SUNDAY XIX

The Bridegroom is arising, and soon he will draw nigh.

Up, watch in expectation, at midnight comes the cry.

See that your lamps are burning, replenish them with oil...

All part of this Sunday's Gospel reading, and found in the day's Offertory hymn, Rejoice, rejoice, believers (Maroon hymnal, #4).  While it's indexed in the Advent section, it's very much appropriate this Sunday.

With that, here is this Sunday's...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Key:            PM = Ignatius PEW MISSAL (the paperback missal)

                    MH = MAROON HYMNAL (simply titled "The Hymnal")
                    RW = RED WORSHIP hymnal

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria on Sunday unless recited)

A Community Mass (Richard Proulx) (Sanctus through Agnus)

ALLELUIA: Mode VI

Hymns, etc.

Entrance hymn: PM 104 Christ is made the sure foundation ("Westminster Abbey") (Listen)

- This listen link has a really cool trumpet fanfare at the beginning!

Psalm 33: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own (Columba Kelly, OSB/Joseph Gelineau, SJ)

Offertory hymn: MH 4 Rejoice, rejoice, believers ("Greenland") (Listen)

Hymn during Communion: Tantum Ergo (Oreste Ravanello)

Recessional hymn: PM 92 At the Name of Jesus ("King's Weston") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

AN ACTION PACKED SUNDAY XVIII

This Saturday, as you probably all know, is our Italian Heritage Mass (5 PM) followed by the dinner/dance at the Quonset O Club.  Msgr. Carlo Montecalvo will be the celebrant at the Mass.  There will be Mass programs placed next to the bulletins as you enter the church.  The readings are for the Eighteenth Sunday through the year, but the hymnody for this Mass differs from Sunday's Mass (the "regular" Mass, or, quoting President Warren Harding in 1920, "return to normalcy") ;)

We have also brought an old friend back to life - the number board!  In addition to numbers, I made some "letter cards" to place next to each number to indicate which book the hymn is found.  They go as follows:

                    PM = Ignatius PEW MISSAL (the paperback missal)
                    MH = MAROON HYMNAL (simply titled "The Hymnal")
                    RW = RED WORSHIP hymnal

So, without further ado...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

August 2 - Sunday XVIII/Italian Heritage Mass (5 PM)

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Messa Popolare "Laus Tibi Christe" (Federico Caudana) (Gloria, Sanctus, Amen (adapted) and Agnus)

Annunziamo la tua morte... (Memorial Acclamation in Italian)

ALLELUIA: Mode VI

Hymns, etc.

Entrance hymn: PM 130 For all the saints ("Sine Nomine") (Listen)

Psalm 90: R./ If today you hear his voice... (Owen Alstott)

Offertory hymn: (in Mass Guide) Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All / Hai dato un cibo... ("Sweet Sacrament")

- alternating English and Italian (two verses each).  Special thanks to Peter Fiore, music director at Immaculate Conception Church in Westerly (where Msgr. Montecalvo often says Mass), for sending me the Italian text.  GRAZIE!

Communion hymn: (in Mass Guide) Lodate Maria (traditional Italian)

Recessional hymn: PM 155 Holy God, we praise thy Name ("Grosser Gott")

August 3 - Sunday XVIII (10 AM)

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria on Sunday unless recited; omitted on Friday)

A Community Mass (Richard Proulx) (Sanctus through Agnus)

ALLELUIA: Mode VI

Hymns, etc.

Entrance hymn: PM 207 O God, our help in ages past ("St. Anne") (Listen)

- The fourth verse echoes the first versicle of today's Responsorial Psalm: "A thousand ages in thy sight are like an evening gone, short as the watch that ends the night before the rising sun."

Psalm 90: R./ If today you hear his voice... (Owen Alstott)

Offertory hymn: PM 247 Soul of my Savior ("Anima Christi") (Listen)

Communion hymn: Panis Angelicus (Hungarian tune) (Listen)

- Recognize the voice in the listen link? ;)

Recessional hymn: MH 288 O worship the King ("Hanover") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

SUNDAY XVII

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Listen) or recited (Gloria)
A Community Mass (Richard Proulx) (Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Amen and Agnus Dei)

ALLELUIA: Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB

The rest:

Entrance hymn: #184 in Pew Missal Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates ("Truro") (Listen)
Psalm 138: R./ Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me (PDF)
Offertory hymn: #128 in Pew Missal Faith of our fathers ("St. Catherine") (Listen)
Hymn during Communion: in Mass Guide To you I lift my soul ("Love Unknown")
Recessional hymn: in Mass Guide Ye holy angels bright ("Darwall's 148th") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

SUNDAY XVI - THE BETTER PART

"Mary has chosen the better part and it shall not be taken from her."  These words were spoken by Jesus to Martha, who was busy with serving duties while her sister Mary sat and listened to him speak.

