THE MOST SACRED EASTER TRIDUUM and EASTER SUNDAY

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

April 2 - Holy Thursday of Supper of the Lord (7 pm)

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Messa Popolare "Laus Tibi Christe" (Federico Caudana) (Gloria)

Mass XVIII (Sanctus/Agnus Dei)

Save us, Savior of the world... (ICEL chant) (Memorial Acclamation)

Single amen (do do-re)

PROPER OF THE MASS
Readings begin on page 127 in the Pew Missal.

Psalm 116: R./ Our blessing cup is a communion with the blood of Christ (BMP) (PDF)

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Pew Missal, #183 Lift high the cross ("Crucifer") (Listen)

- Fanfare courtesy of Holy Cross Cathedral, Boston, MA, Richard J. Clark, organist/director.

Offertory hymn: Worship hymnal, #598 Ubi caritas (Mode VI) (Listen)

- The appointed proper Offertory for Holy Thursday.
Motet during Communion: Ave Verum (Lorenzo Perosi)
Hymn during the Solemn Translation of the Holy Cross: Pew Missal, #226, Pange Lingua (Mode III)

  (Listen)

- The hymn appointed for this time according to the Roman Missal and the Graduale Romanum.  Verses 1-4 are sung, repeating if necessary, until the Holy Eucharist reaches the Repository.  At that time, verses 5-6 (Tantum ergo) are sung.

All depart in silence or remain silently for Adoration.  The church will be open until 10 PM.

April 3 - Good Friday of Passion of the Lord (7 pm)

All enter in silence.  The liturgy begins on page 132 in the Pew Missal.

Psalm 31: R./ Father, into your hands I commend my spirit (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Music during the Adoration of the Holy Cross:

1. Vexilla Regis prodeunt (Mode I/Fr. Carlo Rossini) - settings sung in alternation

2. Maroon hymnal, #71 Ah! holy Jesus ("Herzliebster Jesu") (Listen)

Music during Communion:

1. Adoro te, O Panis caelice (from Louvain)

2. Jesu, Salvator noster (Fr. Carlo Rossini)

All depart in silence.

April 4 - The Easter Vigil in the Holy Night (7 pm)

All enter in silence.  The liturgy begins on page 142 in the Pew Missal.

(after Reading I) Psalm 104: R./ Lord, send out your spirit... (Owen Alstott)

(after Reading II) Psalm 16: R. / You are my inheritance, O Lord (BMP)

(after Reading III) Exodus 15: R./ Let us sing to the Lord... (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)

Gloria: Messa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi)

Alleluia "O Filii" (Mode II/arr. and V. by BMP)

Renewal of Baptismal Promises: Vidi Aquam (Joseph Gruber)

Offertory hymn: Pew Missal, #258 The day of Resurrection ("Ellacombe") (Listen)

Sanctus through Agnus Dei: Messa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi) and adaptations thereof.

Motet during Communion: O sacrum Convivium (Roberto Remondi)

Meditation hymn: Regina caeli (Mode VI/text in English and Latin in bulletin)

Recessional hymn: Pew Missal, #172 Jesus Christ is ris'n today ("Easter Hymn") (Listen)

April 5 - Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord (10 am)

Entrance hymn: Pew Missal, #83 Alleluia, alleluia! let the holy anthem rise ("Holy Anthem") (Listen)
Gloria: Messa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi)

Psalm 118: R. / This is the day the Lord has made... (Owen Alstott)

Sequence: Christians, to the Paschal Victim (Mode I)

Alleluia "O Filii" (Mode II/arr. and V. by BMP)

Renewal of Baptismal Promises: Vidi Aquam (Joseph Gruber)

From the Offertory to the end: same as the Easter Vigil, above.

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

V LENT (Last Sunday) and PALM SUNDAY (This Sunday), and TWO PASSION SUNDAYS? WHAT???

Forgot to post last week's music.  My bad.

Many in this age may not realize this, but traditionally there are TWO Passion Sundays.  The Fifth Sunday of Lent (last Sunday), until the Mass (including the Lectionary) underwent its 1969 alteration, was known as the "First Sunday of the Passion" (or "Passion Sunday").  Palm Sunday was also known as the "Second Sunday of the Passion".

In the First Sunday of the Passion, Jesus confronts a crowd of Jews who imply that he might be a "devil", and question that he's "not even fifty years old yet, but he's already seen Abraham???"  Of course, Jesus stood up to them, saying "Abraham came to be, therefore I am."  He managed to escape a stoning.

