{"id":109436,"date":"2025-04-16T14:13:17","date_gmt":"2025-04-16T13:13:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/?p=109436"},"modified":"2025-04-30T10:08:56","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T09:08:56","slug":"two-new-musical-compositions-in-honour-of-the-founder-and-his-legacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lasalle.org\/en\/two-new-musical-compositions-in-honour-of-the-founder-and-his-legacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Two New Musical Compositions in Honour of the Founder and his Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"image_pdf\"PDF<\/span><\/a>\"image_print\"PRINT<\/span><\/a><\/div>

\"\"<\/strong>On 7 April, the Founder’s dies natalis<\/em>, Br. Mario Chiarapini presented to the Brothers of the Generalate, within a moment of prayer, two new compositions, of which he is the author of the text and music, which have just come out of the recording studio.<\/p>\n

The first, entitled Signs of Faith<\/em>, is the hymn for the Signum Fidei<\/em>, which next year will celebrate the 50th<\/sup> Anniversary of the Fraternity’s foundation at the end of the 40th<\/sup> General Chapter in 1976. The World President, Claudio Baez (Chile), had made the request to Brother Mario some time ago, with the aim of celebrating this occasion.<\/p>\n

\u201cI took up the invitation\u201d, says Brother Mario; \u201cit was a matter of focusing in a few verses the essence and present of the spirituality of the Fraternity and, musically, offering a catchy melody that was at the same time youthful, engaging and exciting\u201d. He continues, \u201cafter a few weeks, the inspiration came and it seemed to me to be a success\u201d.<\/p>\n

As the hymn states, the Signum Fidei <\/em>intends to be not only witnesses of the faith, but also \u201csigns of hope … animated by zeal and love … witnesses of the Gospel … heirs of a great gift … together and in association … with De La Salle\u201d, recognised as a father who was always docile before God’s will.<\/p>\n

The second musical product is entitled La Salle Patron<\/em>; it is a song to the Founder written on the occasion of the 75th<\/sup> anniversary of the proclamation of St John Baptist de La Salle as Universal Patron of Educators by Pope Pius XII on 15 May 1950.<\/p>\n

Brother Mario, who has composed several hymns dedicated to the Founder and Lasallian Saints, with this latest composition intended to emphasise precisely the proclamation of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, since the refrain often repeats: \u201cof every teacher, Patron and Master\u201d. \u201cThe difference from the other compositions\u201d, stresses Brother Mario, \u201cstems from my great admiration and true filial love for the Founder, so much so that one day I felt the need to compose something solemn and overwhelming. The anniversary of his proclamation as Universal Patron of Educators seemed to me the appropriate occasion\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cDe La Salle, Patron and Master of every teacher and educator, quoting one of the verses of the hymn, is a ‘father and a sure guide’. He knew how to ‘touch the hearts of children’, he gave them ‘hope and confidence’, he guided them and continues to guide them ‘with gentleness and paternal firmness’, he directs them ‘to great ideals with the audacity of generosity’\u201d, continues Br. Mario explaining and motivating the words he chose for his new musical composition. For every teacher, De La Salle is therefore not only a protector, but also a great model to imitate.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe that hymn can be used during liturgical celebrations as well as in other contexts, such as festivals or Lasallian celebrations of various kinds, accompanied by a simple guitar or several instruments\u201d, adds Br. Mario.<\/p>\n

Br. Mario has also written a polyphonic version of the hymn with organ accompaniment for professional choirs. In this regard, during the Holy Mass on 15 May, which will be celebrated in the Generalate and commemorate the 75th<\/sup> anniversary of the proclamation, the hymn \u201cLa Salle patron\u201d will be performed for the first time.<\/p>\n<\/div>

Download the music and text of the two musical compositions below.<\/p>\n<\/div>

La Salle Patron<\/strong><\/em><\/h2><\/div>
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