Now is the accepted time. Now is the day of salvation.
It is that season where we prepare for the Lord's Passion, Death and Resurrection, where we repent our sins, those very sins for which the Lord's death and resurrection has saved us. I remember working at one parish where one alto in the choir once said at rehearsal, "I hate Lent music. It's so depressing." Well, not all church music is meant to be happy. It should be known, however, that the only music that she thinks should be sung at Mass are "campfire songs written by some guy with a guitar and a marshmallow stick in his mouth" (Fr. Bucci's famous words, LOL).
Nonetheless, there is a mood change in the music for the season, not only in the hymns/responses themselves, but in the way they are executed. Traditional rules call for no organ at all during Lent, except on solemnities or feasts or on Laetare Sunday (the Fourth Sunday of Lent). Of course, liturgical directives have changed a few times around since 1969 and much of tradition is not followed at all. The compromise these days is to only use the organ to support singing (whether it be by the congregation or by a choir). That means NO prelude, NO postlude. For some, unfortunately (and I've seen this), is to substitute the piano for the organ.
For that reason, I have decided that during Lent I will not be playing a prelude or postlude, except for two occasions - March 19 (the Solemnity of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary) and the weekend of March 29/30 (the Fourth Sunday of Lent, that is, Laetare (or "Rejoice") Sunday). This is a practice for me that I haven't used since my days in Tiverton (2004-2007), and it's high time I used it. I will also take on my usual practice of taking a little bit off of the organ - not a complete softening of the instrument - but maybe eliminate a reed stop where I usually use one, and/or eliminate a "mixture" (usually 3-4 bright stops at different pitches serving as one rank) where I might usually use one.
And now, without further ado...
MUSIC AT HOLY MASS
March 5 - Ash Wednesday (9 AM and 7 PM)
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie XVI (or recited)
Sanctus and Agnus Dei XVIII
- Mass XVIII, as I mentioned in a previous post, is the Mass intended for weekdays of Advent and Lent.
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (Official ICEL chant)
The Amen will be just a single Amen sung on two notes: do do-re (A-men_), a capella.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (in lieu of Alleluia): Praise to you, Lord, Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
HYMNS, etc.
Entrance hymn: Lord, who throughout these forty days ("St. Flavian") (Listen)
- Probably the most familiar of all the Lenten seasonal hymns we've ever sung!
Psalm 51: R./ Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
Music during the Imposition of Ashes: Parce, Domine (Chant, Mode I or a setting by Fr. Carlo Rossini, depending on voice availability)
Offertory hymn: Our Father, we have wandered ("Passion Chorale") (Listen)
- Same tune as "O sacred Head surrounded", thus the tune name, "Passion Chorale".
Communion responsory: Attende, Domine (Chant, Mode V) (Listen)
- Rough translation of the refrain: Hear us, O Lord, and have mercy, for we have sinned against you.
Recessional hymn: O merciful Redeemer (Listen)
- This is the same tune as a patriotic hymn we sometimes use, "I vow to thee, my country". Eventually, another hymn, "O God, beyond all praising" will be introduced using this tune, probably when we return to "Ordinary Time".
March 9 - First Sunday of Lent
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie XVII (or recited)
Sanctus and Agnus Dei XVII
- Mass XVII, as I mentioned in a previous post, is the Mass intended for Sundays of Advent and Lent.
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (Official ICEL chant)
The Amen will be just a single Amen sung on two notes: do do-re (A-men_), a capella.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (in lieu of Alleluia): Praise to you, Lord, Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
HYMNS, etc.
Entrance hymn: Praise to the Holiest in the height ("Newman") (Listen)
Psalm 91: R./ Be with me, Lord, when I am in trouble (response music by C. Alexander Peloquin, versicle music by Pérè Joseph Gelineau, SJ)
Offertory hymn: Shepherd of souls ("St. Agnes") (Listen)
- Special attention to the second verse, "We may not live by bread alone, but by thy word of grace..." and its allusion to the Alleluia verse of the day. This also shows up in the Gospel, as Jesus' response to one of the many temptations made by Satan.
Communion hymn: My song is love unknown ("Love Unknown") (Listen)
Recessional hymn: Lord, who throughout these forty days ("St. Flavian")
Reminder (to all, including myself in case I brain-fade): NO PRELUDE OR POSTLUDE on either day!
Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP
