Traditionally known as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, on its fixed date of February 2, takes the place of the regularly numbered (in this case, Fourth) Sunday of Ordinary Time when it falls on a Sunday.
The liturgy for the Presentation of the Lord begins in a way somewhat similar to the way that the liturgy for Palm Sunday begins, that is, something is blessed, then there is a procession. In the Palm Sunday liturgy, the priest and ministers enter to a short chant, the palms are blessed, a short Gospel is read, and a grand procession takes place during which a hymn is sung. Mass continues with the collect. In the liturgy for the Presentation of the Lord, a short chant is sung, candles are blessed (no extra Gospel reading), then a procession takes place during which a hymn is sung. Mass continues with the Gloria.
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
Ordinary of the Mass: Messa Populare "Laus Tibi Christe", music by Federico Caudana (the setting we sang last Fall), for this special Feast.
Entrance chant: The Lord will come, Worship #1023
Hymn at the Procession: Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates, Maroon #484
Responsorial Psalm: Who is this King of glory? It is the Lord!, music by Owen Alstott
- The melody is as written in the missalette along with the readings for February 2.
Alleluia: same as last Sunday (music in Worship, #360)
Offertory hymn: Hail to the Lord who comes, Maroon #115 (Listen)
Communion anthem: Nunc dimittis, music by Christopher Upton
- except 7:30 AM, at which there will be an organ improvisation.
- It wasn't until just less than a week ago that I learned that I am 14-1/2 years older than the composer (courtesy of the organist/choirmaster of a parish in Norwalk, CT, who I know via none other than Facebook, that is also using this same setting)!
- The Nunc Dimittis, proper to the liturgy of the Presentation of the Lord, is also used for Compline (Night Prayer), just as the Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel is used for Lauds (Morning Prayer) and the Magnificat is used for Vespers (Evening Prayer).
Meditation hymn: In his temple now behold him, hymn section of missalette #139
- sung to the same hymn as the Tantum Ergo that we use most.
Recessional hymn: O Sion, open wide thy gates, Maroon #116 (Listen)
Peace,
BMP
