SUNDAY XXVI and LAST WEEK'S 10:00 MISADVENTURES

For the next few weeks I will be putting my personal electric keyboard on loan to Sacred Heart Church.

Those who came to the 10:00 Mass last Sunday was treated (for lack of a better term) to a capella singing.  About ten minutes before Mass, I customarily began my prelude when the organ (a Rodgers Trillium 807 installed brand new in 2001) started making some weird noises, a combination of whistle-like sounds and sounds as if the organ was losing air pressure (something belonging to a pipe organ, however, this organ is not pipe, it's digital, although the pipe case of the old Kilgen organ is still standing prominently in the choir loft).  I quickly ended the prelude in the most diplomatic way I could and shut the organ off.  After about ten seconds, I turned the organ back on, and the organ completely froze.  The welcome screen was lit, but blank, the lights for the great expression shoe were all lit, and the lights for the swell expression shoe were all off (I'll explain expression shoes in another post), although both shoes were open only about a third of the way.  I could not open any stops or press any pistons (the buttons that turn on pre-set combinations).  I couldn't even shut the organ back off.  The only way it shut off was when Ashley tripped the breaker for it.

This morning Paul and I (mostly Paul as I had to print and fold bulletins yet) got a visit from David Ogeltree from Rodgers Organs of New England in Needham, Massachusetts.  They are THE authorized Rodgers sales and service reps for this region.  The organ needs a considerable amount of work - two digital voice module boards (isn't technology wonderful? ha ha!) to be replaced, the pedalboard (the keyboard for the feet) needs to be rebuilt, possibly two "daughter cards" for the voice module.

Safe to say, my digital keyboard will be in use for a few weeks until the Rodgers organ can get repaired.

I have to say, David Ogeltree is a highly skilled organist, as is his business partner, Doug Marshall (Doug was, for a time, Alex Peloquin's accompanist at the Cathedral in Providence).  The two, in addition to selling and servicing Rodgers organs, are also builders of digital organs in their own right.  All of their organs (branded as Marshall & Ogeltree) thus far are large scale (three- and four-manual) instruments, intended for larger churches.

Before I go into this weekend's music list, I invite you to click here to listen to Doug Marshall and David Ogeltree at the Methuen Memorial Music Hall in Methuen, Massachusetts.  David is on the four-manual Aeolian Skinner pipe organ, the Music Hall organ, while Doug is on the three-manual Rodgers digital organ.  The two play (and the audience sings) the hymn, Praise, my soul, the King of heaven (a hymn we've sung at times here at Sacred Heart).  Enjoy!

And now...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (or recited, celebrant's discretion)

Sanctus and Agnus Dei: People's Mass (Jan Vermulst) (Listen)
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (ICEL chant)

Amen: Danish Amen

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Pew Missal, page 248

Psalm 146: R./ Praise the Lord, my soul (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)

Alleluia: Chant, Mode VI

HYMNS, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Maroon hymnal, #326 To the Name of our salvation ("Oriel") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: Pew Missal, #265 There's a wideness in God's mercy ("In Babilone") (Listen)

Music during Communion:

- responsory: Psalm 119, R./ Remember your word to your servant, O Lord (Adam Bartlett)
- or motet: O sacrum Convivium (Roberto Remondi)

Recessional hymn: Maroon hymnal, #600 Ye holy angels bright ("Darwall's 148th") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!

BMP

SUNDAY XXV

And today we're back to "normalcy" (quoting Warren Harding), but only "for a time" (quoting Father Bucci) as we return to numbered Sundays of the Year.  Come November there will be two consecutive Sundays that go unnumbered (and I'm not even counting Christ the King).  November 2 and 9 are All Souls Day (formal name: The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed) and the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.  I'll post more on those before the time comes.

That said, let's jump to...

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (or recited, celebrant's discretion)

Sanctus and Agnus Dei: People's Mass (Jan Vermulst) (Listen)
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (ICEL chant)

Amen: Danish Amen

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Pew Missal, page 246

Psalm 113: R./ Praise the Lord, who lifts up the poor (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)

Alleluia: Chant, Mode VI

HYMNS, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Maroon hymnal, #343 Praise to the holiest in the height (first tune/"Newman") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: Maroon hymnal, #431 In heav'nly love abiding ("Nyland") (Listen)

Hymn during Communion: Red Worship hymnal, #632 Those who love and those who labor ("Dohmnach Trionoide") (Listen)

Recessional hymn: Maroon hymnal, #288 O worship the King ("Hanover") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

It's been a long time since September 14 fell on a Sunday - 11 years, for that matter.  The reason I say that:  September 14 is the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, which is considered a Feast in the liturgical calendar.  Now, while most Feasts do not trump the regularly numbered Sunday of the year like Solemnities do, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is one that does.  So, as the networks say when a special is about to air on TV, "The Twenty-Fourth Sunday of the Year will not be seen this Sunday so we can bring you the Exaltation of the Holy Cross."

That said:

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (or recited, celebrant's discretion)

Sanctus and Agnus Dei: People's Mass (Jan Vermulst) (Listen)
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (ICEL chant)

Amen: Danish Amen

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Pew Missal, page 244

Psalm 78: R./ Do not forget the works of the Lord (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)
Alleluia: Chant, Mode VI

HYMNS, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Pew Missal, #253 Take up thy cross ("Breslau") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: Red Worship, #433 When I survey the wondrous cross ("Rockingham") (Listen)

Motet during Communion: Adoramus te, Christe (Theodore Dubois)

- The translation is something we proclaim at the beginning of every Station of the Cross, "We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee, because by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world."

Recessional hymn: Pew Missal, #183 Lift high the Cross ("Crucifer") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

SUNDAY XXIII, "PEOPLE'S MASS" RETURNS and THE CROSS IN SONG

At long last, the return of People's Mass by Jan Vermulst!  Now that I think of it, in my short stint at Sacred Heart way back when (January-April 1989), we were singing People's Mass.  This time, it returns, and with the proper adaptation in the Sanctus for the 2011 Missal translation (the Agnus Dei remains the same).

Click here to listen to the Sanctus and Agnus Dei from People's Mass.

For these next two weekends, we will be singing Cross-themed hymns (two this weekend, three next weekend).  In addition, the Memorial Acclamation Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free will be sung for September and October.  In this weekend's Gospel according to Luke, Jesus tells is disciples, "Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."  In addition, the following Sunday (September 14) is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, one of those feasts which, while not a Holyday of Obligation when on a weekday, takes place over the 24th Sunday of the Year when on a Sunday.

A funny note: When I was working at a church in Tiverton, a visiting priest came to say Mass.  I don't remember what year (was either 2005, 2006 or 2007 - Year A, B or C, respectively, and yes, "taking up your cross" was also rendered in Gospel readings according to Matthew and Mark; Luke's rendition is this year) - but nonetheless, two of the hymns just happened to be two of the hymns we will be singing these next two weeks.  At the end of Mass, the visiting priest exclaimed (in a not-so-happy tone), "I feel like I'm in LENT!"  Hint for the locals: this priest made a few records and one could often see him with his signature 12-string guitar, especially in nearby Massachusetts.

That said:

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (or recited, celebrant's discretion)

Sanctus and Agnus Dei: People's Mass (Jan Vermulst)
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (ICEL chant)

Amen: Danish Amen

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Pew Missal, page 242

Psalm 90: R./ In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge (BMP)
Alleluia: Chant, Mode VI

HYMNS, etc.:

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

Offertory hymn: Pew Missal, #253 Take up thy cross ("Breslau") (Listen)

Communion music:

- Responsory: Psalm 76, R./ Make your vows unto the Lord and accomplish them (BMP)
- or Motet: Like as the hart (Vincent Novello)

Recessional hymn: Pew Missal, #183 Lift high the Cross ("Crucifer") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

SUNDAY XXII, "COMING NEXT WEEK" and "ORDINARY VS. PROPER"

Next week: People's Mass, as I mentioned in last week's post.  Last Monday, I had some time and recorded an instructional video from the organ bench.  I later played this for the two ladies that were counting the money from last weekend's collections and they were very familiar with the melodies of both the Sanctus and Agnus Dei from People's Mass.  Click here for a sneak preview of the Mass.

The Memorial Acclamation next week should be no stranger: Save us, Savior of the world, for by your cross and resurrection you have set us free, which we have sung before.  Why did I select this?  Next Sunday's Gospel reading (September 7, that is) tells about "taking up your cross", and the following Sunday (September 14) is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, one of those feasts that replaces the regularly numbered Sunday of the Year when it does fall on a Sunday.

Finally, that reminder of "Ordinary" vs. "Proper": The Ordinary of the Mass is that set of elements that are the same at every Mass.  This includes items like the Kyrie, Gloria, Creed, Sanctus, etc.  The Proper of the Mass is that set of elements that change from day to day.  This includes the readings, the Responsorial Psalm, the Alleluia and certain prayers like the Collect (just before the Readings begin), the Prayer over the Gifts (once known as the "Secret"), and the Post-Communion Prayer.

