Breathe on Me_Praise to the Holiest

This handwritten sheet brings together two deeply cherished hymns, "Breathe on Me, Breath of God" and "Praise to the Holiest." The first is a gentle, earnest plea for spiritual renewal. As the choir sings the familiar verses, the words ask the Holy Spirit to purify our hearts and align our wills with God's. It is a fitting piece for moments of quiet reflection, often sung during Pentecost, ordinations, or after Communion when the congregation is deep in prayer.

The second piece, "Praise to the Holiest," shifts the mood to majestic adoration. With words penned by Saint John Henry Newman, it marvels at the mystery of the Incarnation and God's redemptive love—how a "second Adam" came to the rescue when all was lost. The addition of a soaring descant in the final section allows the sopranos to lift the praise even higher, filling the church with a sense of triumph.

Together, these two hymns offer a journey from quiet, inward consecration to outward, joyful praise. Choirs will find this solfa transcription especially useful for teaching the four-part harmonies, ensuring that both the gentle pleas and the triumphant chords resonate clearly from the choir loft.