Vidoes – 聖庇護十世音樂學院

Promoting the Vocal Music of Fr Áureo Castro

Organizer: Academia de Música São Pio X
Special thanks to:
Catholic Diocese of Macau
St Joseph’s Seminary and Church
The Hong Kong Catholic Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception
Centro Diocesano dos Meios de Comunicação Social
General Director and Project Initiator: Fr João Evangelista LAU Him Sang
Project Director: Basilla SAM
Music Director/Conductor: Dr Viola YUEN
Sound Engineer: CHAN Pui Ching
Sound Engineer Assistant: Crystal YIP
Video: MADLAB Productions, Hong Kong
Logistics: Leona FONG

Parce Domine
https://youtu.be/vAjCkG1Ah4E
Premiere date: 2025/03/09

Senhor, eu não sou digno
https://youtu.be/qKg_C7wDjFA
Premiere date：2025/03/16

“Lord, I am unworthy of Your love,
but deep down, I always long to hear You say ‘I love you.’”

On the second Sunday of Lent, we’d like to share a choral piece “Senhor, eu não sou digno” (“Lord, I am unworthy”) with you.

According to the Gospel, when Jesus decided to go to a centurion’s house to heal his servant, the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8) The Church slightly alters this phrase for use before receiving the Holy Communion at Mass. When the celebrant says, “Behold, the Lamb of God! Behold Him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those who are called to the supper of the Lamb,” the congregation responds by proclaiming, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

As long as we pray with humility and faith, and courageously seek the Lord, often just

Jaculatória
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW5FQJ3saQc
Premiere date：2025/03/23

Scolding, arguing, exclusion, bullying…
Who can heal the wounds in my heart?

On the third Sunday of Lent, we’d like to share a mixed-voice a cappella choral piece, “Pie Jesu”, with you.

Fr Áureo has included the word “Jaculatória” on the song title which is known as “ejaculatory prayer” or “aspiration”. It is a “short prayer” which typically carries a sense of urgency and supplication. It is believed that a devout and holy aspiration will often pierce through the sky and convey our longings directly to the Lord. Within Roman Catholicism, some common ejaculatory prayers include the Jesus Prayer, the Fatima Prayer of the Holy Rosary, Come Holy Spirit, and Eternal Rest.

No matter what adversities and storms we are facing, we long to find a hiding place where our souls can find rest and peace. We can always turn to the Lord, seeking His love and compassion. In calling upon our Lord Jesus, we also express our trust and reliance on Him, believing that He is always there with us, granting us strength and peace.

Cum Inovcavero
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6A5PQ_tRks
Premiere date：202/03/30

“Lord, when we are in distress,
we still look up to You!”

On the fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as “Laetare Sunday”, we’d like to share a choral piece titled “Cum Invocavero”.

When we encounter difficulties in work, finances, material needs and health, do these challenges take away our joy? What is our joy truly based on? The lyrics of this piece come from Psalm 4:2-5, which begins with a call to the Lord. The context is that King David was being pursued by his rebellious son and was hiding in a cave for refuge. Yet, even in such dire circumstances, David’s joy remained because his joy was rooted in the Lord. As we listen to the refrain written by Fr Áureo, we are not filled with sorrow, but with trust, joy and hope in God.

Let us remind ourselves with unwavering faith that true joy comes from our Lord.

Ó Vós Todos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPh2T3y6Qno
Premiere date：2025/04/02

The house of the Heavenly Father is filled with love and light.

Oh, prodigal son, repent and return!

Today, we’d like to share with you a choral piece titled “Ó Vós Todos”. This Portuguese hymn was composed by Fr Áureo in 1956, while he was studying music in Lisbon.

Do we often forget the Lord in our busy lives? Do we overlook the love of the Eucharist? The lyrics express deep respect for the Lord and the sorrow of our indifference to His love. The piece features a beautiful, mournful melody with simple words, helping us to understand the meaning of divine love and inspiring us to repent. We need to return to the presence of our Lord Jesus, reflect on our lives, and rekindle our love for Him to find spiritual nourishment.

Tantum Ergo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fc2YDhg4ztE
Premiere date：2025/04/06

A mystery unfolds in a small piece of bread, where sacrificial love is found.

In receiving this divine sustenance, that love flows through our veins.

On the fifth Sunday of Lent, we’d like to share a two-part choral piece with organ, “Tantum Ergo”.

“Tantum Ergo” is an important Catholic hymn often sung during the Eucharistic Adoration and on the Feast of Corpus Christi to express deep devotion toward the Eucharist. The lyrics are taken from the fifth and sixth stanzas of the hymn “Pange Lingua Gloriosi”, which is usually sung during the Mass on Holy Thursday (the establishment of the Eucharist). The author of “Pange Lingua Gloriosi” is St Thomas Aquinas (1227-1274), a significant theologian and philosopher in medieval Europe. He is best known for his work “Summa Theologica” and is honored as the “Doctor Angelicus” for his remarkable contributions to theology and philosophy.

