This Sunday we sing Alleluia for one last Sunday, as we approach the penitential season of Lent (Ash Wednesday, March 5, is less than a week away). In keeping with tradition, some of our hymns and anthems today will contain ample Alleluias, sending them off with a bang. The Gloria will also be put away after this Sunday, but will make a cameo on March 19 (the Solemnity of Saint Joseph), a return on Holy Thursday, and a triumphant return at the Easter Vigil. The Alleluia will be gone completely until the Vigil of Easter, in celebration of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
So, what are the replacements for these? Well, the Gloria is omitted completely. Not even said, let alone sung. The Alleluia is replaced by a Gospel Acclamation. There are a few options for the Gospel Acclamation. They are:
- Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. (the one we'll be singing during Lent)
- Praise and honor to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
- Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ.
- Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
- Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.
The format of this is the same as the Alleluia, whereas, the cantor intones the acclamation, the people repeat it, the cantor sings a verse, and the people repeat it one last time.
In the Extraordinary Form of the Mass (1962 Roman Missal) and even in the Ordinary Form of the Mass in parishes that use the Roman Gradual for the Proper chants, the Alleluia is replaced by a Tract - basically a Psalm or excerpt from a Psalm. Unlike the modern Gospel Acclamation, the Tract is often as short as two Psalm verses, and as long as eighteen Psalm verses (the Tract for the First Sunday of Lent, the entire Psalm 91).
All numbers given are in the red Worship hymnal.
Gloria: recited, or Mass VIII
Remainder of the Ordinary of the Mass: Community Mass, music by Richard Proulx
This is the last Sunday of this Ordinary for a while!
Entrance hymn: Praise, my soul, the King of heaven, #530 (Listen)
- Each verse has two alleluias!
- The listen link here has about as much entertainment value as it does educational value. There are two organs playing in this video. One is the Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ housed at the venue, the Methuen Music Hall in Methuen, Massachusetts. The other is a Rodgers digital organ. The two organists are Douglas Marshall and David Ogeltree, owners of the Marshall/Ogeltree Organ Company of Needham, Massachusetts. At the time of the video (2009), Marshall/Ogeltree was the local sales representative of Rodgers organs. Our organ at Sacred Heart is a Rodgers.
Psalm 62: Rest in God alone, my soul, music by Richard Rice. (Score)
Alleluia: music by Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB (last round!)
Offertory hymn: O God, our help in ages past, #579 (Listen)
Communion anthem:
(Saturday 5:00) Let the whole creation cry (tune: "Llanfair")
- The tune is quite familiar, as it is used in such hymns as Hail the day that sees him rise and Praise the Lord, his glories show. The text is based on Psalm 148, and is found in the hymnal Hymns, Psalms, and Spiritual Canticles, the brainchild of Theodore Marier, who I have mentioned in previous posts on this blog. Each line of verse ends with Alleluia! So, although you don't have the words handy, feel free to belt out the Alleluia!
(Sunday 7:30) an organ improvisation based on Dulce Carmen
- Alleluia! Dulce Carmen, or Alleluia! song of gladness, a hymn traditionally sung on the Sunday before Lent (or in the Extraordinary Form, the Sunday before Septuagesima).
(Sunday 9:00 and 11:15) Festive Alleluia, music by Gordon Young
- The text of this choral piece contains two short excerpts: one inspired by the Credo, and the other by the Gloria Patri, sandwiched in between multi-fold Alleluias!
Meditation hymn: Ave Maria (Chant, Mode I), #713 (Listen)
- The singing on this listen link begins at about the 1:15 mark.
Recessional hymn: Ye watchers and ye holy ones, #707
- As little as five and as many as seven alleluias per verse!
ASH WEDNESDAY; III-5-14
Masses: 9 AM, 12 Noon, 6:30 PM
Masses: 9 AM, 12 Noon, 6:30 PM
A sudden change of atmosphere. Green vestments are traded in for violet. The Alleluia and Gloria are gone. There is a little bit taken off the sound of the organ (to sound a little "darker", somewhat).
Sung Ordinary of the Mass: Mass XVIII (the simple chants that we've sung many times) for the Sanctus and Agnus Dei; the chant Save us, Savior of the World (Listen) as the Memorial Acclamation (our response to Mysterium Fidei, or The Mystery of Faith), and the chant Amen (based on the beginning of the Sanctus from Mass VIII)
Entrance hymn: Lord, who throughout these forty days, Maroon, #59
Entrance hymn: Lord, who throughout these forty days, Maroon, #59
Psalm 51: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned, music by Providence's own C. Alexander Peloquin, Worship #1091
Gospel Acclamation (replaces Alleluia): Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, music by yours truly, based on the Mode I chant Vexilla Regis Prodeunt.
Offertory hymn: Our Father, we have wandered, Worship #755
- Same tune as O sacred Head, surrounded
Communion hymn: Attende, Domine, Worship #414
Music for the distribution of ashes: Parce, Domine, music by Carlo Rossini
- Any time left over will be filled by soft organ improvisation, based on penitential themes.
Peace,
BMP
Offertory hymn: Our Father, we have wandered, Worship #755
- Same tune as O sacred Head, surrounded
Communion hymn: Attende, Domine, Worship #414
Music for the distribution of ashes: Parce, Domine, music by Carlo Rossini
- Any time left over will be filled by soft organ improvisation, based on penitential themes.
Peace,
BMP
