Immutemur habitu

General information

Immutemur habitu (cf. Joel 2:13) and Juxta vestibulum et altar (Joel 2:17 & Esther 13:17) are Antiphons for the imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday.

Settings by composers

• Bartolomé de Escobedo a 4
• Cristóbal de Morales (2nda pars Juxta vestibulum) SATB or STTB
  • See also his Inter vestibulum et altare SATB
• José Maurício Nunes Garcia (Immutemur only) SATB
• Christophorus Potier a 5

Texts and Translations

Latin text Immutemur habitu in cinere et cilicio; jejunemus, et ploremus ante Dominum; quia multum misericors est dimittere peccata nostra Deus noster.   Juxta vestibulum et altare plorabunt sacerdotes et levitae, ministri Domini, dicentes: Parce Domine, parce populo tuo; et ne dissipes ora clamantium ad te, Domine.

English translation Let us change our garments for ashes and sackcloth; let us fast and lament before the Lord; for our God is plenteous in mercy to forgive our sins.   Near the porch and the altar the priests and levites shall weep, the Lord's ministers, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare thy people; and do not scatter the mouths of those crying to thee, O Lord. Tr. by The St. Ann Choir, directed by William Mahrt