The simple lyrics of “Tantum Ergo” convey the profound theological truths about the Eucharist. While our senses may not fully comprehend it, Christ is truly and concretely present in the Eucharist. May we, with faith and humble hearts, embrace this sacred mystery and experience the Lord’s presence in our daily lives.

Terra Tremuit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXeElydeOM8
Premiere date：2025/04/09

The time has come, all secrets will be revealed.

Can we face Him with our heads held high?

Today, we’d like to share a mixed-voice A Cappella piece, “Terra Tremuit”.

“Terra Tremuit” is an antiphon of Maundy Thursday and the Offertory for Easter. On Easter day, “Alleluia” is added at the end. This piece foreshadows the events of Good Friday and Easter — the earthquake at Our Lord’s death and Christ’s victory over death and sin. It also symbolizes the signs of the Final Judgment. At the end times, when the Lord returns, the very foundations of the earth will be shaken, and Christ will solemnly judge the humanity’s sins.

Fr Áureo composed the music for this lyrics in 1960, shortly after he returned from his studies in Portugal. His musical style features greater tension and richer colors. The entire piece is powerful, evoking thoughts of God’s wrath, the Lord’s victory over death, the Final Judgment, the fear of sinners, and the glory of the Lord, ultimately returning to peace.

Crucem Tuam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ9tBU18UAo
Premiere date：2025/04/13

The cross was once a tool of execution,

but it has now become a symbol of blessing.

On the sixth Sunday of Lent, also known as “Palm Sunday”, we’d like to share an a cappella piece titled “Crucem Tuam”.

“Crucem Tuam” is a hymn traditionally sung during the Adoration of the Cross on Good Friday. The Cross, the scourge and the crown of thorns in the lyrics not only symbolize the suffering and humiliation that Jesus endured, but also His victory over sin and death. Therefore, the Adoration of the Cross is not just a time to mourn over Jesus’s death; it is also a celebration of His resurrection and redemptive power. Because of the Cross, the world has received hope and joy.

The Gregorian chant melody in the piece is taken from the “Te Deum”. Although there is no harmony or rhythmic accompaniment, it expresses a sense of calm and triumph, echoing the choral parts. True glory often accompanies suffering, reminding us to embrace resilience and courage in the challenges of faith and life.

Passionis et Mortis Domini secundum S. Joannem
https://youtu.be/64yQbO2axew
Premiere date：2025/04/16

“Though harshly treated,
he submitted and did not open his mouth.”
(Isaiah 53:7)

Today, we’d like to share a mixed-voice A Cappella piece, “Passionis et Mortis Domini secundum S. Joannem”.

Starting tomorrow, we will begin a three-day celebration called “Triduum”. This includes the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday), the Celebration of the Lord’s Passion (Good Friday), and the Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday). The Triduum is the most important time in the Catholic Church’s liturgy. It’s a time for repentance and prayer, as we prepare to welcome the resurrection of our Savior with hope.

On Good Friday, we will read the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ from the Gospel of St. John (18:1-19:42) in a dramatic way. This approach helps the message of the Gospel touch our hearts more deeply. The Lectionary may be read by more than one person: the priest taking the part of Christ, a narrator and another reader (which could be a deacon, another priest, or lay reader), with the congregation responding as the crowd. Fr. Áureo wrote music for the crowd’s responses, which the choir will sing in “Passionis et Mortis Domini secundum S. Joannem”.

In this recording, we have chosen to read the entire lectionary and then have the mixed-voice choir sing the parts composed by Fr Áureo, aiming to present the effect of the work as he envisioned. The style of this composition is relatively mature, likely written after his return to Macau. It may have been written for the seminarians and the purpose of liturgy while he was teaching at St. Joseph’s Seminary. Although each verse is short, it conveys great solemnity and power.

The script is adapted from John 18:1-40 (The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St John)
Full text, click here

Surrexit Dominus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWl3htnvxu4
Premiere date：2025/04/20

“When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4)

The Lord Christ has gloriously risen! Today is Easter, and we’d like to share with you a three-part choral piece with organ titled “Surrexit Dominus”.

The Latin text of this piece is perfect for Easter, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is the central to the Catholic faith, emphasizing Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus assures believers that death is not the end but a passage to eternal life with God.

Fr Áureo skillfully conveys the meaning of the lyrics through music. Although this work is in a minor key, the composer marks the score with “Andante gioioso” (joyful walking speed). The piece opens with the organ playing an introduction that starts on a low F-sharp note, gradually ascending in an imitative, progressive form. This sets the stage for the first line of the lyrics – “The Lord is risen from the tomb”.

Next, the three vocal parts of the choir sing the melody using counterpoint techniques. When the music transitions to the second line, “For our sake He was hung on the Cross”, the mood shifts dramatically — the tempo slows down, and the sound descends, as if the Cross is being hoisted and then set on the ground. This creates a vivid musical image. The piece then reaches its climax, where the choir joyfully sings “Alleluia”, intertwining their voices with the organ accompaniment. It ultimately concludes powerfully alongside the organ.

Promoting the Vocal Music of Fr Áureo Castro

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