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