EASTER AND THE VIGIL

Music will be enhanced by our brass trio at the Easter Vigil, and at the 9:00 and 11:15 Masses on Easter Sunday.

7 PM; III-30-13 - THE EASTER VIGIL

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Exsultet (Easter Proclamation): Roman Missal chant, sung by yours truly (in English)

- The text is in the missalette, in the Easter Vigil section.  There is a brief dialogue between cantor and congregation (Lift up your hearts/We lift them up to the Lord, etc.), same melody as the dialog of the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer that Fr. Bucci normally leads.

- The Exsultet may be sung by a priest, deacon, or cantor.

Of the seven Old Testament readings, the first three are proclaimed.  The music to the Responsorial Psalms that follow all three of these readings can be found in the missalette on the pages corresponding to these readings.

Gloria: Messa "Cristo Risuciti", music by Luigi Picchi

- Note: the music to this Mass is based on a tune normally associated with Paschal Time.  That tune, normally associated with the hymn Christ the Lord is risen again, is known in Latin as Surgit in Haec Dies, and in German as Christ ist Erstanden.  This Mass setting will be in use throughout the Paschal Season.

Alleluia: refrain from the chant hymn O Filii et Filiae (O Sons and Daughters), a Mode II processional that originated in Paris.  This will be the alleluia used before the Gospel for the duration of the Easter Season, including Pentecost.

Litany of Saints: Roman Missal chant, found in the missalette in the baptismal section of the Vigil.

Music during the Sprinkling of Holy Water (after the Renewal of Baptismal Promises): Vidi Aquam, music by Joseph Gruber.

- Translation: I saw water flowing from the temple, from the right side, alleluia.  And all to whom this water came were saved and shall say: Alleluia, alleluia.

- How many remember chanting the Asperges Me on Sundays in the traditional Latin High Mass?  Well, during Paschal Time, the Asperges Me was replaced by the Vidi Aquam.

Offertory hymn: Maroon 98 That Easter Day with joy was bright (Listen)

- Tune is exactly the same as What Star Is This, which we sang at the Epiphany

Sanctus: Messa "Cristo Risuciti", music by Luigi Picchi

Memorial Acclamation and Amen: adapted from Surgit in Haec Dies, on which Messa "Cristo Risuciti" is based.  The Memorial Acclamation is in English, using the first option: We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your resurrection, until you come again.

Agnus Dei: Messa "Cristo Risuciti", music by Luigi Picchi

Communion anthem: Festive Alleluia, by Gordon Young

Meditation hymn: Worship 443 Regina Caeli, in Latin and English (There is only one verse of each)

Recessional hymn: Maroon 85 Jesus Christ is ris'n today 

III-31-13 - EASTER DAY

MASSES AT 7:30, 9:00, AND 11:15 AM

Entrance hymn: Maroon 96 The day of Resurrection (Listen)

Gloria: same as at the Vigil, see above

Responsorial Psalm: This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad, music in the missalette, under Easter Sunday

Sequence: Victimae Paschali Laudes, music in the missalette, chanted in Latin (translation provided)

- One of only three sequences used in the modern liturgical calendar.  The other two are used at Pentecost and at Corpus Christi.

Alleluia: same as at the Vigil, see above

Everything from the Sprinkling Music to the end: same as at the Vigil, see above

Peace,
BMP

GOOD FRIDAY

7 PM; III-29-13

MUSIC FOR THE SOLEMN LITURGY
OF OUR LORD'S PASSION AND DEATH

All enter in silence.

Responsorial Psalm: Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit, music by Richard Rice



Gospel Acclamation: same as during Lent

Music during the "kneel and pause" during the Passion reading: Adoramus Te, Christe, music by Theodore Dubois, from his Seven Last Words of Christ 

- Translation: We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee, because by Thy holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world.  (We sang this at the pause on Palm Sunday also, something I forgot to mention.)

Choral music during the Veneration of the Cross (as time permits):

1. Parce, Domine, music by Fr. Carlo Rossini

2. God so loved the world, music by Sir John Stainer

3. Jesu, salvator noster, music by Fr. Carlo Rossini

As the Cross is being enthroned, the following refrain is sung:

Christ Jesus Victor, Christ Jesus Ruler, Christ Jesus Lord and Redeemer! 

Music during Communion (as time permits):

1. Ave Verum, music by Camille Saint-Saëns

2. HYMN: Maroon 75 O Sacred head, sore wounded

3. Tantum Ergo, music by Oreste Ravanello

- You may follow the Worship hymnal (#758) for the text, but the music is different than what is written.  A translation is also provided there.

Meditation hymn: Maroon 467 Abide with me (Listen)

All depart in silence.

HOLY THURSDAY

7 PM; III-28-13

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Numbers listed are from the red Worship hymnal.

Entrance hymn: 704 Lift high the cross

Gloria: Messa Populare "Laus Tibi Christe", music by Federico Caudana
- part of the Mass setting we did back in November

Responsorial Psalm: Our blessing cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ, music by yours truly

  

Gospel Acclamation: same as during Lent

Offertory hymn: 733 At that first Eucharist (Listen)

Sanctus through Agnus Dei: same as on the Sundays of Lent

Communion:

- 1. Adoro Te, O Panis Caelice, music from Louvain, Belgium

- - Prose translation: I adore Thee, O Bread of Heaven, O Lord, O God Most High.  Holy, holy, holy, holy without end, For ever be glory to Thee in the Sacred Host.  Remember us, Thy servants, O Lord, and always feed us by Thy grace.  (Holy, holy...Sacred Host).  

- 2. Ecce Panis Angelorum, 17th century melody, arranged by Fr. Carlo Rossini

- - Prose translation: Behold the Bread of Angels, made the Food of wayfarers, Truly the bread of children, not to be given to the dogs.  Good shepherd, true Bread, Jesus, have mercy on us: Feed us, protect us, Make us to see good things in the land of the living.

There is no meditation hymn.

Solemn Translation (Transfer) of the Holy Eucharist: Pange Lingua, music by Fr. Carlo Rossini

- - You may use the Worship hymnal (#813) for the text (however, the music is different than what is written).  There is a translation with it.

There is no recessional hymn.  All depart in silence, or even better, spend some time with our Eucharistic Lord in Adoration, which will run until 10 PM.

Peace,
BMP

PALM SUNDAY

The music for the 5:00 PM Mass this Saturday and the 9:00 and 11:15 AM Masses this Sunday will be embellished by our brass trio (trumpet, flugelhorn, and French horn), as well as our regular singers (soprano and alto, with added tenor).

The 7:30 AM Mass will be, as per usual, the trio of me, myself, and I.

Also, the parish is having a bake sale after ALL the Masses this weekend!

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

The hymn at the Procession of the Palms and the Offertory hymn are taken from the maroon hymnal.

The Recessional hymn is taken from the red Worship hymnal.

Entrance chant:

- At the 7:30 Mass: Hosanna Filio David, sung to the Mode VII chant tune.

- - Translation: Hosanna to the Son of David.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  O King of Israel.  Hosanna in the highest.

- At all other Masses: Pueri Haebraeorum, with brass, music by Franz Schubert, from his "Six Palm Sunday Acclamations"

- - Translation: The children of the Hebrews went to meet the Lord, crying out and saying, "Hosanna in the highest."

Hymn at the Procession (after the first Gospel): Maroon 62 All glory, laud, and honor  (Listen)

Gospel Acclamation: same as the Sundays of Lent

Offertory hymn: Maroon 75 O sacred head, sore wounded

Sanctus:

- At the 7:30 Mass: from Missa Populare "Laus Tibi Christe", music by Federico Caudana

- - We did this Mass setting back in November.

- At all other Masses: from Six Palm Sunday Acclamations, music by Franz Schubert

- - The "Hosanna in excelsis" lines are sung to the same melody as the "Hosanna in excelsis" line of the aforementioned Pueri Haebraeorum.

Memorial Acclamation: When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again, adapted from excerpts of the Gloria from the "Laus Tibi Christe" Mass.

Amen: The same triple "Amen" that ends the Gloria from the "Laus Tibi Christe" Mass.

- We also sang the Memorial and Amen throughout November as well.

Agnus Dei: also from the "Laus Tibi Christe" Mass

- this is the same tune as the Kyrie that we've been using throughout Lent.

Communion anthem: God so loved the world, by Sir John Stainer (from The Crucifixion)

- God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoso believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.  

Recessional hymn: Worship 497 To Jesus Christ, our sov'reign King

Peace,
BMP

SAINT JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF MARY

III-19-13 (Tuesday) at 9 AM
Also, Pope Francis is formally installed!!!

Also, after Mass, go down to the hall and get some zeppoles.  (Did I spell that right?)

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Numbers given are in the Red (Worship) hymnal.

Entrance hymn: 693 Joseph, be our guide and pattern (Listen)

- Same tune as another hymn we do, To the Name of our salvation.  However, we don't sing this tune as slowly as on the link provided. ;)

Kyrie: same as on the Sundays of Lent

Gloria (if sung): Mass VIII

- Normally the Gloria is omitted during Lent.  That is, except on solemnities, such as this.

