Traditional Pontifical Vespers with Cardinal Sarah at the Cathedral Basilica of Philadelphia

A Pontifical Vespers in the traditional Latin rite was officiated by His Eminence Robert Cardinal Sarah, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship, on Friday, November 21, 2025--the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary--at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter & Paul, Philadelphia. This celebration was an event of The Catholic Sacred Music Project ‪@catholicsacredmusicproject‬ in association with The Durandus Institute for Sacred Liturgy & Music. His Eminence's latest book, "The Song of the Lamb: Sacred Music and the Heavenly Liturgy", is written in conversation with Peter Carter. Copies of the book may be ordered at the following link: https://ignatius.com/the-song-of-the-... 0:00 Entrance of the clergy 3:57 Welcome & Introduction by the Cathedral's Rector 7:45 Solemn entrance of the Cardinal 11:42 Opening remarks by Cardinal Sarah 22:23 Vesting for Vespers 28:23 Beginning of Vespers, "Deus in adjutorium" 29:18 The five psalms 51:42 The Chapter (Sirach 24,14) 52:45 Hymn: "Ave Maris Stella" (Johannes Le Febure) 1:01:05 "Magnificat" (Palestrina) 1:10:40 Collect, Dismissal, Pontifical Blessing 1:17:17 Entrance of the Blessed Sacrament and Exposition 1:18:30 "O Salutaris Hostia" 1:20:40 "Ave Verum Corpus" (Peter Philips) 1:24:45 "Tantum Ergo" (Déodat de Séverac) 1:29:28 Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament 1:30:06 The Divine Praises (Timothy McDonnell) 1:32:49 "Adoremus in aeternum" (Allegri) 1:36:25 Return to choir dress 1:44:35 Final hymn: "Holy God, we praise thy name" 1:48:27 Concluding organ voluntary