Gorzkie żale (Polish pronunciation: [ˈɡɔʂkʲe ˈʐalɛ] Lenten (or Bitter Lamentations) is a Catholic devotion containing many hymns that developed out of Poland in the 18th century. The devotion is primarily a sung reflection and meditation on the Passion of Christ and the sorrows of His Blessed Mother. The devotion consists of a three-part cycle, subdivided into five unique parts. One part of the cycle is held on each Sunday in the period of Lent, including Palm Sunday, and the entire ceremony is held on Good Friday. The devotion originated in Holy Cross Church in Warsaw and from there it spread to whole of Poland.
The Gorzkie Żale devotion originated in the early 18th century in Holy Cross Church in Warsaw, Poland. It was primarily a collection of popular songs and melodies used by people in villages around Warsaw to reflect on the Passion of Christ. In 1707 Fr. Lawrence Benik, CM published a booklet in Polish titled: “Snopek Myrry z Ogroda Gethsemańskiego albo żałosne Gorzkiej Męki Syna Bożego [...] rospamiętywanie,” translated, "A bundle of Myrrh from the Garden of Gethsemane, or the lamentation over the Bitter Passion of the Son of God". Myrrh was one of the gifts the Three Wise Men brought to newborn Jesus as the announcement of the passion and the redemptive death of Christ. This publishing is considered to be the beginning of the devotion. For years this Baroque multi-word phrase was used as title of the devotion. Then, with passing time, a title derived from the first words of the initial song (Gorzkie Żale przybywajcie, serca nasze przenikajcie) was used more frequently. Though the title eventually changed to simply "Gorzkie Żale," the original old-Polish language of the devotion was preserved.[2]
Structure
Fr. Bartholomew Tarlo CM, priest of Holy Cross Parish and first Visitor of Province of Poland acknowledged the importance of this devotion, which featured melodies on the Passion of Christ. He ordered to rearrange the songs into a structured liturgical order. The confreres used the structure of the Baroque Divine Office as a pattern. They based the devotion on the morning hour of "Matins" (nowadays it might be similar to Office of Readings) and the Laudes, or "Lauds" prayer. Fr. Benik looked at old Gregorian chorales to arrange the music, but he kept the original folklore character of the melodies. Specialists can find similarities to Gregorian hymnals and chorales. Fr. Lawrence Benik CM described how the devotion should be celebrated. Since the beginning it took place on Sundays of the Lent after either High Mass or Vespers.[3]
In late 18th century some liturgical elements were added making the structure very much like the present one: the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the beginning, the singing of the three parts of the hymnals and songs; followed by an occasional sermon called the Passion Sermon. After that there was a procession with candles around the church. Finally the celebrant blessed worshipers with the Blessed Sacrament.[4]
Present Day
Generally, the Gorzkie Żale devotion is divided into three parts comprising one cycle. The first part is sung on the first and fourth Sundays of Lent, the second part is sung on the second and fifth Sundays of Lent, and the third part is sung on the third Sunday of Lent and Palm Sunday. On Good Friday, all three parts of the entire cycle are sung, though there are variations depending on local custom.
The devotion usually starts with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by the sung introductory hymn: "Pobudka do rozmyślania męki Pańskiej" (English: "A wake-up call to begin meditating Our Lord's Passion"). This hymn is the same for all three parts of the cycle and is presented below.[5][6]
The introductory hymn "Pobudka"
Polish text
English version
Gorzkie żale, przybywajcie,
Serca nasze przenikajcie. (2x)
Rozpłyńcie się, me źrenice,
Toczcie smutnych łez krynice. (2x)
Let us pray in contemplation,
While we sing this lamentation. (2x)
With eyes tearful, hearts repenting,
Let us grieve with no relenting. (2x)
Słońce, gwiadzy omdlewają,
Żałobą się pokrywają. (2x)
Płaczą rzewnie Aniołowie,
A któż żałość ich wypowie? (2x)
Lo, the sun and stars are fading;
sadness, nature all pervading. (2x)
Host of Angels, sadly weeping,
Who'll explain their deep bereaving? (2x)
Opoki się twarde krają,
Zgrobów umarli powstają. (2x)
Cóż jest, pytam, co się dzieje?