The modern Mass ("Novus Ordo" or "Ordinary Form") has a three-year liturgical cycle of readings.  Last Sunday, we heard the Gospel depicting another passion - that is, the death of Jesus' good friend, Lazarus.  When Jesus got to the tomb of Lazarus, he cried out, "Lazarus, come out!"  And he did come out, hands and feet bound, though he had been dead for four days.  A happy ending of sorts for that day.

Palm Sunday has a triumphant beginning, but a somber ending.  It starts with Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where the crowds cheer, "Hosanna to the Son of David!  Hosanna in the highest!" to a somber ending: Jesus put to death on the Cross.  From there we have to wait till Easter till we can rejoice again.

In the modern liturgy (three-year rotation), we read the Passion according to St. Matthew this year.  Next year, St. Mark.  Last year, St. Luke.  The Good Friday Passion is always that according to St. John.  In the traditional calendar (same readings every year), the St. Matthew Passion is read on Palm Sunday, St. Mark on the Monday of Holy Week, and St. Luke on the Tuesday of Holy Week.  Wednesday is traditionally known as "Spy Wednesday", in which Judas handed Jesus over to be arrested and put to death by crucifixion (for 30 silver pieces).

SO:

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

March 22 - Fifth Sunday of Lent

Also the second anniversary of the death of our beloved fearless pastor, Father Richard A. Bucci.

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Mass XVII (Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei)
Save us, Savior of the world (Memorial Acclamation/ICEL chant)
Single Amen (do do-re)

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings are on page 114 in the Pew Missal.

Psalm 130: With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption (BMP)

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Maroon hymnal, #340 We sing the praise of him who died ("Breslau")

Offertory hymn: Maroon hymnal, #190 Let thy blood in mercy poured ("Jesu, Meine Zuversicht")

- Tune also known as "Luise" in some hymnals, including the Maroon hymnal.

Hymn during Communion: We give immortal praise ("Love Unknown")

Recessional hymn: Worship hymnal, #433 When I survey the wondrous cross ("Rockingham")

Now here's where this gets interesting...

March 29 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Sanctus: (5:00) Mass XVIII / (10:00) from Six Palm Sunday Acclamations (Franz Schubert)
Save us, Savior of the world (Memorial Acclamation/ICEL chant)
Single Amen (do do-re)

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings are on page 117 in the Pew Missal.

Psalm 22: My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (BMP)

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance antiphon:

(5:00) Hosanna Filio David (chanted in Latin/Mode VII)

(10:00) Pueri Hebraeorum (from Six Palm Sunday Acclamations/Franz Schubert)

Hymn during the Procession: Pew Missal, #78 All glory, laud and honor ("St. Theodulph") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: Pew Missal, #213 O sacred Head surrounded ("Passion Chorale") (Listen)

- The choir in this listen link is singing this at the tempo it should be sung: slow and deliberate.  This highlights the "Passion" feel, plus the passing tones that J.S. Bach used in the harmony can be heard nicely.
- On a secular note: listen to "O sacred Head", then listen to "American Tune" by Paul Simon.  Simon used the tune of "O sacred Head" as the base for his "American Tune".

Hymn during Communion: Maroon hymnal, #71 Ah! holy Jesus ("Herzliebster Jesu") (Listen)

Recessional hymn: Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory ("Pange Lingua") (Listen)

- This is one of two "Pange Lingua" texts.  This one, passion themed, is a translation from a "Pange Lingua" by Venantius Fortunatus.  The other, which will be sung on Holy Thursday, is a translation from the more famous "Pange Lingua" by St. Thomas Aquinas, which ends with the "Tantum Ergo."  The tune for both is the same.

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

IV LENT (LAETARE SUNDAY)

Laetare, Latin for "Rejoice", as begins this day's introit: Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and all who love her!  Be joyful, those in mourning!  Exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast!

The man born blind now can see.

All three of today's hymns (entrance, offertory, and recessional) have some kind of reference to opening the eyes of the blind.  I'll point these out within the music list.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Mass XVII (Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei)
Save us, Savior of the world (Memorial Acclamation/ICEL chant)
Single Amen (do do-re)

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings are on page 111 in the Pew Missal.

Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want (Owen Alstott)

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Worship hymnal, #486 God, whose almighty word ("Italian Hymn") (Listen)

- Verse 2: Thou who didst come to bring on thy redeeming wing healing and sight, health to the sick in mind, sight to the inly blind, now unto all mankind let there be light.
- Tune is the same as "Come, thou almighty King"

Offertory hymn: Worship hymnal, #583 Amazing grace ("New Britain")

- Verse 1: I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

- I doubt we need a listen link for "Amazing Grace".  ;)
Motet during Communion: Jesu, salvator noster (Fr. Carlo Rossini)

Recessional hymn: Worship hymnal, #750 Your hands, O Lord, in days of old (Listen)

- Verse 1: To you they went, the blind, the mute, the palsied and the lame...; Verse 2: And then your touch brought life and health, gave speech and strength and sight...

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

III LENT

Lord, you are truly the Savior of the world.  Give me living water that I may never thirst again. (John 4:42, 15, this Sunday's verse to the Gospel Acclamation, which are also excerpts from today's Gospel reading.)

These passages drew me to today's offertory hymn I heard the voice of Jesus say (Pew Missal, #161), as the second verse alludes to them.

    I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Behold I freely give

    The living water, thirsty one, Stoop down, and drink and live."

    I came to Jesus, and I drank Of that life giving stream;

    My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in him.

That said, I now present to you:

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Mass XVII (Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei)
Save us, Savior of the world (Memorial Acclamation/ICEL chant)
Single Amen (do do-re)

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings are on page 108 in the Pew Missal.

Psalm 95: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts (Owen Alstott)

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Maroon hymnal, #342 Jesus, Name all names above ("St. Theoctistus") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: Pew Missal, #161 I heard the voice of Jesus say ("Kingsfold") (Listen)

- I generally play this tune a tad slower, but couldn't resist posting the fanfare from Boston.  I have to admit that I wasn't expecting a "Picardy third" at the end, that is, when a hymn is in a minor key, but the final chord is major.

Communion anthem: My God, my Father, while I stray (Nicola Montani/A.H. Troyte)

Recessional hymn: Maroon hymnal, #65 There is a green hill far away (first tune/"Horsley") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

II LENT (aka in some circuits, "Transfiguration Sunday")

Each year on the Second Sunday of Lent, one of the evangelists (this year, Matthew) gives an account of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Though the actual feast of the Transfiguration falls on the fixed date of August 6, the Gospel echoes that theme this Sunday.

Today's hymns reflect the Transfiguration theme as well.  The seasonal hymn, The glory of these forty days, mentions Moses and Elijah in the second verse.  The middle verses of today's offertory hymn, Fairest Lord Jesus, depict the dazzling brightness of the garments of Christ.  Finally, today's recessional hymn, O wondrous type..., gathers all the elements of today's Gospel reading in the first three verses. 

That said:

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Mass XVII (Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei)
Save us, Savior of the world (Memorial Acclamation/ICEL chant)
Single Amen (do do-re)

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings are on page 106 in the Pew Missal.

Psalm 33: Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you (Richard Proulx/Pérè Joseph Gelineau, SJ)

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Pew Missal #260 The glory of these forty days ("Erhalt Uns, Herr") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: Pew Missal #127 Fairest Lord Jesus ("St. Elizabeth") (Listen)

- I take this just a tad slower.
Hymn during Communion: Pew Missal #247 Soul of my Savior ("Anima Christi") (Listen)

Recessional hymn: Maroon hymnal, #119 O wondrous type, O vision fair ("Wareham") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

ASH WEDNESDAY and I LENT

During Lent, with the exception of the Fourth Sunday (Laetare Sunday, March 15) and St. Joseph Day (Thursday, March 19), the following two rules are observed:

    1. I take a little bit off the organ.  It may not sound like much, but some brighter stops are put

        to less use (e.g., using only the swell mixture where normally the great mixture would be used

        or taking off a brighter principal stop).

    2. There will be no prelude or postlude (that is, the instrumental music before and after Mass).
        So if you don't hear any music before the entrance hymn, rest assured of two things: 1. I did
        show up to Mass, ready to do my work, and 2. I did not fall asleep. ;)

The liturgical norm during Lent, except for the Fourth Sunday and Solemnities, is that the organ should only be used to support singing.

With that, I present to you...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Ash Wednesday (February 18, 9 AM and 7 PM)

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Mass XVIII (Sanctus and Agnus Dei)
Save us, Savior of the world (Memorial Acclamation/ICEL chant)
Single Amen (do do-re)

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings are on page 98 in the Pew Missal.

Psalm 51: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned (C. Alexander Peloquin)

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Maroon hymnal, #59 Lord, who throughout these forty days ("St. Flavian")

Responsory during the Imposition of Ashes: Parce, Domine (Mode I/BMP)

Offertory hymn: Worship hymnal, #755 Our Father, we have wandered ("Passion Chorale")

- Same tune as the Passiontide staple, "O Sacred Head Surrounded"

Responsory during Communion: Worship hymnal, #414 Attende, Domine (Mode V)

Recessional hymn: Maroon hymnal, #55 Forty days and forty nights ("Heinlein")

Sunday I of Lent (February 22)

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Mass XVII (Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei)
Save us, Savior of the world (Memorial Acclamation/ICEL chant)
Single Amen (do do-re)

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings are on page 103 in the Pew Missal.

Psalm 51: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned (C. Alexander Peloquin)

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Maroon hymnal, #343 Praise to the Holiest in the height ("Newman"/first tune)
- This hymn alludes to the original sin of Adam (and Eve, too - it takes two to tango), which is cited in both the first and second readings of the day.

Offertory hymn: Maroon hymnal, #213 Shepherd of souls ("St. Agnes")

- That allusion to not living by bread alone explains my use of this hymn on I Lent.

Responsory during Communion: Parce, Domine (Mode I/BMP OR Fr. Carlo Rossini)

Recessional hymn: Maroon hymnal, #59 Lord, who throughout these forty days ("St. Flavian")

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

THE REMAINDER OF WINTER "GREEN SEASON" and "PUTTING THE ALLELUIA AWAY" REVISITED

Sorry I've been a bit lax on posting the music for Mass the last couple of weeks.  Two weeks ago, I just totally forgot.  Last week, I was waiting to see what the weather was going to give us.  I think many of us can agree that this is the worst winter in this area since 2015.  If you remember that year, for six weeks solid in February and even March, we got one snow storm after another.  One storm gets plowed out, the next one would come in almost immediately after, and each of these storms gave us six inches or more of snow.  This year, it seems like the snow likes to hit us on weekends, Sundays especially.

Before I print the lists for the past two weeks and this coming week, here is a blurb from last year (adapted for this year) about "putting the Alleluia away".

Today we enter the Sixth Sunday of the Year, or, the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.  In addition to hymns that may align with the day's Scripture, we also tend to use hymns that include the word "Alleluia" multiple times per verse.  The recessional hymn for this weekend fits that description well.  That hymn is Ye watchers and ye holy ones, which contains six to seven alleluias per verse.  The postlude following the hymn, albeit organ only, is Festive Alleluia by Gordon Young, in which the primary theme is "Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, amen!"

On that Sunday, or even on Tuesday (Mardi Gras), some churches have a ritual for "burying" or "putting away" the Alleluia, which often includes a hymn, namely one called Alleluia, song of gladness.  In the case of St. John Cantius Church in Chicago, a church that has a little of everything - Mass in English (Ordinary Form, of course) as well as Mass in Latin in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Form - the Alleluia (on a plaque) is carried to its "place of repose" (just like the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday), then "buried" under the cloth of the side altar, then incensed.  See for yourself!  

        Alleluia, song of gladness, Voice of joy that cannot die;

        Alleluia is the anthem Ever dear by choirs on high;

        In the house of God abiding Thus they sing eternally.

        Alleluia, thou resoundest, True Jerusalem and free;

        Alleluia, joyful mother, All thy children sing with thee;

        But by Babylon's sad waters Mourning exiles still are we.

        Alleluia cannot always Be our song while here below;

        Alleluia our transgressions Make us for a while forgo;

        For the solemn time is coming When our tears for sin shall flow.

        Therefore in our hymns we pray thee, Grant us, blessèd Trinity,

        At the last to keep glad Easter In our home beyond the sky,

        There to thee for ever singing Alleluia joyfully.

Notice how in that hymn tells us that we must for a time be mournful - mournful of our sins - mournful for the trials of Christ leading from his being tempted in the desert until his Passion and death - until the day of his Resurrection, at which we can sing "Alleluia!" once again.

On a lighter note, when I was music director at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Providence, we used to have a Mass on the day before Ash Wednesday (you know, Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday), followed by a "Bring Your Most Fattening Dessert" coalition in the school hall.  Needless to say, my wife Ann would bring her own brand of Reese's peanut butter cups.  MMMMM!  They were so good, and usually amongst the first items to be devoured by those in attendance!  Many other delicious treats brought in as well!

The next day, of course, was Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting!

And now, without further ado...