I was able to recall the hymn, O Bread of life, O Lord of love in my collections at home of older books, such as some old 1970s volumes of We Celebrate and People's Mass Book, both of which included this hymn, as well as the old Monthly Missalette that readers (if I have any at all).  While the hymn is basically Eucharistic-themed, verse 2 starts thus:

    Divine Redeemer, Lord of life, teach us to choose the better part...

The tune used for O Bread of life... is that of one of the more widely published tunes used for O Salutaris Hostia, this one by Abbe Dieudonne Duguet.

And now, without further ado...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Listen) or recited (Gloria)
A Community Mass (Richard Proulx) (Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Amen and Agnus Dei)

ALLELUIA: Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB

The rest (all in the Mass Guides at the entrances of the Church.  Feel free to take one.  They won't bite you, I promise.)  ;)

Entrance hymn: To the Name of our salvation ("Oriel") (Listen)
Psalm 15: R./ He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord (BMP) (PDF)
Offertory hymn: O Bread of life, O Lord of love ("Duguet") (Listen)
Hymn during Communion: Sing, all creation ("Coelites Plaudant")
Recessional hymn: O praise ye the Lord ("Laudate Dominum") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

SUNDAY XV

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Listen) or recited (Gloria)
A Community Mass (Richard Proulx) (Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Amen and Agnus Dei)

ALLELUIA: Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB

The rest (numbers refer to the Ignatius Pew Missal):

Entrance hymn: #192 Love divine, all loves excelling ("Hyfrydol")
Psalm 19: R./ Your words, Lord, are spirit and life (BMP) (PDF)
- This is the second of two options given for this Sunday's Psalm.
Offertory hymn: #261 The King of love my shepherd is ("St. Columba")
Responsory during Communion: Ubi caritas (Mode VI/in Mass Guide)
- "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."  This is the passage that drew me to this responsory.  Where love and charity abide, there is God.  The translation of the verses are at #270 in the Pew Missal.
Recessional hymn: Ye holy angels bright ("Darwall's 148th/in Mass Guide) (Listen)

SUNDAY XIV, and "RETURN TO NORMALCY"

While we've been in the season known to many as "Ordinary Time" (or to some, perhaps, "Boring Time"), we're finally back to the numbered Sundays of the Year (or more literally, "through the Year", from the Latin "per Annum") after a string of Solemnities throughout June.  One might be quick to call it a "return to normalcy" (after the great seasons of Lent, Passiontide and Easter, plus several June solemnities).  "Return to normalcy" is the phrase attributed to President Warren Harding in 1920, after our nation going through World War I.

As our usual practice we have returned to the sung Ordinary of the Mass in English for the months of July, August (with the exception of our Italian Heritage Mass on August 2), September and October.

Also, you will see our Mass sheets streamlined, including the music for the Psalm response, the Alleluia and any hymns that are not in the Pew Missal.  Please take one of these as this is your guide.  And if you don't sing for whatever reason, I encourage you to pass it along to your friend (or at least, neighbor) who will.  Any hymns that are in the Pew Missal (in the case of this weekend, three of them) will be referenced in the guide (e.g., All people that on earth do dwell, Pew Missal, #80).

Given the Psalm response, Let all the earth cry out to God with joy, our entrance hymn begins, All people that on earth do dwell, sing to the Lord with cheerful voice..., using the classic hymn tune "Old Hundredth".  Ralph Vaughan Williams wrote an arrangement of the hymn for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953.  The first and final verses begin with fanfares that call for "all available trumpets".  In writing this, Vaughan Williams was asked to write a short motet for the Coronation.  Instead, "If you can persuade the Archbishop to have a hymn in the Coronation serivce," he quipped to the organist of Westminster Abbey, "I'll make a mess-up of 'Old Hundredth.'" (Source)

Speaking of Ralph (or "Raph", rhymes with "safe", depending on who you're talking to) Vaughan Williams, he wrote several other hymn tunes.  One of them, "Sine Nomine" (Latin for "Without Name"), is the tune to which we sang last week's entrance hymn, For all the saints.

One one of the several Facebook pages I frequent that are on the topic of church music, some have asked whether or not anyone is doing any "patriotic" music either the weekend before or after Independence Day (July 4, the day I just happen to be writing this post).  I opted for this weekend for two reasons: 1) the Fourth falls on a Friday this year, making this weekend a "three-day weekend", and 2) last weekend was the Solemnity of the Apostles Saints Peter and Paul, which took a much higher priority.  So, this weekend we will "double up" on the "patriotic" hymns - I vow to thee, my country as the meditation hymn after Communion and God of our fathers as the recessional.

So, without further ado...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Listen) or recited
A Community Mass (Richard Proulx) (Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Amen and Agnus Dei)

ALLELUIA: Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB

The rest:

Entrance hymn: #80 All people that on earth do dwell ("Old Hundredth") (Listen)
- The listen link is to the aforementioned "The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune", Ralph Vaughan Williams' "mess-up of Old Hundredth", complete with brass.  As the hymn was written for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, it was only fitting that his "mess-up" was encored for her 50th Anniversary of her Coronation.
Psalm 66: R./ Let all the earth cry out to God with joy (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)
Offertory hymn: #230 Praise, my soul, the King of heaven ("Lauda Anima") (Listen)
- The listen link here is one that pairs a majestic pipe organ with a digital organ.  The venue: the famed Methuen Music Hall in Methuen, Massachusetts.  The organs: the equally famed Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ and a smaller digital organ.  I don't quite remember if the digital organ was either a Rodgers or a Marshall & Ogeltree.  The two organists in this link were, sure enough, Douglas Marshall and David Ogeltree.  In addition to building their own digital product as "Marshall & Ogeltree", they were at one time the longtime New England distributor for Rodgers organs (our organ, incidentally, is a Rodgers).
Hymn during Communion: Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all (Mother Alexis Donnelly, RSM)
- See last week's post which mentions "Alexis Donnelly Way".
Meditation hymn: I vow to thee, my country ("Thaxted"/back page of Mass Guide) (Listen)
- The music for this stirring hymn comes from Gustav Holst's work, "The Planets", in particular, the movement, "Jupiter".  While the hymn is sung mainly in the United Kingdom and even in Canada, it is a very effective hymn here in the United States.
Recessional hymn: #139 God of our fathers ("National Hymn") (Listen)
- Written right here in the United States for our nation's Centennial in 1876.

Happy Independence Day weekend!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

SUNDAY XIII, er, I mean, SAINTS PETER AND PAUL

This Sunday we celebrate the sixth and final in a string of June solemnities that started with Pentecost, followed by Trinity, Corpus Christi, St. John the Baptist, Most Sacred Heart (our Patronal Feast), and now SS. Peter and Paul, which this year for the first time since 2008 falls on a Sunday, and as a subsequence trumps what normally would be the 13th Sunday of the Year.

Like the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (which was last Tuesday), there are two different Masses for SS. Peter and Paul - a Vigil Mass (Saturday) and a Mass of the Day (Sunday), thus the readings (including the Psalm) differ between the two Masses.  However, the hymns will be the same for both days.

That said...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Messa Popolare "Laus Tibi Christe" (Federico Caudana)
- Just like the Mass setting we sang throughout Easter season, the Memorial Acclamation and Amen are adaptations from parts of said Mass.  Incidently, this will be our Mass setting for the remainder of June.

Alleluia: Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB

The rest:

Entrance hymn: For all the saints ("Sine Nomine") (Listen)
Psalm 19 (Saturday): R./ Their message goes out through all the earth (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
Psalm 34 (Sunday): R./ The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
Offertory hymn: From all the saints in warfare ("St. Theodulph")
- Same tune as the Palm Sunday standard, "All glory, laud and honor".  A special verse specific for this feast is included today.
Music during Communion:
- Responsory (Saturday): Psalm 19, R./ O Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you, alleluia. (BMP/adapted from "Surgit in Haec Dies")
- Hymn (Sunday): Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all (Mother Alexis Donnelly, RSM)
- - There is a street named after Mother Alexis (Alexis Donnelly Way) in northern Cumberland, right near what used to be the Sisters of Mercy Chapel, which was home to a small but nice Casavant pipe organ.
Recessional hymn: Christian, do you hear the Lord ("Orientis Patribus") (Listen)
- The text of the hymn (remember, text = lyrics in the context of hymnody) is in the description.  This is Christ's conversation with Peter ("Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?").  The tune is a metrical adaptation of a chant tune which is also used with the Latin text "Concordi Laetitia" and its English counterpart, "Sounds of joy have put to flight", both hymns to Mary.

Happy feast!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (Corpus et Sanguis Christi)

I think I might have mentioned this bit of trivia that might be useless to some while others might remember, and had I not been experienced with the Extraordinary Form of the Mass (1962 Missal Traditional Latin Mass) at Holy Name in Providence, I might have never known either, but until the promulgation of the 1969 Missal (Ordinary Form of the Mass), Corpus Christi (the Body of Christ) and the Most Precious Blood were two seperate feasts.  In fact, Corpus Christi wasn't even on a Sunday back then, although some churches who do celebrate the Extraordinary Form will celebrate Corpus Christi on a Sunday as an "external solemnity".

Until 1969, Corpus Christi was celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, thus the following Sunday was simply the Second Sunday after Pentecost.  Thus, Corpus Christi was (and still is) a moveable feast that depends on the date of Easter.  The Most Precious Blood, however, was celebrated on the fixed date of July 1.

Since 1969, Corpus Christi has been celebrated on the Sunday after Trinity Sunday (or the Second Sunday after Pentecost), and the Most Precious Blood removed from the liturgical calendar, thus the new name for this Sunday given in recent years, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.  Interestingly enough, the 1974 Roman Gradual lists the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ as the Thursday after Trinity.  Turns out that, yes, it's on a Sunday in this country, but in many other countries, it's still on the Thursday.

That said, we will be singing Eucharistic-themed hymns today.  Even Alleluia! sing to Jesus! has a Eucharistic theme going in verses 3 and 4 with lines like "Alleluia! Bread of Angels, thou on earth our food, our stay" (verse 3), and "Thou on earth both Priest and Victim in the Eucharistic Feast" (verse 4).  Oh, and let's not forget verse 1, which ends "Jesus, out of every nation hath redeemed us by his Blood."

The recessional hymn is Holy God, we praise thy Name.  While the verses given don't mention the Eucharist particularly, this is the hymn that is customarily sung at many a Eucharistic Benediction as the Blessed Sacrament returns to the Tabernacle.  You'll find this in the inside back cover of the Ignatius Pew Missal.  However, the third verse (not found in the back cover) ends with "And adoring bend the knee while we own the Mystery!"

Also, at the 10 AM Mass, we will have a First Communion taking place! :)

And now, without further ado...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Messa Popolare "Laus Tibi Christe" (Federico Caudana)
- Just like the Mass setting we sang throughout Easter season, the Memorial Acclamation and Amen are adaptations from parts of said Mass.  Incidently, this will be our Mass setting for the remainder of June.

Alleluia: Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB

The rest:

Entrance hymn: Alleluia! sing to Jesus ("Hyfrydol") (Listen)
Psalm 110: You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek (BMP) (PDF)
Sequence: Lo! the angel's food is given (Mode V)
- NOTE: This is the short form, the last four verses of a much longer sequence, "Laud, O Sion, thy salvation" (which is 24 verses).  Thankfully (for many, I'm sure) the short form is an option.  In 1962 it was not!  In fact, since 1969, the sequence for this day is optional.  Before that, it was required!
Offertory hymn: Lord, who at thy first Eucharist didst pray ("Unde et Memores") (Listen)
Communion anthem: Panis Angeicus (Cesar Franck)
Meditation hymn: Tantum Ergo (Oreste Ravanello)
Recessional hymn: Holy God, we praise thy Name ("Grosser Gott") (Listen)

Don't forget next Friday, June 27, is our Patronal Feast (the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, a Solemnity).  We'll have Mass in the Church at 9:00 AM and "coffee an'" downstairs immediately following.

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY

The second of a series of six June solemnities, four of which fall on a Sunday this year, as well as one that is our parish patronal feast (that being the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 27).

Today's hymns, of course, focus on exactly what this Sunday is - the Most Holy Trinity.

Enough said there.  And so...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Messa Popolare "Laus Tibi Christe" (Federico Caudana)
- Just like the Mass setting we sang throughout Easter season, the Memorial Acclamation and Amen are adaptations from parts of said Mass.  Incidently, this will be our Mass setting for the remainder of June.

Alleluia: Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB

The rest (I doubt we really need listen links for these, but I'll furnish them anyways):

Entrance hymn: Holy, holy, holy ("Nicaea") (Listen)
- Again, I doubt we need a listen link, but the arrangement in this one is nifty.
Psalm 8: R./ O Lord, our God, how wonderful your Name in all the earth (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
Offertory hymn: O God, almighty Father ("Gott Vater, Sei Gepriesen") (Listen)
Communion music:
- (5:00) Responsory from Tobit 12 and 13, R./ Let us bless the God of heaven (BMP) (PDF)
- (10:00) Psalm 150 (Charles Villiers Stanford)
Recessional hymn: Holy God, we praise thy Name ("Grosser Gott") (Listen)

O most holy Trinity, undivided Unity, holy God, mighty God, God immortal, be adored!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

THE SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST

This weekend we finish off the Easter Season with the Solemnity of Pentecost, the first in a series of solemnities taking place in the month of June, a month dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  The series goes like this:

    June 8 (this Sunday): Pentecost, traditionally known as "Whitsunday"
    June 15 (next Sunday): The Most Holy Trinity
    June 22: The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally known as "Corpus Christi"
    June 24: The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (not a holyday of obligation, but still a solemnity)
    June 27: The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (always the Friday after Corpus Christi Sunday)                                     (Mass will be in the Church that day at 9 AM).  While not a holyday of obligation, it is
                    our parish's Patronal Feast.
    June 29: Saints Peter and Paul (trumps what normally would be Sunday XIII through the Year)

The Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, is always the day after Pentecost.  The Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is always the day after the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, this year falling on June 28.