Wszystko stworzenie truchleje. (2x)
Mountains, cliffs and rocks are crumbling;
Sealed tombs open, loudly thund'ring. (2x)
Why such sorrow, desolation?
Overwhelming all creation? (2x)
Na ból męki Chrystusowej
Żal przejmuje bez wymowy. (2x)
Uderz, Jezu, bez odwłoki
W twarde serc naszych opoki. (2x)
'Tis Our Savior's sacred Passion
Moving all to deep compassion. (2x)
Touch our hearts, O Lord most holy,
With contrition, true and lowly. (2x)
Jezu mój, w krwi ran Twoich
Obmyj duszę z grzechów moich. (2x)
Upał serca mego chłodzę,
Gdy w przepaść męki Twej wchodzę. (2x)
By your precious Blood redeem us;
From sin, malice, O Lord free us. (2x)
May our Lenten lamentations,
Curb false ardor and wild passions. (2x)
The subsequent parts are particular to each cycle. The introductory hymn is followed by the spoken "Intencja", or "Intention," a spoken meditative reflection, derived from the "Passion sermon". This "Intention" is followed by another hymn as well as the "Lament duszy nad cierpiącym Jezusem," or the "Lament of the soul on the suffering Jesus". Finally there is the "Rozmowa duszy z Matką Bolesną" or "The Dialogue of the Soul with the Sorrowful Mother" followed by the final refrain, "Któryś za nas cierpiał rany," or "You who suffered wounds for us" sung three times. The celebration is concluded with Benediction and a blessing with the Blessed Sacrament.[7][8]
Popularity
The devotion of the Gorzkie Żale spread around the territory of Kingdom of Poland and Lithuania very quickly. Wherever Vincentian missioners went and preached recollections and popular missions they brought the Gorzkie Żale with them and planted the devotion in all these places. Soon, the Gorzkie Żale became the central and most traditional Lenten celebration in Polish churches. During three centuries of its history some changes in the melody line were introduced. There were also some attempts to translate the text into other languages, especially English. But after 300 years the Gorzkie Żale remained a typically Polish traditional Lenten devotion piously celebrated in Poland and in most Polish communities abroad. In 2007 there were numerous events in Vincentian locations in Poland, especially in Holy Cross Church in Warsaw, commemorating 300 years of this Lenten devotion.[9] Since the 17th century, a similar tradition known as Ngắm Mùa Chay has developed in the Catholic church in Vietnam.
External links
Polish Easter Traditions: Gorzkie Żale
English translation of traditional Polish Lenten devotion - Gorzkie Zale (Lenten Lamentations) based on 1986 Polish American Liturgical Center, Orcahard Lake, Michigan, USA publication.
References
^"Holy Cross Church - Bernardo Bellotto (1722-1780)".
^Zielinski, Thomas (17 March 2011). "Lenten Lamentations (Gorzkie Żale) English translation". Slide-show Presentation. Congregation of the Mission, Province of New England. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
^Zielinski, Thomas (17 March 2011). "Lenten Lamentations (Gorzkie Zale) English translation". Slide-show Presentation. Congregation of the Mission, Province of New England. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
^Zielinski, Thomas (17 March 2011). "Lenten Lamentations (Gorzkie Żale) English translation". Slide-show Presentation. Congregation of the Mission, Province of New England. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
^Gunkel, Phd, Ann Hetzel. "Gorzkie Zale; Lenten Lamentations". Web article. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
^Mański, Idzi O, Jan Węcowski, Marian Sawa, Antoni Szaliński, Stanisław Gałoński, Mikołaj Gomółka, and Wacław . Szamotuł. Gorzkie Żale: Passion Meditations. Warszawa: Veriton, 1970. Sound recording.
