In Paradisum (for Ayla) [SSAATTBB]

A number of years ago, my eldest niece and her husband were expecting a child. Significant complications arose and the child was lost, born severely premature with no intervention possible. For a few brief and precious moments they were able to hold their precious Ayla (“Bringer of Life”) Grace – small, fragile, her time on earth ever so brief and then immediately in the eternal presence of Christ.

In Requiem Masses for the dead, this antiphon is sung in procession on the way from the final blessing of the body in the church to the graveyard where burial takes place. This composition begins by calls our attention to the angelic realm peacefully and mystically escorting Ayla towards heaven, surrounding and ushering her into Paradise. This setting makes use of a minor third in the opening four notes, unlike the original Gregorian theme which uses the major third as well as its later-inspired When the Saints Go Marching In.

In Paradisum is written in loving and eternal memory of my great-niece Ayla and all children who have been called seemingly too early to the other side of the veil between worlds.

"May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs receive you at your arrival and lead you to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive you and with Lazarus, once (a) poor (man), may you have eternal rest."