Introduction:

After the reading from the Old Testament, the deacon invites the community to stand and sing the śūrāyā. The term śūrāyā is used here as a title for the hymn that "predicates” the special reason for the day's celebration, i.e., the Feast of St. Thomas, Blessed Virgin Mary, Blessed Kuriakose, Blessed Alphonsa, et al. The hymn has a single strophe of four verses. The third verse is open-ended, "Let us commemorate the feast of ….,” so that the name of the saint or the feast can be added. The same melody and text is sung five times, each time with a different incipit. In the CD, it is sung only three times. The incipits have a transitional role between repetitions of the same text and melody by way of introducing a new theme; musically, they break the flow of the 4/4 meter between each repetition.

Source text- Solemn High Mass English

Lyrics text

"The heavens proclaim the glory of God."

With the hymns of the Holy Spirit
And the hymns of Alleluia,
Let us commemorate the feast of St. Thomas;
Let us now celebrate on this altar.

"The firmament declares the work of His hands."

With the hymns ...

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit
From eternity and for ever. Amen.

With the hymns ...

Source text- Solemn Celebration of Qurbana - Music Notation

Music Notation Sūrāyā