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.
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