On this weekend, the Solemnity of Pentecost, the Saturday Mass is the Vigil of Pentecost, with its own set of readings and propers.  There is an Extended Vigil and a Short Vigil.  The Extended Vigil has four Old Testament readings plus Epistle and Gospel.  Like the seven Old Testament readings in the Easter Vigil, each reading the Extended Vigil of Pentecost has its own Responsorial Psalm attached to it.  This Saturday, we will be using the Short Vigil, which, like any other normal weekend Mass, only the usual three readings (First, Second and Gospel) are read.  Any one of the four Old Testament readings may be chosen for the First Reading.  The Psalm is that attached to the fourth Old Testament reading, that is, Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth (Psalm 104).

There is also a Sequence that is chanted on Sunday (required), but omitted on Saturday.

Finally, congratulations to Mr. Michael Prew, who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at the 10 AM Mass this Sunday.  The confirmation name he chose is Francis.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Missa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi) (Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus)

- Memorial Acclamation and Amen are adapted from parts of the above Mass.

ALLELUIA "O Filii" (Mode II, arr. and versicle music BMP)

The rest...

Entrance hymn: Come, Holy Ghost ("Lambillotte")
- I really don't think we need a listen link for this one.

Psalm 104: R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth (Owen Alstott)

- NOTE: The same response applies for both the Vigil and Sunday Masses.  However, the versicles differ.

Sequence (Sunday only): Come, thou Holy Spirit, come (Mode I)

Offertory hymn: O breathe on me, thou breath of God ("St. Columba") (Listen)
- The tune is the same as the tune we sing for "The King of love my Shepherd is".

Communion hymn: Veni, Creator Spiritus (Mode VIII)

- On Sunday, the verses will alternate between the chant tune and that of Oreste Ravanello. Incentally, the entrance hymn, "Come, Holy Ghost", is a translation of select verses of "Veni, Creator Spiritus".
Meditation hymn: Regina Caeli (Mode VI/English and Latin)
- The final day of this Marian Antiphon
Recessional hymn: Creator Spirit, by whose aid ("St. Catherine") (Listen)

- The listen link is to the familiar hymn "Faith of our fathers".  The hymn we will be singing, "Creator Spirit, by whose aid" is the same tune.

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

ASCENSION THURSDAY and VII EASTER

I am pleased to be in a diocese that still celebrates the Ascension of the Lord on Thursday, and YES, it is still a holyday of obligation here in the northeast corner of the USA (and in Nebraska).

Masses for the Holyday are at 9 AM and 7 PM.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Missa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi) (Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus)

- Memorial Acclamation and Amen are adapted from parts of the above Mass.

ALLELUIA "O Filii" (Mode II, arr. and versicle music BMP)

The rest...

May 29 - The Ascension of the Lord (9 AM and 7 PM)

Entrance hymn: Hail the day that sees him rise ("Llanfair") (Listen)

Psalm 47: R./ God mounts his throne to shouts of joy, a blare of trumpets for the Lord (Robert E. Kreutz/Joseph Gelineau)

Offertory hymn: Crown him with many crowns ("Diademata") (Listen)

Responsory during Communion: Christus Vincit (BMP) (PDF)

Meditation hymn: Regina caeli (Mode VI/English and Latin)

Recessional hymn: Go, make of all disciples ("Ellacombe") (Listen)

June 1 - Sunday VII of Easter (Sat. 5 PM; Sun. 10 AM)

Check out this week's bulletin for a liturgical blurb about this Sunday's music.

Entrance hymn: Alleluia! sing to Jesus ("Hyfrydol") (Listen)

Psalm 97: R./ The Lord is King, the Most High over all the earth (Richard Proulx/Joseph Gelineau)

Offertory hymn: Lord, who at thy first Eucharist didst pray ("Unde et Memores") (Listen)

Responsory during Communion: Christus Vincit (BMP) (PDF)

Meditation hymn: Regina caeli (Mode VI/English and Latin)

Recessional hymn: Hail the day that sees him rise ("Llanfair")

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

VI EASTER

Today's hymns more or less reflect the season of Easter as it continues for this Sunday and two more, with Ascension falling in between (May 29).  Ascension, by the way, is a Holyday of Obligation.  Masses at Sacred Heart will be held at 9 AM and 7 PM on that day, both in the church.  I will post that music list in the early part of that week.

And now...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Missa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi) (Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus)

- Memorial Acclamation and Amen are adapted from parts of the above Mass.

