Lamb of God / Take Our Bread

This handwritten solfa sheet brings together two essential moments of the Catholic Mass, offering choirs a straightforward and prayerful setting for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The first piece is a gentle arrangement of the "Lamb of God" (Agnus Dei) by Marymatha Mordi. Sung as the bread is broken, the melody carries a quiet plea for mercy and peace. The vocal parts move with a simple, steady rhythm, allowing the congregation to reflect on the sacrifice of the altar before approaching communion.

Following the Agnus Dei is "Take Our Bread," a well-known offertory and communion hymn originally by Joseph Wise, presented here with harmonies arranged by V.I. Ihaza. The refrain is an earnest prayer of self-offering, asking the Father to accept not just the physical gifts of bread and wine, but the hearts and lives of the faithful. As the choir leads the verses, the lyrics speak of standing at the Lord's table, hungry for spiritual food and bringing "the best we could."

In many Nigerian parishes, combining these two pieces on a single sheet gives the choir director a ready-made sequence for the transition from the preparation of the gifts to the communion procession. The familiar, comforting melodies encourage the whole church to join in the singing, making the shared meal of the Eucharist feel deeply personal and communal.