^Zielinski, Thomas (17 March 2011). "Lenten Lamentations (Gorzkie Żale) English translation". Slide-show Presentation. Congregation of the Mission, Province of New England. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
^Gunkel, Phd, Ann Hetzel. "Gorzkie Zale; Lenten Lamentations". Web article. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
^Zielinski, Thomas (17 March 2011). "Lenten Lamentations (Gorzkie Zale) English translation". Congregation of the Mission, Province of New England. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
January 31, 2023
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This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations February 2009 Learn how and when to remove this template message Gorzkie zale Polish pronunciation ˈɡɔʂkʲe ˈʐalɛ Lenten or Bitter Lamentations is a Catholic devotion containing many hymns that developed out of Poland in the 18th century The devotion is primarily a sung reflection and meditation on the Passion of Christ and the sorrows of His Blessed Mother The devotion consists of a three part cycle subdivided into five unique parts One part of the cycle is held on each Sunday in the period of Lent including Palm Sunday and the entire ceremony is held on Good Friday The devotion originated in Holy Cross Church in Warsaw and from there it spread to whole of Poland The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Warsaw in Warsaw where the devotion was first held in 1704 as painted by Bernardo Bellotto 1778 1 Contents 1 History 2 Structure 2 1 Present Day 3 Popularity 4 External links 5 ReferencesHistory EditThe Gorzkie Zale devotion originated in the early 18th century in Holy Cross Church in Warsaw Poland It was primarily a collection of popular songs and melodies used by people in villages around Warsaw to reflect on the Passion of Christ In 1707 Fr Lawrence Benik CM published a booklet in Polish titled Snopek Myrry z Ogroda Gethsemanskiego albo zalosne Gorzkiej Meki Syna Bozego rospamietywanie translated A bundle of Myrrh from the Garden of Gethsemane or the lamentation over the Bitter Passion of the Son of God Myrrh was one of the gifts the Three Wise Men brought to newborn Jesus as the announcement of the passion and the redemptive death of Christ This publishing is considered to be the beginning of the devotion For years this Baroque multi word phrase was used as title of the devotion Then with passing time a title derived from the first words of the initial song Gorzkie Zale przybywajcie serca nasze przenikajcie was used more frequently Though the title eventually changed to simply Gorzkie Zale the original old Polish language of the devotion was preserved 2 Structure EditFr Bartholomew Tarlo CM priest of Holy Cross Parish and first Visitor of Province of Poland acknowledged the importance of this devotion which featured melodies on the Passion of Christ He ordered to rearrange the songs into a structured liturgical order The confreres used the structure of the Baroque Divine Office as a pattern They based the devotion on the morning hour of Matins nowadays it might be similar to Office of Readings and the Laudes or Lauds prayer Fr Benik looked at old Gregorian chorales to arrange the music but he kept the original folklore character of the melodies Specialists can find similarities to Gregorian hymnals and chorales Fr Lawrence Benik CM described how the devotion should be celebrated Since the beginning it took place on Sundays of the Lent after either High Mass or Vespers 3 In late 18th century some liturgical elements were added making the structure very much like the present one the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the beginning the singing of the three parts of the hymnals and songs followed by an occasional sermon called the Passion Sermon After that there was a procession with candles around the church Finally the celebrant blessed worshipers with the Blessed Sacrament 4 Present Day Edit Generally the Gorzkie Zale devotion is divided into three parts comprising one cycle The first part is sung on the first and fourth Sundays of Lent the second part is sung on the second and fifth Sundays of Lent and the third part is sung on the third Sunday of Lent and Palm Sunday On Good Friday all three parts of the entire cycle are sung though there are variations depending on local custom The devotion usually starts with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed by the sung introductory hymn Pobudka do rozmyslania meki Panskiej English A wake up call to begin meditating Our Lord s Passion This hymn is the same for all three parts of the cycle and is presented