ALLELUIA "O Filii" (Mode II, arr. and versicle music BMP)

The rest...

Entrance hymn: This joyful Eastertide ("Vreuchten") (Listen)

Psalm 67: R./ O God, let all the nations praise you (Sam Schmitt) (PDF)

Offertory hymn: The strife is o'er ("Victory") (Listen)

Hymn during Communion: Concordi Laetitia (Mode VI) (Listen)

Meditation hymn: I vow to thee, my country (Listen)

Recessional hymn: Sing we triumphant hymns of praise ("Lasst uns Erfreuen") (Listen)

- Same tune as "Ye watchers and ye holy ones", which we sang last weekend.

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

V EASTER and LONG LIVE THE POPE

With the election of Pope Leo XIV on a Thursday afternoon shortly after my office shift ended and Mass Guides already made, it was too late to program Long live the Pope last weekend (although I did play it as a postlude), especially considering last week was also known as Good Shepherd Sunday.  So while all the hype is still going on, Long live the Pope will be our recessional hymn this weekend.  Once should note, Father Bucci programmed it upon the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of Pope Francis.

That said...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Missa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi) (Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus)

- Memorial Acclamation and Amen are adapted from parts of the above Mass.

ALLELUIA "O Filii" (Mode II, arr. and versicle music BMP)

The rest...

Entrance hymn: Christ is alive ("Truro") (Listen)
- Same tune as "Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates"

Psalm 145: R./ I will praise your Name for ever, my King and my God (BMP) (PDF)

Offertory hymn: Ye watchers and ye holy ones ("Lasst uns Erfreuen") (Listen)

Music during Communion:

- Responsory: Psalm 80, R./ I am the true vine, you are the brances, alleluia. (BMP) (PDF)

- or Motet: Regina Caeli (Antonio Lotti)

Meditation hymn: Regina Caeli (Mode VI/English, followed by Latin)
Recessional hymn: Long live the Pope ("Papal Hymn") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

IV EASTER (Good Shepherd Sunday)

This Sunday at the 10:00 Mass, our First Communion student will crown the Blessed Mother during the entrance hymn, with other CCD students in procession as well.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Missa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi) (Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus)

- Memorial Acclamation and Amen are adapted from parts of the above Mass.

ALLELUIA "O Filii" (Mode II, arr. and versicle music BMP)

The rest...

Entrance hymn: Hail, holy Queen enthroned above ("Salve Regina Caelitum")

Psalm 100: R./ We are his people, the sheep of his flock (Theodore Marier)

Offertory hymn: At the Lamb's high feast we sing ("Salzburg") (Listen)

Music during Communion:

- Responsory: Psalm 23, I am the good shepherd, alleluia (BMP) (PDF)

- or Motet: Ave Maria (Lorenzo Perosi)

Meditation hymn: Regina Caeli (Mode VI/in Latin and English)

Recessional hymn: Crown him with many crowns (Listen)

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers who read this!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

III EASTER / C'EST LE MOIS DE MARIE

C'est le mois de Marie, French for This is the month of Mary, was a hymn often heard in churches in Woonsocket, including Precious Blood (where I was music director for eight years).  Each Sunday in May there will be at least one hymn or motet dedicated to Mary.  These may be lesser-known and will be sung during Communion, but Mary-themed just the same.

This week's Communion is Daily, daily, sing to Mary.  I included the music (tune is "Omni Die Dic Mariae", also known in German as "Alle Tage Sing und Sage") in this weekend's Mass guide (included with the bulletin), as well as the English verses.  There may be some Latin verses in alternation, but the English verses are there for you.  This is the tune used in most American hymnals that include Daily, daily.  In the United Kingdom, there is a tune simply titled "Daily, Daily".  I will improvise on that tune as part of the prelude and postlude at both Masses this weekend.

Feel free to grab a Mass guide and sing along.  If you don't like to sing, take one with you anyways and hand it to someone next to you who doesn't have one.  He/she might sing.  ;)

Enough said there.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Missa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi) (Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus)

- Memorial Acclamation and Amen are adapted from parts of the above Mass.

ALLELUIA "O Filii" (Mode II, arr. and versicle music BMP)

Entrance hymn: Jesus lives! thy terrors now ("St. Albinus") (Listen)

Psalm 30: R./ I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me (Theodore Marier)

Offertory hymn: Shepherd of souls ("St. Agnes") (Listen)

Hymn during Communion: Daily, daily, sing to Mary ("Omni Die")

- NOTE: English verses are in the Mass guide.  Latin verses may be sung in alternation.

Meditation hymn: Regina Caeli (Mode VI/in Latin and English)
Recessional hymn: He is risen, he is risen ("Unser Herrsher") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

LOW SUNDAY / QUASIMODO SUNDAY / DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY / II EASTER

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Missa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi) (Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus)

- Memorial Acclamation and Amen are adapted from parts of the above Mass.

Entrance hymn: Jesus Christ is ris'n today ("Easter Hymn")

Psalm 118: R./ Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love is everlasting (Owen Alstott)

Alleluia: O Filii et Filiae (Mode II/BMP) (PDF)

Offertory hymn: Ye sons and daughters ("O Filii et Filiae")

Hymn during Communion: Adoro Te Devote (Mode V)

Antiphon after Communion: Regina Caeli (English/Latin) (Mode VI)

Recessional hymn: We walk by faith ("St. Anne")

- NOTE: Tune is the same as "O God, our help in ages past."

Blessed Low/Quasimodo/Divine Mercy Sunday, and a most blessed Paschaltide!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

THE SACRED TRIDUUM through EASTER SUNDAY

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

April 17 - Holy Thursday of the Supper of the Lord (7 PM)

Entrance hymn: Lift high the Cross ("Crucifer")
Gloria: Messa Popolare "Laus Tibi Christe" (Federico Caudana)
Psalm 116: R./ Our blessing cup is a communion with the blood of Christ (BMP) (PDF)
Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ... (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
Offertory hymn: Ubi Caritas (Mode VI) (Listen)
Sanctus XVIII
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (ICEL chant)
Amen: single (do do-re)
Agnus Dei XVIII
Communion motet: Ave Verum (Lorenzo Perosi)
Solemn Translation of the Holy Eucharist: Pange Lingua (Mode III) (Listen)

April 18 - Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord (7 PM)

ALL ENTER IN SILENCE
Psalm 31: R./ Father, into your hands I commend my spirit (Theodore Marier)
Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ... (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
During the kneel/pause: Adoramus te, Christe (Theodore Dubois, from his Seven Last Words of Christ)
During the Adoration of the Holy Cross:
1. Vexilla Regis Prodeunt (Fr. Carlo Rossini, alternating with Mode I)
2. O sacred Head surrounded ("Passion Chorale")
At the throning of the Holy Cross, the refrain Christ Jesus, Victor (from "To Jesus Christ, our sov'reign King") is sung once.
Holy Communion:
As the Holy Eucharist is brought from the repository to the sanctuary in procession: Tantum Ergo (Oreste Ravanello)
At the Communion procession:
1. Adoro Te, O Panis Caelice (from Louvain)
2. Jesu, Salvator Noster (Fr. Carlo Rossini)
As the Holy Eucharist is returned to the repository: the Ravanello Tantum Ergo is repeated.
ALL DEPART IN SILENCE

April 19 - The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night (7 PM)

ALL ENTER IN SILENCE
Responsorial Psalms (Readings I, II, and III from the Old Testament are read):
I. Psalm 104: Lord, send out your Spirit... (Owen Alstott)
II. Psalm 16: You are my inheritance, O Lord... (BMP) (PDF)
III. Exodus 15: Let us sing to the Lord... (Theodore Marier)
Gloria: Missa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi)
Alleluia "O Filii" (Mode II/BMP) (PDF)
Litany of Saints: Missal chant
Rite of Sprinkling: Vidi Aquam (Joseph Gruber)
Offertory hymn: The day of Resurrection ("Ellacombe") (Listen)
Sanctus through Agnus: Missa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi)
- NOTE: The Memorial Acclamation "We proclaim your death, O Lord" and Amen are adapted from "Missa Cristo Risusciti".  As this Mass was published around 1938, there was no such thing as a Memorial Acclamation at that time.

Motet during Communion: O Sacrum Convivium (Roberto Remondi)
Meditation hymn: Regina Caeli (Mode VI in English and Latin) (Listen)
Recessional hymn: Jesus Christ is ris'n today ("Easter Hymn") (Listen)

April 20 - Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord (10 AM)

Entrance hymn: Alleluia, alleluia! Let the holy anthem rise ("Holy Anthem") (Listen)
Gloria: Missa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi)
Psalm 118: This is the day the Lord has made... (Owen Alstott)
Sequence: Christians, to the Paschal Victim (Mode I)
Alleluia "O Filii" (Mode II/BMP) (PDF)
Rite of Sprinkling: Vidi Aquam (from the Liber Cantualis, 1983)
From the Offertory to the end of Mass: same as at the Easter Vigil, except:
- Responsory during Communion: Psalm 118, Christ our Pasch... (BMP) (PDF)

Happy and blessed Easter!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD

I'm always amazed at the mood change within the Palm Sunday Mass.  We begin with the Lord's triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  There will be a prelude, and the liturgy begins with the blessing of the palms, the palms that were touted by the people that welcomed Christ the King.  The triumphant hymn  to Christ the King, All glory, laud and honor, is sung.  But then (thud!)  The mood swings from triumphant to solemn and somber.  We now go from the Lord's triumphant entry into Jerusalem to his Passion and death.  And hymns range from O sacred Head to Vexilla Regis to Sing my tongue ("Sweet the nails and sweet the wood, laden with so sweet a load!" sings verse 2, describing the Cross of Christ).