That said: here it is...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, unless recited)
A Community Mass (Richard Proulx) (Sanctus through Agnus) (for a final time till next year)

PROPER OF THE MASS:
Psalm 68: R./ God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor. (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
Alleluia: Mode VI

HYMNS, etc.
Entrance hymn: Pew Missal, #104 Christ is made the sure foundation ("Westminster Abbey") (Listen)
- Nifty trumpet fanfares in this listen link, courtesy of St. Paul's Cathedral, London, England.
Offertory hymn: Maroon hymn: #455 How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds ("St. Peter") (Listen)
Communion music:
- Responsory: Psalm 71, R./ O Lord, I will be mindful of your justice alone (BMP) (PDF)
- or motet: Cantate Domino canticum novum (Vincent d'Indy)
Recessional hymn: Pew Missal, #268 To Jesus Christ, our sov'reign King ("Ich Glaub an Gott") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

SUNDAY XXI

COMING SOON:  On the weekend of September 7 (Sunday XXIII), we will "revive" a Mass setting that was used mainly in the 1970s and 1980s.  That is, the Sanctus and Agnus Dei from Jan Vermust's People's Mass.  Written in 1970, I used this particular Sanctus and Agnus when I was organist/choir director here during the early part of 1989 (I was 24 then - 61 now!  Tempus fugit!).  While the Agnus Dei text remained the same when the Mass was re-translated in 2011, the first line of the Sanctus, of course, changed, and has been musically adapted accordingly by the publisher (World Library Publications) 17 years after the composer's death.  We will also revive the Danish Amen.  This will begin in two weeks and will continue through September and October.

Hymns today taken mostly from the archives of hymns selected for this day by the late great Fr. Bucci!

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, unless recited)

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

ALLELUIA: Mode VI

Hymns, etc

Entrance hymn: Pew Missal, #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 117 R./ Go out to all the world and tell the good news (Mode V, adapted by BMP) (PDF)

- The music is adapted from a chant some may remember: "Adoremus in aeternum Sanctissimum Sacramentum" (Forever we adore the Most Blessed Sacrament).  This is the chant traditionally sung after Benediction, when the Monstrance is being returned to the Tabernacle.

Offertory hymn: Maroon hymnal, #585 Jerusalem, my happy home ("Land of Rest") (Listen)

- Neat little Early American tune!

Anthem during Communion: O esca viatorum (Johann Michael Haydn) (Listen)

Recessional hymn: Pew Missal, #137 Go, make of all disciples ("Ellacombe") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!

BMP

THE THREE DAY WEEKEND

Let's start with this Friday - August 15 - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - a Holyday of Obligation.  We have Mass at 10 AM in the Church, followed by coffee an' downstairs in the hall.  See?  Come to Mass on the Holyday and get rewarded! ;)

Then the weekend - Sunday XX through the Year!

On Friday and on the weekend, we will be singing the hymn Tell out, my soul (Red Worship, #534).  This is a paraphrase the joyful hymn that Mary sang when visiting Elizabeth, who at the time was carrying John the Baptist in her womb.  That hymn is the Magnificat, and is proclaimed in Luke's Gospel on Friday.

    Magnificat anima mea Dominum, et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo.

Which translates:

    My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

That said:

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, unless recited)

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

ALLELUIA: Mode VI

Hymns, etc

August 15 - Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Friday, 10 AM)

Entrance hymn: Red Worship, #702 Hail, holy Queen enthroned above ("Salve Regina Caelitum") (Listen)
Psalm 45: R./ The queen stands at your right hand arrayed in gold (BMP) (PDF)
Offertory hymn: Pew Missal, #215 O Sanctissima ("Sicilian Mariners") (Listen)
- The listen link here comes from a Christmas album my parents had when I was growing up (yes, "O Sanctissima" can be sung year round), this nifty little arrangement is sung by the Roger Wagner Chorale, and most likely arranged by Roger Wagner himself.
Responsory during Communion: Magnificat, R./ All generations shall call me blessed (BMP) (PDF)
Meditation hymn: Pew Missal, #236 Salve Regina (Mode V) (Listen)
Recessional hymn: Red Worship, #534 Tell out my soul ("Woodlands") (Listen)

August 16/17 - Sunday XX (Saturday, 5 PM and Sunday, 10 AM)

Entrance hymn: Maroon hymnal, #315 We gather together ("Kremser") (Listen)
Psalm 40: R./ Lord, come to my aid (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
Offertory hymn: Pew Missal, #128 Faith of our fathers ("St. Catherine") (Listen)
Communion Motet: Panis angelicus (Cesar Franck)
Recessional hymn: Red Worship, #534 Tell out my soul ("Woodlands") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

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