Responsorial Psalm: The Son of David will live for ever, music by yours truly (Listen)

- This is the same tune as another antiphon we've used with the same Psalm, For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Gospel Acclamation: same as on the Sundays of Lent

Offertory hymn: 694 Come now, and praise the humble saint (Listen)

- Some may be familiar with another hymn that uses this early American tune.  That hymn is Jerusalem, my happy home.  The name of the tune is Land of Rest.

Sanctus through Agnus Dei: same as on the Sundays of Lent

Communion hymn: 488 Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All 

Recessional hymn: Long live the Pope (on the sheets provided in the pew rack)

- We sang this on Sunday March 17.

Peace,
BMP

SUNDAY V OF LENT

and HABEMUS PAPAM!

Jorge Mario Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina is now Pope Francis (some say Pope Francis I, but the "I" may not be necessary until a Francis II surfaces).  Anyways, Francis will be shepherding our Church as of now.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Numbers refer to the Maroon hymnal.

Entrance hymn: 342 Jesus, Name all names above 

Kyrie: same as the last few Sundays

Responsorial Psalm: The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy, music by Alfred Calabrese.

Gospel Acclamation: same as the last few Sundays

Offertory hymn: 337 When I survey the wondrous cross 

Sanctus through Agnus Dei: same as the last few Sundays

Communion anthem: Parce Domine, music by Fr. Carlo Rossini

- Fr. Rossini wrote many easy and short choral pieces, as well as brief preludes, offertories, and postludes for the organ.  Many of those organ pieces were part of his The Liturgical Organist series.  Fr. Rossini was also organist and choirmaster at St. Paul's Cathedral in Pittsburgh, PA, in the early 20th century.

Meditation hymn: 462 (First tune) Jesus, the very thought of thee (Listen)

Recessional hymn: Long Live the Pope, not in either hymnal, but text and music will be provided.

- A couple of Sundays ago, I used this piece instrumentally as the postlude after Mass as a thanksgiving to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.  This weekend, we will be singing this in honor of our new Holy Father, Pope Francis.  (Listen - if you click the "show more" link, you will find the lyrics.  However, we will be singing a different middle verse.)

Peace,
BMP

SUNDAY IV OF LENT

Laetare Sunday, III-10-13

This Sunday is somewhat of a counterpart to what Gaudete Sunday is in Advent.  Both "Gaudete" and "Laetare" are Latin words meaning "Rejoice", and are the first word of the Introit (or "Entrance Chant") for their respective Sundays ("Gaudete in Domino semper"/"Rejoice in the Lord always" for the Third Sunday of Advent, and "Laetare, Jerusalem"/"Rejoice, O Jerusalem" for the Fourth Sunday of Lent).  While the celebrant (never the "presider") normally wears violet vestments on the Sundays of Advent and Lent, the celebrant wears rose vestments on the "Rejoice" Sundays.  Such is the case for this Sunday, the Fourth in Lent.

Here is the Introit, translated:
Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and gather round, all ye who love her; rejoice in gladness, after having been in sorrow; exult and be replenished with the consolation flowing from her motherly bosom.

Even the Psalm verse that accompanies the above Introit speaks of rejoicing:

I rejoiced when it was said unto me: "Let us go unto the house of the Lord."

On a musical note, some keener ears may have noticed that I have taken a little bit off the organ during Lent, dignified, but perhaps not as bold or as grand as those ears would hear during those Sundays of, let's say, Ordinary Time.  This is my attempt to keep with the season - just enough to support singing without sounding too ferial, or perhaps funereal.  Traditionally, much of the music during Lent is sung a capella.  One of the old Proper books I had made note that the organ was to be silent during Lent, except for Laetare Sunday.

Therefore, this Sunday, we will revert to the tones you heard just before Ash Wednesday when accompanying the hymns.  Then, on the Fifth Sunday, back to lesser tones.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

All numbers refer to the Maroon hymnal.

Entrance hymn: 340 We sing the praise of him who died (Listen)

- This is the best listen link I could come up with.

Kyrie: same as previous three Sundays

Responsorial Psalm: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord, music by yours truly

Gospel Acclamation: same as previous three Sundays

Offertory hymn: 405 I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew (Listen)

- Our rendition will not be as slow or dirge-like.  ;)

Everything from the Sanctus through the Agnus Dei, plus the Meditation and Recessional hymns, are all the same as last Sunday.

Communion anthem: My God, my Father, while I stray, music by A.H. Troyte and Nicola Montani

Peace,

BMP