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“Pag-Aalay ng Sarili (St.Therese Couderc’s Act of Oblation)” is a slow ballad, 3/4 time signature, E-Major. The Filipino lyrics talk about a complete offering of self to Jesus.

This was made as a Communion or post-communion song for ordinations, vow-taking ceremonies and any mission-sending situation. Download the music sheet after the jump.

DOWNLOAD LINKS:
PDF of the musical piece
(The link will bring you to a page on Mediafire where you can download the file.)

Story Behind the Song:

Back in college in 1991, I was asked by one of our college campus ministry heads, Sr. Reylie de Guzman, rc of the Cenacle Sisters in the Philippines, to compose music for “Pag-Aalay ng Sarili” — Coring Dolor’s Filipino translation of St.Therese Couderc‘s Act of Oblation. The Cenacle sisters wanted to sing a Filipino version of their founding saint’s prayer,  and since I had been composing many of the Responsorial Psalms for my college’s special masses, I took it as an honor and a challenge to do so. They loved the song, and have been using it for their final vows ceremonies since 1991.

I composed the music with the idea that it should be a romantic ballad  since the lyrics focused on the desire to make every moment an offering of love to Jesus.

The song was originally recorded by two Cenacle sisters:  Sr.Bubbles Bandojo, rc and Sr.Susay Valdez, rc — both friends of mine — (along with Arnel dC Aquino sj on piano) in the album Prayers From The Upper Room.

Also, in 2007, Heidi Herrera from the St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Milpitas, CA recorded the song for a fundraising CD they released in their parish church. In the version she recorded, Nathaniel Camillo was on piano.

Listen to their version here:

The Source of the Lyrics:

ACT OF OBLATION

by St. Therese Couderc
Lord Jesus, I unite myself to your perpetual, unceasing, universal sacrifice.
I offer myself to you every day of my life and every moment of every day
according to your most holy and adorable will.
You have been the victim of my salvation; I wish to be the victim of your love.
Accept my desire, take my offering, graciously hear my prayer.
Let me live for love of you; let me die for love of you;
Let my last heartbeat be an act of perfect love!

Usage Notes:

This was made as a Communion or post-communion song for ordinations, vow-taking ceremonies and any mission-sending situation. It can also be used as a reflection song.

Conscious Fall. Photo by Pauline Balba on Flickr.

Conscious Fall. Photo by Pauline Balba on Flickr.