motet Ave verum corpus (sung frequently by our choir) and the little-known setting of a Latin text from the final verses of the Beatitudes, Beati mundo corde.
Beati mundo corde quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt. Beati pacifici quoniam filii Dei vocabuntur. Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter iustitiam quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
This text is the Communion proper for the Feast of All Saints.
Here is a performance of Beati mundo corde by the
Christ Church Cathedral Choir, conducted by Stephen Darlington.