An iconic hallmark of the Catholic faith, St. Peter’s Basilica stands tall in the city of Rome. In April, the dome-shaped icon of the modern Catholic Church housed numerous masses leading up to the pinnacle event of the liturgical calendar, Lent. This Holy Thursday, in particular, an alumnus of Jesuit Dallas received the opportunity to sing the Exultet, a 12-minute chant sung every year on Holy Thursday.
Rev. Frater Jacob Hsieh, O. Praem. sang the Exultet on Easter Sunday in front of Pope Francis on Holy Thursday of this year in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Known by his classmates as Joseph Hsieh ’02, the candidate for the priesthood now studies in Rome in preparation of becoming ordained into the priesthood.
While at Jesuit, Hsieh played flute and piano, and added that he was able to “share my love of classical music here at Jesuit and always received such support and encouragement from my brothers and teachers.” His favorite memories of Jesuit involve the time spent with his closest friends. He elaborated by saying that “the discussion[s] we shared about the things that most matter in life made a huge impact on me. Trying to search for truth, goodness, and beauty with those whom you wish the best for is truly a gift from God.”
To sing as a deacon as the Holy Father, one must submit his name to the priest in charge of the Cappella Giulia, or the choir of the St. Peter’s Basilica that sings all solemn functions of the Vatican chapter. Hsieh explained that “They heard my voice and saw that I could read chant in the practices leading up to my singing the Annuntio Paschae at the Mass of the Epiphany and asked me about a month before Easter if I could sing the Exultet.”
Before the ceremony, Hsieh said he “practiced once with the priest in charge of the Cappella Giulia. I sang the Exultet a couple times through, which takes about 12 or 13 minutes to sing through, before the Easter Vigil.” Hsieh also says that he was very nervous before going up before the mass, but “the moment was so powerful and holy: after starting, you really feel the energy of the piece and the solemnity of the moment. I really gave all that I had and sweated bullets! It was a real grace to sing this piece in front of the whole Church, right next to the high altar of St. Peter’s.”
For the future, Hsieh plans on teaching novices the art of chant at St. Michaels Abbey. He explained that “[his] job will be showing them the beauty in chant and teaching them to pray it with their whole hearts.” On June 27th, 2015, Rev. Hsieh will be ordained. The day also commemorates our Lady of Perpetual Help. His Mass of Thanksgiving will be on the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul two days after his ordination. Rev. Hsieh asks that the community prays for him in the days approaching his ordination.
“I would like to thank Jesuit for all that I received there. It is difficult to be a priest today in the modern world. There are so many temptations and trials that await them: they are such powerful channels of God’s grace that it is no wonder that Satan has a special hatred for them. But the most important thing that I must remember is that the life of a priest is full of joy and happiness, following Christ in a way that especially conforms them to His Fatherly Heart,” said Hsieh.
Below are two of the videos taken at the mass. The first shows Hsieh singing the Gospel at the Chrism Mass on April 2nd (start at 24:00), and the second video shows Hsieh singing the Exultet at the Easter Vigil (start at 18:50).
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Foa6GTFwiwE&w=560&h=315]
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfz_yQGSs0Y&w=560&h=315]
