Lucien Deiss

Lucien Deiss, CSSp was a French Catholic priest, biblical scholar, and liturgical composer, born in Eschbach, Bas-Rhin, on 2 September 1921, and died on 9 October 2007 at the age of 86.[2]

The Reverend

Lucien Deiss

CsSp
Born2 September 1921
Eschbach, France
Died9 October 2007
Bicêtre Hospital,[1]
Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
Occupation(s)Priest, professor, composer

Biography

Deiss entered the Congregation of the Holy Ghost in 1942, and was ordained a priest in 1943, both during World War II. Passionate about the Bible and liturgy, for a year he was professor of Holy Scripture at the newly established major seminary of Brazzaville, Congo. Returning to France for health reasons in 1948, he taught at the seminary of Chevilly-Larue, which later renamed its library in his honor.[2][3]

Deiss composed over 400 pieces of liturgical music, many inspired by Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony with biblical texts.[2] He once described the impetus for his composing career, starting at a small suburban parish in the 1950s: "I realized that the people knew almost nothing of the Bible, so I decided to try using music to help them memorize the more important texts."[1] Beyond France, some of his works were widely translated and sold over 5 million copies.[2] His Biblical Hymns and Psalms (1965) was one of the first major collections of new music for English-language Masses, responding to the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council in which he participated, and earning him an honorary Doctorate in Sacred Music from his congregation's Duquesne University.[4][5] The National Association of Pastoral Musicians named him "Pastoral Musician of the Year" for United States Catholics in 1992.[6] He received a Grand Prix de l'Académie Charles Cros for the 2005 album Ave Maria that he recorded with his seminary choir.[7]

Works

Musical compositions

French:

  • Souviens-toi de Jésus-Christ
  • L'Esprit de Dieu
  • Terre entière chante ta joie
  • Un seul Seigneur
  • Peuple de prêtres, peuple de rois

English:[8]

  • "All the Earth, Proclaim the Lord"
  • "Grant to Us, O Lord"
  • "Keep in Mind"
  • "My Shepherd Is the Lord"
  • "My Soul Is Longing for Your Peace"
  • "With a Joyful Heart"

Books
  • La Prière chrétienne des psaumes. Desclée de Brouwer, 2001.
  • Joseph, Marie, Jésus. Editions Saint Paul, 1997.
  • La messe: sa célébration expliquée. Desclée de Brouwer, 1989.
  • Come, Lord Jesus: Biblical Prayers with Psalms and Scripture Readings. World Library Publications, 1981.
  • Biblical Hymns and Psalms. Multiple volumes and publishers, starting 1965.
  • Synopse de Matthieu, Marc et Luc, avec les Paralleles de Jean. Desclée de Brouwer, 1963.

References
  1. Fox, Mary G. (October 2007). "We Remember a Wonderful Prophet: Lucien Deiss". Rite. 38 (5). Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  2. Senèze, Nicolas (11 October 2007). "Le P. Lucien Deiss, missionnaire de la beauté, est mort". La Croix (in French). Archived from the original on 13 October 2007.
  3. Metzger, Robert (2002). "Le Père Lucien Deiss et le renouveau de la liturgie". Mémoire Spiritaine 16 (in French). Retrieved 2 April 2023 – via Bibliothèque Lucien Deiss, Congrégation du Saint-Esprit, Chevilly-Larue, France.
  4. "Rev. Lucien Deiss, C.S.Sp., 1921–2007". World Library Publications. 10 October 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007.
  5. "Lucien Deiss, CSSp". Oregon Catholic Press. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  6. "NPM Awards". National Association of Pastoral Musicians. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  7. "Grand Prix de l'Académie Charles Cros". Qobuz. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  8. "Fr Lucien Deiss CSSp, 1921–2007". Wentworthville, Australia: Our Lady of Mount Carmel. 11 October 2007. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
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