Improperia (Popule Meus)
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Improperia (Popule Meus)The Improperia are a series of antiphons and responses, expressing the remonstrance of Christ with His people. In the Catholic liturgy they traditionally are sung as part of the observance of the Passion, usually on the afternoon of Good Friday, during the so-called 'Adoration of the Cross'.
In their present form in the Roman Rite, the first part consists of three reproaches, adapted from passages of Scripture, followed by the Trisagion being repeated after each in Latin and Greek by two halves of the choir. The second part, meanwhile, is composed nine other lines sung by the cantors, with the full choir responding after each with the refrain "Popule meus, quid feci tibi?..." (which also begins the series) After the last Improperium and its refrain, the hymns Crux fidelis and Pange lingua follow.
The Improperia appear in the Pontificale of Prudentius (846-61) and gradually came into use throughout Europe in the eleventh …More