below 5 6 source source The introductory hymn Pobudka Polish text English versionGorzkie zale przybywajcie Serca nasze przenikajcie 2x Rozplyncie sie me zrenice Toczcie smutnych lez krynice 2x Let us pray in contemplation While we sing this lamentation 2x With eyes tearful hearts repenting Let us grieve with no relenting 2x Slonce gwiadzy omdlewaja Zaloba sie pokrywaja 2x Placza rzewnie Aniolowie A ktoz zalosc ich wypowie 2x Lo the sun and stars are fading sadness nature all pervading 2x Host of Angels sadly weeping Who ll explain their deep bereaving 2x Opoki sie twarde kraja Zgrobow umarli powstaja 2x Coz jest pytam co sie dzieje Wszystko stworzenie truchleje 2x Mountains cliffs and rocks are crumbling Sealed tombs open loudly thund ring 2x Why such sorrow desolation Overwhelming all creation 2x Na bol meki Chrystusowej Zal przejmuje bez wymowy 2x Uderz Jezu bez odwloki W twarde serc naszych opoki 2x Tis Our Savior s sacred Passion Moving all to deep compassion 2x Touch our hearts O Lord most holy With contrition true and lowly 2x Jezu moj w krwi ran Twoich Obmyj dusze z grzechow moich 2x Upal serca mego chlodze Gdy w przepasc meki Twej wchodze 2x By your precious Blood redeem us From sin malice O Lord free us 2x May our Lenten lamentations Curb false ardor and wild passions 2x The subsequent parts are particular to each cycle The introductory hymn is followed by the spoken Intencja or Intention a spoken meditative reflection derived from the Passion sermon This Intention is followed by another hymn as well as the Lament duszy nad cierpiacym Jezusem or the Lament of the soul on the suffering Jesus Finally there is the Rozmowa duszy z Matka Bolesna or The Dialogue of the Soul with the Sorrowful Mother followed by the final refrain Ktorys za nas cierpial rany or You who suffered wounds for us sung three times The celebration is concluded with Benediction and a blessing with the Blessed Sacrament 7 8 Popularity EditThe devotion of the Gorzkie Zale spread around the territory of Kingdom of Poland and Lithuania very quickly Wherever Vincentian missioners went and preached recollections and popular missions they brought the Gorzkie Zale with them and planted the devotion in all these places Soon the Gorzkie Zale became the central and most traditional Lenten celebration in Polish churches During three centuries of its history some changes in the melody line were introduced There were also some attempts to translate the text into other languages especially English But after 300 years the Gorzkie Zale remained a typically Polish traditional Lenten devotion piously celebrated in Poland and in most Polish communities abroad In 2007 there were numerous events in Vincentian locations in Poland especially in Holy Cross Church in Warsaw commemorating 300 years of this Lenten devotion 9 Since the 17th century a similar tradition known as Ngắm Mua Chay has developed in the Catholic church in Vietnam External links EditPolish Easter Traditions Gorzkie Zale PDF file of Gorzkie zale text in Polish English translation of traditional Polish Lenten devotion Gorzkie Zale Lenten Lamentations based on 1986 Polish American Liturgical Center Orcahard Lake Michigan USA publication References Edit Holy Cross Church Bernardo Bellotto 1722 1780 Zielinski Thomas 17 March 2011 Lenten Lamentations Gorzkie Zale English translation Slide show Presentation Congregation of the Mission Province of New England Retrieved 2014 02 15 Zielinski Thomas 17 March 2011 Lenten Lamentations Gorzkie Zale English translation Slide show Presentation Congregation of the Mission Province of New England Retrieved 2014 02 15 Zielinski Thomas 17 March 2011 Lenten Lamentations Gorzkie Zale English translation Slide show Presentation Congregation of the Mission Province of New England Retrieved 2014 02 15 Gunkel Phd Ann Hetzel Gorzkie Zale Lenten Lamentations Web article Retrieved 2014 02 15 Manski Idzi O Jan Wecowski Marian Sawa Antoni Szalinski Stanislaw Galonski Mikolaj Gomolka and Waclaw Szamotul Gorzkie Zale Passion Meditations Warszawa Veriton 1970 Sound recording Zielinski Thomas 17 March 2011 Lenten Lamentations Gorzkie Zale English translation Slide show Presentation Congregation of the Mission Province of New England Retrieved 2014 02 15 Gunkel Phd Ann Hetzel Gorzkie Zale Lenten Lamentations Web article Retrieved 2014 02 15 Zielinski Thomas 17 March 2011 Lenten Lamentations Gorzkie Zale English translation Congregation of the Mission Province of New England Retrieved 2014 02 15 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gorzkie zale amp oldid 1083511776, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
