Locus iste

Locus iste is the gradual of the Mass for the Dedication of a Church (or the anniversary thereof). The verse "Deus, cui adstat…" is given in the Liber Usualis but omitted from polyphonic settings except as noted.

It is taken from Jacob's words on awakening from his vision (Genesis 28:17), also the source of the introit "Terribilis est locus iste".

Settings

• anon. (Trent 91) a 4 (includes verse "Deus, cui adstant angelorum chori exaudi preces servorum tuorum")
• Agnaldo Baêta a 4
• Anton Bruckner a 4
• Adrian Cuello a 4
• Mariano Garau a 3
• Jorge Moreira a 4 (with verse from Gen. 28;17, "Hic domus Dei est, et porta caeli", "This is the house of God and the gate to heaven.")
• Oscar Santos SATB with divisi (includes verse "Deus cui angelorum chorus, exaudi preces servorum tuorum." )

"Locus iste" can also be the incipit of polyphonic settings of the introit:

• Terribilis est locus iste (Blasius Ammon)

also set by Corteccia, Eccard, Gossec, Isaac and Senfl, and used as the tenor of Nuper rosarum flores (Guillaume Dufay).

Other settings possibly not included in the manual list above

• Johann Michael Haydn — Locus iste
• Mason Chadwick Shefa — Locus iste
• Scott Villard — Locus iste

Text and translations

Latin text Locus iste a Deo factus est, inaestimabile sacramentum, irreprehensibilis est. (versus:) Deus, cui adstat Angelorum chorus, exaudi preces servorum tuorum. Portuguese translation Este lugar foi feito por Deus, um inestimável sacramento, obra irrepreensível. French translation Ce lieu, le Seigneur en a fait un inestimable mystère, une œuvre irréprochable.

English translation This place was made by God, a priceless mystery; it is without reproof. (verse:) God with your angels' choir, listen the prayer of your servants. German translation Dieser Ort ist von Gott geschaffen, ein unschätzbares Geheimnis, kein Fehl ist an ihm. Dutch translation Deze vreeswekkende plaats is door God gemaakt, een sacrament van onschatbare waarde die onaantastbaar is.