Missa Festiva in honorem Sancti Damiani (Deckers, Marc)

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Saint Father Damien of Molokai was born in the Belgian municipality of Tremelo. I lived there for twenty years, and on May 10, 1997, the first version of this mass—"Missa Festiva in honorem Beati Damiani"—was premiered at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Tremelo by the parish's Kamiano children's choir, with myself serving as organist (see score Original version). To enable the mass to be sung with the parish's mixed choir as well, the composer wrote a separate version for that ensemble.

On July 15, 2009, I completed a revised version intended for use after the official canonization of Father Damien on 11 October 2009. They incorporate the same musical material and are likewise scored for any type of choir singing primarily in unison, accompanied by organ, piano, or harmonium. Retained, too, are the characteristically archaic tonal quality—combined with more modern rhythmic and stylistic patterns—and the mystical, sacred spirit of the Latin text, which speaks so directly to the heart, much like Gregorian chant. Yet the new version also introduces new elements. For instance, it can be performed with additional instruments such as violins, flutes, and even a cornet or trumpet (see Revised version with instruments). Moreover, I have adapted the new Mass to meet the growing liturgical desire for congregational singing, thereby fostering more active participation by the people of God. It is my fervent hope that this even richer variety of instrumentation and scoring—ideally featuring a child’s voice to intone the "Benedictus"—will inspire both performers and listeners to offer praise, gratitude, and homage to our good God of Love.