Optimam partem elegit

General information

Communion used before the Council of Trent for various Marian feasts; assigned to the Assumption in the 1570 Missal; and now assigned in the post-1970 books to OT 16C and the Common of Virgins.
Source of text is Luke 10:42.

Settings by composers

• William Byrd SATTB
• Francesco Corteccia SATB
• Nobuaki Izawa SATB (Luke 10:42,41)
• Jacquet de Mantua SATTB (quintus is an editorial restoration)

A longer part of the Gospel is set in Intravit Jesus (Giaches de Wert) SATTB

Text and translations

Latin text Optimam partem elegit sibi Maria Quae non auferetur ab ea in aeternum.

German translation Den besten Teil hat sich Maria erwählt, der ihr nicht weggenommen werden soll auf ewig.

English translation Mary has chosen for herself the best part which shall never be taken from her.