 

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Gloria and Memorial Acclamation: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria may be recited or sung, according to the celebrant's discretion)

Sanctus and Agnus Dei: People's Mass (Jan Vermulst) (Listen)
Amen: Dresden Amen

Sunday IV - February 1

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Pew Missal, page 91

Psalm 146: R./ Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs. (Richard Rice)

Alleluia I for Ordinary Time (BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Pew Missal, #113 Come, thou almighty King ("Italian Hymn")
Offertory hymn: Maroon hymnal, #344 O love, how deep, how broad, how high ("Deus Tuorum Militum")

Communion hymn: Worship hymnal, #581 God is my great desire ("Leoni")

Recessional hymn omitted.  The blessing of throats took place instead.

Sunday V - February 8

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Pew Missal, page 94

Psalm 112: R./ The just man is a light in darkness to the upright. (BMP) (Listen)

- The listen link is from a Mass that took place this past Sunday at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.  I am happy to say that most of the Psalm settings sung there come from the pen of yours truly.  Fast forward to about the 14-minute mark and you'll hear this Sunday's Psalm setting in action with their excellent choir.

Alleluia I for Ordinary Time (BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Pew Missal, #128 Faith of our fathers ("St. Catherine")

Offertory hymn: Maroon hymnal, #570 O Jesus, I have promised (second tune/"Day of Rest")

Communion anthem: Panis Angelicus (Cesar Franck)
Recessional hymn: Maroon hymnal, #288 O worship the King ("Hanover")

Sunday VI - February 15

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Pew Missal, page 96

Psalm 119: R./ Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord. (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)

Alleluia I for Ordinary Time (BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Maroon hymnal, #340 We sing the praise of him who died ("Breslau") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: Maroon hymnal, #405 I sought the Lord ("Artavia") (Listen)

Communion hymn: Pew Missal, #226 Pange lingua (Mode III) (Listen)

- This listen link contains the text in Latin, Polish and English.

Recessional hymn: Pew Missal, #287 Ye watchers and ye holy ones ("Lasst uns Erfreuen") (Listen)

Postlude (organ): Festive Alleluia (Gordon Young)

Now THAT'S putting the Alleluia away with a bang!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!

BMP

SUNDAY III

"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men!" The base of this Sunday's recessional hymn, Go, make of all disciples.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Gloria and Memorial Acclamation: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria may be recited or sung, according to the celebrant's discretion)

Sanctus and Agnus Dei: People's Mass (Jan Vermulst) (Listen)
Amen: Dresden Amen

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Pew Missal, page 89

Psalm 27: R./ The Lord is my light and my salvation. (Richard Proulx/Joseph Gelienau, SJ)

Alleluia I for Ordinary Time (BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Maroon hymnal, #326 To the Name of our salvation ("Oriel") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: Pew Missal, #92 At the Name of Jesus ("King's Weston") (Listen)

Music during Communion:

- Responsory: Psalm 34, R./ Look toward the Lord and be radiant... (Adam Bartlett)

- or Motet: Cantate Domino canticum novum (Vincent d'Indy)

Recessional hymn: Pew Missal, #137 Go, make of all disciples ("Ellacombe") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

BACK TO "GREEN SEASON" - SUNDAY II

Most people hear the word "green" these days in an ecological sense.  "Going green" as in "saving the planet" and related causes.

"Going green" takes a different meaning when it comes to gaming. My wife Ann for a long time played an online computer game called "Toontown" (yes, adults play this game too), though after her longtime "Toontown" partner died, she hasn't played as much.  But anyhoo, "Going green" in "Toontown" has a negative spin to it.  It means that your character ran out of energy and died.

To help demonstrate my age, "Sesame Street" was in its premiere season when I was in kindergarten (or as we called it then, "junior first"), and occasionally the teacher would wheel the TV into the classroom.  Kermit the Frog used to sing this song during that season called It Ain't Easy Being Green.

It really ain't easy being green (and contrary to popular opinion and proper grammar, "ain't" is a word in my dictionary).  Unless you've been experienced with the liturgical calendar (most likely as a priest, catechist or even a musician in a Catholic church), you may not know what to expect as to the "theme" of a given day's Mass, that is, what Scripture gives us for the day during what is often known as the "green season", that is, Ordinary Time, or, in fidelity to what the Roman Missal calls it in Latin, "Time through the Year" (literal translation).

What gives Ordinary Time the "green season" nickname is not "going green" in an ecological sense or even in a gaming sense.  It's not being that famous "Sesame Street" frog who went on to host "The Muppet Show".  In the liturgical sense, green is the vestment color worn by the priest celebrating Mass during Ordinary Time.  And considering Advent only has four Sundays, Lent five Sundays, Easter eight Sundays (including Easter Sunday itself and Pentecost), and Ordinary Time has 32 Sundays (numbered 2-33, Week 1 begins on the day after the Baptism of the Lord, which is a Monday or Tuesday, and Sunday 34 is Christ the King, in which the priest wears white), The priest wears a green vestment for Mass for more than half the Sundays throughout the liturgical year.

Two "seasonal hymns" in "green season"???

In last week's Gospel reading (Baptism of the Lord), we heard Matthew's account of John the Baptist's announcment that Jesus is coming to be baptized.  In this week's Gospel reading (Sunday II through the Year), we hear John's account of the same.  We begin today's Mass with the hymn On Jordan's bank, which begins "On Jordan's bank the baptist's cry announces that the Lord is nigh."  Though On Jordan's bank is often considered an Advent hymn (the second verse definitely has Advent themes), it is really fitting for the Baptism of the Lord and even this Sunday.

Another hymn that may appear to be off-season also fits well, Songs of thankfulness and praise (normally fitting for Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord), with its second verse which begins, "Manifest at Jordan's stream, Prophet, Priest and King supreme."  

That said...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Gloria and Memorial Acclamation: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria may be recited or sung, according to the celebrant's discretion)

Sanctus and Agnus Dei: People's Mass (Jan Vermulst) (Listen)
Amen: Dresden Amen

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Pew Missal, page 87

Psalm 40: R./ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. (Richard Proulx/Joseph Gelienau, SJ)

Alleluia I for Ordinary Time (BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Maroon hymnal, #10 On Jordan's bank ("Winchester New") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: Maroon hymnal, #213 Shepherd of Souls ("St. Agnes") (Listen)

Music during Communion:

- Responsory: Psalm 20, R./ We shall rejoice in your salvation (BMP)

- or Anthem: In thee is gladness (Giovanni Giacomo Gastoldi)

Recessional hymn: Pew Missal, #246 Songs of thankfulness and praise ("Salzburg") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

THE EPIPHANY AND BAPTISM OF THE LORD

OOPS!  I dropped the ball as to blogging last weekend's music selections for the Epiphany of the Lord (a solemnity).  So I am including them here along with this weekend's music selections for the Baptism of the Lord a feast).

So, without further ado...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS (both weekends):

Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus Dei: Mass of the Shepherds (Pietro Yon)

- NOTE: For most Masses, the key will be adapted to be congregation-friendly.

Memorial Acclamation: Mortem tuam annuntiamus, Domine... (Jubilate Deo chant)

Amen: Dresden

January 4 - The Epiphany of the Lord

PROPER OF THE MASS:
Readings begin on page 82 in the Pew Missal.
Psalm 72: R./ Lord, every nation on earth will adore you (BMP)
Alleluia "Divinum Mysterium" (Mode V, adapted by BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Pew Missal, #259 The first Nowell (Trad. English)

Offertory hymn: Pew Missal, #278 We three kings of Orient are ("Kings of Orient")
Responsory during Communion: Psalm 72, R./ We have seen his star in the east... (Adam Bartlett)

Recessional hymn: Maroon hymnal, #52 As with gladness men of old ("Dix") (Listen)

- The tune name, "Dix" is named after the author of "As with gladness...", William Chatteron Dix.  Another well-known hymn, "For the beauty of the earth", is often sung to this tune.

January 11 - The Baptism of the Lord

PROPER OF THE MASS:
Readings begin on page 85 in the Pew Missal.
Psalm 29: R./ The Lord will bless his people with peace (Gregory Evans)
Alleluia "Divinum Mysterium" (Mode V, adapted by BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: Maroon hymnal, #10 On Jordan's bank ("Winchester New") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: Pew Missal, #181 Let all mortal flesh keep silence ("Picardy") (Listen)

- This gorgeous arrangement in the listen link given comes from Gustav Holst, who also gave us "The Planets", from which his "Jupiter" movement includes the tune used for such hymns as "O God, beyond all praising" and "I vow to thee, my country".

Hymn during Communion: Worship hymnal, #6 Blest be the God of Israel ("Forest Green") (Listen)
- The words in the listen link is a different translation from what's in the hymnal (both the link's translation and the hymnal's translation are from the "Benedictus", aka the Canticle of Zechariah), but the tune is the same.
Recessional hymn: Pew Missal, #246 Songs of thankfulness and praise ("Salzburg") (Listen)

This Monday begins the First Week of the Year (aka "Ordinary Time" or "Green Season", or to some, "Boring Time" lol).

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP