The Feast of the Transfiguration is a celebration of the events recorded in the Gospels of Saints Matthew, Mark and Luke, in which Jesus takes the apostles Peter, James and John with him up a “high mountain” and before their eyes becomes transfigured: “his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light” (Mt. 17:2). These three apostles were the chosen witnesses of certain other special events, most notably Jesus’ anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane: there, the three were confronted with Jesus’ physical fear as he contemplated the approaching torments of his crucifixion and death. It seems fitting that they should have been strengthened in preparation for beholding this humiliation of their Lord by witnessing the events of the Transfiguration, in which they received a striking testimony to his divinity.

The Transfiguration is rich in meaning for the Christian, and particularly so for the monk, who shares in a certain way the privileged position of Peter, James and John.

In his isolation from the activity of the world, with the time and opportunity for study and reflection upon the scriptures and conversing with Jesus in prayer, the monk beholds the glory of Jesus. As St Peter said: “Lord, it is wonderful for us to be here” (Mt 17:4). Every Christian, however, can see in this mystery a foreshadowing of their own final glorification in heaven, which begins here and now in the life of the Church when we are incorporated by baptism into the body of Christ, of whom the Father declared: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

The Office of Lauds is the morning prayer of the monks, which is sung at daybreak. The pattern of antiphons, psalms, hymn and prayers is described in the rule of St Benedict. The texts for the transfiguration antiphons are taken from the Gospel which is read at the Mass of the feast, later in the day. The hymn, “Dulcis Jesu Memoria” is, like most monastic compositions, of uncertain authorship, probably dating from the 13th century.

This recording consists of two Radio broadcasts for the BBC made during 1996: Lauds of the Transfiguration for Radio 3, and Sunday Compline for Radio 4. The original broadcasts shortened this recording and the Radio 3 programme also included some commentary which is not included here. We thank the BBC for making the tapes available to us.

The chants are almost exactly as we sing them during the Divine Office here at Pluscarden, except that the BBC required that we use a schola of 8 monks instead of the usual full community choir. The texts and music are those of the monastic office as edited and produced by the monks of Solesmes Abbey, the text of the psalms being that of the new Latin vulgate.