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Sanctus: Mass XVIII (5 PM); from Six Palm Sunday Acclamations (Schubert) (10 AM)

Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world... (ICEL chant)

Single amen

Agnus Dei XVIII

The rest:

Entrance antiphon:

- Hosanna Filio David (Mode VII) (5 PM)

- Pueri Hebraeorum from Six Palm Sunday Acclamations (Schubert) (10 AM)

Processional hymn: All glory, laud and honor ("St. Theodulph") (Listen)

Psalm 22: R./ My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (BMP) (PDF)

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord, Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)

Offertory hymn: O sacred Head surrounded ("Passion Chorale") (Listen)

- In your spare time, listen to the hymn, then listen to Paul Simon's "American Tune".  Yes, Paul Simon based his "American Tune" on the hymn tune "Passion Chorale". ;)

Communion hymn/motet: Vexilla Regis prodeunt (Mode I)

- At the 10 AM Mass, the verses alternate with those set by Fr. Carlo Rossini.

Recessional hymn: Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory ("Pange Lingua") (Listen)

- NOTE: This will be sung a capella.  The tune is that of the "Pange Lingua" that is usually sung at the end of Holy Thursday Mass (the solemn translation of the Holy Eucharist).  Further, there will be no postlude afterwards.

Quod scripsi, scripsi! (You'll soon hear those words in the Good Friday Passion - that is, What I have written, I have written!)
BMP

V LENT

Jesus: Has no one condemned you?
Woman who committed adultery: No one, sir.
Jesus: Nor do I condemn you.  Go and sin no more.

The mercy of Jesus in action!

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie XVII (or recited)
Sanctus and Agnus Dei XVII
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (Official ICEL chant)
Amen: single Amen sung on two notes: do do-re (A-men_), a capella.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (in lieu of Alleluia): Praise to you, Lord, Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)

HYMNS, etc.
Entrance hymn: At the Name of Jesus ("King's Weston") (Listen)
Psalm 126: R./ The Lord has done great things for us, we are filled with joy (Alfred Calabrese) (PDF)
Offertory hymn: Abide with me ("Eventide") (Listen)
Music during Communion:
- Responsory: Psalm 32, R./ I condemn you not; go and sin no more (BMP) (PDF)
- or Motet: Parce Domine (Fr. Carlo Rossini)
Recessional hymn: There is a green hill far away ("Horsley") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

IV LENT (Laetare Sunday) and THE PRODIGAL SON

This Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, is also known as "Laetare Sunday".  "Laetare" is one of two Latin words used in the liturgical calendar that mean "Rejoice".  The other is "Gaudete", which falls on the Third Sunday of Advent.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, there are no organ preludes or postludes during Lent except for Solemnities (e.g. St. Joseph's Day, Annunciation) or Laetare Sunday.  Therefore, we will have prelude and postlude before and after Mass this weekend only.  After that, no further prelude until Easter Sunday and no further postlude until the Easter Vigil.

The Gospel this weekend speaks of the prodigal son, who wanted his share of his inheritance, then took off and squandered it.  Much of today's hymnody reflects that, including Amazing grace ("I once was lost but now am found..."), which is our entrance hymn.  We also have a classic from the St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book, My God, my Father, while I stray (the title says it all) during Communion, and Our Father we have wandered (opening pair of lines: "Our Father, we have wandered and hidden from your face, in foolishness have squandered your legacy of grace") as the recessional hymn.  This hymn, which we last sung on Ash Wednesday, is sung to the familiar tune, Passion Chorale, which is also used with O Sacred Head surrounded, a Passiontide staple.

So this leads us to (drum roll, please):

MUSIC AT HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie XVII (or recited)
Sanctus and Agnus Dei XVII
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (Official ICEL chant)
Amen: single Amen sung on two notes: do do-re (A-men_), a capella.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (in lieu of Alleluia): Praise to you, Lord, Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)

HYMNS, etc.
Entrance hymn: Amazing grace ("New Britain")
- You really don't need a listen link for "Amazing grace", do you?
Psalm 34: R./ Taste and see the goodness of the Lord (BMP) (PDF)
Offertory hymn: I sought the Lord ("Artavia") (Listen)

Hymn during Communion: My God, my Father, while I stray ("Thy Will Be Done") (Listen)
Recessional hymn: Our Father, we have wandered (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP