STATIONS OF THE CROSS

General format

Stations of the Cross with Holy Communion (and with music) is held in the Church on all Tuesdays in Lent at 7 PM.  The general format is thus:

The sequence Stabat Mater Dolorosa (At the cross Her station keeping) is sung in English, according to the "Way of the Cross" booklet provided as you enter the church.  Two verses are sung at the very beginning (the entrance of priest and ministers), two verses each at the end of Stations 1, 7, and 14, and one verse each after all the other Stations.  Those who have attended our Stations on Tuesdays are familiar with this.

Following the final Station, the Lord's Prayer is recited, followed by the Ecce Agnus Dei dialogue ("Behold the Lamb of God..." / "Lord, I am not worthy...").

Communion is received.  One of two hymns are sung in an alternating manner.  Those are:

- Let thy Blood in mercy poured (Maroon #190) (Listen) (Weeks 1, 3, and 5 of Lent)

- Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All (Worship #488) (Listen) (Weeks 2 and 4 of Lent, and Holy Week)

Recessional hymn: Lift high the cross (Worship #704) (all weeks)

Peace,

BMP

THREE DAY WEEKEND

FIRST FRIDAY (Sacred Heart Community Mass)
III-7-14 at 6:30 PM (time change for Lent)

Ordinary of the Mass:
Kyrie: Laus Tibi Christe Mass (same tune as the Agnus Dei we've sung from that same Mass)
Sanctus and Agnus Dei: Mass XVIII (the simplest of Kyriale chant Masses)
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (Listen)
- Music is the official chant of the 2010 Roman Missal (use of which began Advent 2011)
Amen: adapted from the Sanctus of Mass VIII

That set listed above is the set for all of Lent.  The Kyrie is sung at Masses celebrated by Father Bucci (at the very least).

Entrance hymn: O Sacred Heart, O Love divine (music on cards provided)

Psalm 51: A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn, sung to Psalm Tone 2

- text in the daily Mass portion of the missalette under March 7.

Gospel acclamation: Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, adapted by yours truly from the Mode I chant Vexilla Regis Prodeunt.

- Vexilla Regis Prodeunt is the Latin from which The Royal banners forward go is translated.  This chant is most often used during Passiontide.

Offertory anthem: Parce, Domine, music by Carlo Rossini

- We sang this while ashes were distributed on Ash Wednesday.  Translation: Spare us, O Lord, thy people.  Be thou not angry with us for ever.

Communion hymn: Attende, Domine, Worship #414, in Latin

Recessional hymn: To Jesus' Heart, all-burning (music on cards provided)

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT; III-9-14

Sung Ordinary of the Mass as listed above.

Entrance hymn: Praise to the Holiest in the height, Maroon #343 (first tune)

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

- same as Ash Wednesday

Gospel Acclamation: same as above

Offertory hymn: Jesus, Name all names above, Maroon #342

Communion anthem: Parce, Domine, music by Carlo Rossini

Meditation hymn: Let thy blood in mercy poured, Maroon #190 (Listen)

Recessional hymn: Lord, who throughout these forty days, Maroon #59

Peace,

BMP

SUNDAY VIII and ASH WEDNESDAY

PUTTING THE ALLELUIA AWAY

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).

SUNDAY VIII; III-2-14

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

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

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

SUNDAY VII

II-23-14; MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Music for the sung Ordinary of the Mass and the Alleluia before the Gospel are the same as the past couple of weeks.

Entrance hymn: Love divine, all loves excelling, Maroon #479, first tune

- Same tune as the more familiar Alleluia! sing to Jesus 

Psalm 103: The Lord is kind and merciful, music by David Haas (antiphon) and Pére Joseph Gelineau, SJ (verses).  Can be found in Worship, #883.

Offertory hymn: Jesus, lover of my soul, Maroon #415, first tune (Listen)

Communion anthem: Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All, music by Mother Alexis Donnelly, RSM

- A nifty (but different) little tune to a familiar hymn text that I inherited from Dave Sylvester, my distinguished predecessor. :)

Meditation hymn: Fairest Lord Jesus, Maroon #346, second tune (Listen)

- The text is a translation from the German Schönster Herr Jesu.  Some hymnals have another translation, Beautiful Savior, set to the same tune.  Others might recognize the tune with the hymn God's blessing sends us forth, which was a staple back in the days of Monthly Missalette, or the now out of print missalette We Worship (which was in the pew at Sacred Heart back in 1989, my first stint as organist there).

Recessional hymn: Father, we thank thee who hast planted, Maroon #195 (Listen)

- The tune Rendez a Dieu that is sung with this hymn is written by Louis Bourgeois, who also gave us the Old Hundredth, which you would recognize with the hymns All people that on earth do dwell and Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.

Peace,

BMP

SUNDAY VI

II-16-14: MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Hymn numbers this weekend are found in the red Worship hymnal.

Ordinary of the Mass and Alleluia are the same as last weekend.

Entrance hymn: Sing praise to God who reigns above, #528 (Listen)

Psalm 119: Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord, music by Royce Nickel

Offertory hymn: The living God my shepherd is, #612 (Listen)

- Not to be confused with the more commonly-sung The King of love my shepherd is, though both are based on Psalm 23.  The listen link given here is for the tune.  The text sung is yet another paraphrase of the same Psalm.

Communion anthem: God so loved the world, by Sir John Stainer

- God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoso believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, but that the world through him might be saved.

Meditation hymn: I sought the Lord, #593 (Listen)

- This is a different tune than the one we normally use in the Maroon hymnal, but easy to sing.

Recessional hymn: Sing praise to the Lord, #539 (Listen)

Peace,

BMP

FIRST FRIDAY AND SUNDAY V

Back to our regularly numbered Sundays/weeks of Ordinary Time.  By the way, although last Sunday's feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ superseded the Fourth Sunday of the Year, the weekdays are still of the Fourth Week of the Year.

FIRST FRIDAY; II-7-14

SACRED HEART COMMUNITY MASS 6 PM

This Friday is First Friday.  There is no feast (although the Gospel of the day does recall the beheading of John the Baptist by King Herod).  Simply a feria (or "weekday"), and the Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart.  The hymns of the day will reflect that votive Mass, while the Psalm will be that of the day.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Sung Mass Ordinary: A Community Mass (Richard Proulx)

- This is the Mass we did for the last two weeks of January.  We did the Laus Tibi Christe Latin setting last week for the major feast (Presentation).  A Community Mass, which is in English, will be resumed for the remainder of this portion of Ordered Time.

The Gloria is omitted on the weekday.

Entrance hymn: O Sacred Heart, O Love Divine (music on sheets provided)

Psalm 18: Blessed be God, my salvation, sung to Psalm Tone 8G.

- This is the Psalm of the Day for February 7 in the Daily Mass Propers section of the missalette.

Alleluia: music by Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB (same as the last few weeks, also for this portion of Ordered Time)

Offertory anthem: Cor dulce, Cor amabile 

Communion anthem: Panis Angelicus, sung to a Hungarian tune from the Pius X Hymnal

Recessional hymn: To Jesus' Heart, All-Burning (music on sheets provided)

SUNDAY V OF THE YEAR; II-9-14

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Sung Mass Ordinary: Gloria sung from Mass VIII (chant) or recited.  The remainder is from A Community Mass (see First Friday list, above).

Entrance hymn: When morning gilds the skies (Maroon, #367) (Listen)

Psalm 112: The just man is a light in darkness to the upright, music by yours truly

Alleluia: same as First Friday, above

Offertory hymn: O Jesus, I have promised (Maroon, #570, second tune) (Listen)
- Listen link is for the tune itself.  The title given in it just uses the same tune.

Communion anthem: Laudate Dominum, music by Giuseppe Pitoni

Meditation hymn: Blest are the pure in heart (Maroon, #418) (Listen)

Recessional hymn: Ye holy angels bright (Maroon, #600) (We sang this two weeks ago.) ;)

Peace,
BMP

PRESENTATION OF THE LORD (Candlemas)

II-2-14

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

SUNDAY III

I-26-14

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

All numbers given are in the Maroon hymnal, except where noted.

Mass Ordinary: same as last week

Entrance hymn: To the Name of our salvation, #326 (Listen)

Responsorial Psalm: The Lord is my light and my salvation, music by Richard Proulx (antiphon) and Pére Joseph Gelineau, SJ (verses) (Worship, #871)

Alleluia: same as last week

Offertory hymn: They cast their nets in Galilee, #437 (Listen)

- This is a lesser known tune.  This listen link plays about a verse and a half, the actual verse ending at about the 24-second mark.

Communion anthem:

- (Saturday) Be thou my vision, music by Jean-Hubert Desrocquettes

- (9 and 11:15) Cantate Domino canticum novum, music by Vincent d'Indy

- (7:30) organ improvisation

Meditation hymn: At the name of Jesus, #356 (verses 1-3)

Recessional hymn: Ye holy angels bright, #600

- same tune as the more familiar Rejoice, the Lord is King 

Peace,

BMP

SUNDAY II

I-19-14

A SEASON OF MANY NAMES

"Ordinary Time" (which the liturgical calendars in English and French call it), "Ordered Time" (a little more accurate in a sense that the Sundays are numbered in order), "of the Year" (more faithful to the Latin, "per Annum").  In the traditional liturgical calendar (used before 1969), this Sunday would have been named the "Second Sunday after the Epiphany" (which would have really been accurate, given this Sunday's Gospel reading).

As a composer whose concentration as of late has been re-working my own settings of responsorial Psalms, in using the Sunday or feast as a sub-header (the Psalm number being the title), I have been using the phrase "of the Year", which is, as I mentioned above, more faithful to the Latin.  Thus, "Dominica II per Annum" translates "2nd Sunday of the Year".

As for the "Second Sunday after the Epiphany" reference - last Sunday, the Baptism of the Lord, we heard Matthew's account of John the Baptist about to baptize Jesus.  This Sunday, we hear that story, one more time, according to John.  For that reason, three of the four hymns we sang last Sunday are repeated this Sunday (the meditation was the only change).

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Ordinary of the Mass: Gloria (if sung) will be the chant setting from Mass VIII, which we have sung before.  The music is in Worship (red), #341.  The rest (Sanctus through Agnus Dei) will be from A Community Mass, by Richard Proulx, which we introduced last summer. (Listen)

The hymns for this Sunday come from the Maroon hymnal.

Entrance hymn: On Jordan's bank the baptist's cry, #10

Responsorial Psalm: Here am I, Lord, I come to do your will, music by Richard Proulx and Pére Joseph Gelineau, SJ.  (Listen)

- The listen link is one I created from the First Friday Mass of December 6, 2013, the feast of St. Nicholas, here at Sacred Heart.

Alleluia: music by Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB.  (This is in Worship, #360)

Offertory hymn: Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding, #9

Communion anthem: In thee is gladness, a tune with a German title (In der ist Freude), written by an Italian (Giovanni Giacomo Gastoldi).

Meditation hymn: Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless, #213

Recessional hymn: Songs of thankfulness and praise, #53

Peace,

BMP

THE BAPTISM OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

January 12, 2014

The last day of Christmas!

One may notice a couple of hymns of an Advent nature here - the entrance and the offertory.  The reason being is that these hymns remind us of John the Baptist, that "herald's voice in the voice crying out, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths" ready to baptize his cousin, Jesus, that "one mighter than I" that John proclaims the coming of, that John also proclaims "I am unfit to even loosen his sandal straps".

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

All numbers given are found in the maroon hymnal.

Ordinary of the Mass and Alleluia: same as last Sunday (the last day for these!)

Entrance hymn: On Jordan's Bank, #10

Responsorial Psalm: The Lord will bless his people with peace, music by Gregory Evans.

Offertory hymn: Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding, #9

Communion anthem: Lorica of St. Patrick, Irish tune.

- This seems to be more of a Trinitarian hymn.  However, the second verse mentions "His incarnation" and "His Baptism in the Jordan River".  Although this is being sung during Communion as an anthem, you may follow along in the maroon hymnal at #268 if you wish.

Meditation hymn: Let all mortal flesh keep silence, #197 (Listen)

- The rendition on this listen link was nicely crafted at the historic Church of Saint Peter in Columbia, South Carolina. Mark Husey (who I never met personally but is a "Facebook friend") is the organist and choirmaster.

Recessional hymn: Songs of thankfulness and praise, #53 (Listen)

- This tune, but a little slower, but just as grand.  The congregation there (the famed Saint Bartholomew's in New York City) is singing the Easter hymn At the Lamb's High Feast we sing, using the same tune.

Peace,

BMP

A HOLY DAY, A FIRST FRIDAY, AND A SUNDAY

That is, the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God (January 1/New Year's Day, a Holy Day of Obligation), the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus (First Friday, January 3), and the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Sunday, January 5).

"The Plumbers"

The Brass Trio (affectionately referred to as "The Plumbers") will be on hand at all of the Epiphany Masses except for the 7:30 AM.  OK - some have asked me about the nickname "The Plumbers".  It started when I watched an interview on YouTube with trumpeter extraordinaire Herb Alpert, from the show CBS Sunday Morning.  His trumpet teacher told him, "Hey, man, you're playing a piece of plumbing!"  That stuck with me.  Consider the wind and valves and tubing in a trumpet, and the monstrous maze of tubing in a French horn (which our brass leader plays), and there you go - PLUMBING!  Definitely nothing negative in the nickname.  Just some fun inspired by one of the best in the business! ;)

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD (January 1)
MASSES: 5 PM (New Year's Eve, December 31), 9 and 11:15 AM (New Year's Day, January 1)
Numbers given are in the Maroon hymnal.

Ordinary of the Mass: Mass of the Shepherds, music by Pietro A. Yon
Alleluia: same setting as Christmas

Entrance hymn: While shepherds watched their flocks by night, #13
Responsorial Psalm: May God bless us in his mercy, music by Owen Alstott
- Music as written in the missalette for January 1.  Side note: Let me know after Mass if anyone notices any resemblance between the response and the beloved carol God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.
Offertory hymn: The first Nowell, #30
Communion anthem: Ave Maria, music by Franz Schubert (solo: Elaine)
Meditation hymn: In the bleak midwinter, #44 (Listen)
Recessional hymn: Angels we have heard on high, #42

MOST HOLY NAME OF JESUS (First Friday, January 3)
Sacred Heart Community Mass, 6 PM
Numbers given are in the Red Worship hymnal.

Ordinary of the Mass: simple chant settings (Gloria omitted)
Alleluia: same setting as Christmas

Entrance hymn: At the name of Jesus, #499
Responsorial Psalm: How great is your Name, O Lord, our God, through all the earth, music by Joseph Gelineau, SJ, #27 (Antiphon I)
Offertory hymn: Adeste Fideles, #392 (in Latin)
Communion anthem: Puer Natus in Bethlehem
- Translation of first verse and refrain: A boy is born in Bethlehem, alleluia; rejoice, therefore, Jerusalem, alleluia, alleluia. We shout with joyful hearts: "Christ is born, let us adore him" in newfound songs of praise.
Recessional hymn: Hark! the herald angels sing, #387

THE EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (January 5)
MASSES: 5 PM (Saturday, January 4); 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM (Sunday, January 5)
Brass Trio at all Masses except 7:30 AM
Numbers given are in the Maroon hymnal.

Ordinary of the Mass: simple chants (7:30), Mass of the Shepherds (all other Masses)
Alleluia: same setting as Christmas

Entrance hymn: O come, all ye faithful, #12 (in English, verses 1, 2, 5, 6)
Responsorial Psalm: Lord, every nation on earth will adore you, setting by yours truly (Listen)

Offertory hymn: We three kings of Orient are, #51
Communion anthem: Laudamus Te, from Gloria in D by Antonio Vivaldi (duet: Elaine and Kate)
Meditation hymn: As with gladness men of old, #52 (Listen)
- This hymn tune, by the way, is also used often with For the beauty of the earth.
Recessional hymn: What star is this with beams so bright, #47 (Listen)
- This hymn tune is also used with an Easter hymn that we sing, That Easter Day with joy was bright.

Happy and blessed New Year, as well as the remainder of Christmas!
Peace,
BMP

PS: Christmas began, not ended, on December 25.  It ends this year on January 12, the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH

The Sunday in the Octave of Christmas, 29 December 2013

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Much of this weekend will be a repeat of what we did at this time last year.  Numbers given will be in the red Worship hymnal.

Sung Ordinary of the Mass:

(7:30 AM): simple chants in Latin (Gloria VIII, Sanctus XVIII, Agnus Dei XVIII)

(all other Masses): Mass of the Shepherds, music by Pietro A. Yon (the setting we used for the Masses of Christmas)

(Common to all Masses): Memorial acclamation Mortem Tuam, and Dresden Amen

Entrance hymn: While shepherds watched their flocks by night, #382 (Listen)

Responsorial Psalm: O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways, music by Joseph Gelineau, SJ

Alleluia: same as Christmas

Offertory hymn: The First Nowell, #408

Communion anthem: Of the Father's love begotten, Chant, Mode V

- The hymn on which the Alleluia (before the Gospel) for the season is based.

Meditation hymn: See, amid the winter's snow, #375 (Listen)

Recessional hymn: Angels we have heard on high, #376

Peace,
BMP

THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

Before I post the music for the Masses of Christmas, I would like to wish our singers, brass trio, pastor, parishioners, and my own family a very merry and blessed Christmas, as well as thank them for their help and/or support to our music department.

Masses are at 5 and 10 PM on Christmas Eve, 9 and 11:15 AM on Christmas Day.

Each Mass will be preceded by some organ/brass and choral music, beginning roughly 20 minutes before Mass.  The prelude will consist of five pieces:

1. Laudamus Te, from Gloria, by Antonio Vivaldi (Elaine and Kate, with organ)

2. Coventry Carol, English carol, arranged by Martin Shaw (SATB)

3. Gaudete Christus Est Natus, from Piae Cantones, 16th century (SATB)

4. Bel Bambino, Italian carol, arranged by C. Alexander Peloquin (SATB)

5. Nöel Suisse, by Louis-Claude Daquin (organ and brass)

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Sung Ordinary of the Mass: Mass of the Shepherds, by Pietro A. Yon.

- Italian-born Pietro Yon was organist at New York City's St. Patrick's Cathedral from 1926 until shortly before his death in 1943.  The great Kilgen organ at the Cathedral, Kilgen's magnum opus to this day, was installed while Yon was organist there.  Yon is most famous for the beloved Gesu Bambino (When blossoms flowered 'mid the snows...).

The Memorial Acclamation Mortem Tuam Annuntiamus, Domine (which we used throughout Advent) and the short but festive Dresden Amen (arranged by Theodore Marier) will also be used.

The readings for all four Masses will be those of Midnight Mass.  All numbers given are found in the red Worship hymnal.

Entrance hymn: O come, all ye faithful, #392, arranged by Sir David Willcocks

Responsorial Psalm: Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord, music by Richard Proulx (antiphon) and Pére Joseph Gelineau, SJ (verses), #779

Alleluia: adapted by yours truly from the Mode V chant Divinum Mysterium (Of the Father's love begotten) (the hymn itself is in Worship, #398)

Offertory hymn: Hark! the herald angels sing, #387, arranged by Sir David Willcocks

Communion anthem: Hallelujah!, from Messiah, by George Frederick Handel

Meditation hymn: Silent night, #379

Recessional hymn: Joy to the world, #399

Postludes will consist of:
1. Angels We Have Heard on High (organ and brass)
2. Variations on "Coventry Carol", by yours truly (organ)

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO, ET IN TERRA PAX HOMINIBUS BONAE VOLUNTATIS!
Your humble organist,
BMP

SUNDAY IV OF ADVENT

The music for this coming weekend is a repeat of Immaculate Conception, with three exceptions.  All numbers given are in Worship.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Mass Ordinary and Alleluia: same as last weekend

Entrance hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel, #357

Responsorial Psalm: Let the Lord enter; he is King of glory, music by Richard Proulx (antiphon) and Joseph Gelineau (verses), #775

Offertory hymn: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven came, #695

Communion anthem: Alma Redemptoris Mater, music by Samuel Webbe

- The text is the actual Marian antiphon used from Advent until the Presentation of the Lord (February 2).  The music is an altered form of the tune used for the hymn Come, Ye Disconsolate.

Meditation hymn: Lo! how a Rose e'er blooming, #374

Recessional hymn: O come, divine Messiah, #367

Peace,

BMP

SUNDAY III OF ADVENT (Gaudete Sunday)

REJOICE!  That is the name of this coming Sunday.  The Third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday.  Gaudete (pronounced Gow-DEH-teh) is a Latin word meaning Rejoice (the other Latin word for the same is Laetare, which is used on the Fourth Sunday of Lent).  Gaudete is also the first word of the Introit for this Sunday from the Graduale Romanum:

Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete: modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione petitiones vestræ innotescant apud Deum.

It translates thus:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice!  Let your forebearance be known to all men: the Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in all manner of prayer, make your petitions known to God.

A shorter form, which appears as the recited Entrance Antiphon in the Roman Missal:
Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete: Dominus prope est.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.

In addition, the Gospel reading for the Third Sunday of Advent (as well as the Second Sunday) tells of John the Baptist, that herald's voice in the desert that cries out, "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths!" and "One mightier than I is to come.  I am not fit to loosen his sandal straps."  Let's look at today's music, shall we?

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Mass Ordinary and Alleluia: same as last weekend

Numbers given for this Sunday appear in the Maroon Hymnal (The Hymnal).

Entrance Hymn: Come, thou long-expected Jesus (#1) (Listen)
- Side note: organist on the listen link here is Ryan Lynch, a good friend of mine from Boston.

Responsorial Psalm: Lord, come and save us, music by yours truly, based partially on Psaln Tone 8G

Offertory Hymn: Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding (#9) (Listen)

Communion Anthem: Magnificat, using alternating tones, the first being Psalm Tone 8G, and the other being a polyphonic tone by Ciro Grassi (+ circa 1953)

Meditation Hymn: The King shall come when morning dawns (#11) (Listen)

Recessional Hymn: On Jordan's bank the baptist's cry (#10) (Listen)

Peace,
BMP

FIRST FRIDAY and IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (external solemnity)

COMMON TO BOTH FEASTS:

Sung Ordinary of the Mass: same as last weekend (Gloria for the Immaculate Conception will be the chant setting, Worship hymnal, #341)

Alleluia: same as last weekend

FIRST FRIDAY - XII-6-13 at 6 PM
Optional Memorial: ST. NICHOLAS, BISHOP

No, that does not mean we're playing Christmas music before Christmas (bad enough some radio stations have been forcing those commercial jingles that PASS for Christmas music down listeners' throats 24/7 since Halloween).  The Psalm will be that appointed for St. Nicholas (Psalm 40).  Music will be a combination of hymns to the Sacred Heart and music for Advent.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Entrance hymn: O Sacred Heart, O Love Divine (sheets provided)

Responsorial Psalm: Here am I, Lord, I come to do your will, music by Richard Proulx (antiphon) and Joseph Gelineau (verses).  You may join in the Worship hymnal, #868 (it's under the Second Sunday of Ordered Time, but the Psalm is also appointed for this feast).

Offertory anthem: He shall feed his flock (from Messiah), George Frederick Handel

Communion anthem: Veni, veni, Emmanuel, the Latin, from which the hymn O come. O come, Emmanuel is translated.  The refrain is: Gaude, gaude! Emmanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.  (Rejoice, rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.)

Recessional hymn: To Jesus' Heart, all-burning (sheets provided)

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
External Solemnity for the Weekend

How many remember the term "External Solemnity"?  That's when a Mass for a given feast during the week is not transferred to the Sunday, but celebrated on that day anyway.  Oftentimes, in the extraordinary form of the Mass (the Roman Missals of 1962 and years prior), Corpus Christi (for example) was on a Thursday.  The priest could opt to celebrate that feast on the following Sunday as an "External Solemnity". Such is the case for this weekend.  Normally, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Patroness of our great nation is a holy day of obligation, celebrated on December 8.  Since December 8 falls on a Sunday this year, the Solemnity is moved to the calender to the Monday (December 9) and the obligation removed.  So, in order to get the full effect of this important solemnity, we are celebrating it this weekend as an "External Solemnity".  Prayers, Readings, and Psalms (as well as most of the day's hymns) will reflect that.

All numbers given are in the Red Worship hymnal.

Entrance hymn: Immaculate Mary, #708

Responsorial Psalm: Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds, music by J. Robert Carroll (antiphon) and Joseph Gelineau (verses), #1060

Offertory hymn: The Angel Gabriel from Heaven came, #695 (Listen)

Communion anthem: Ave Maria
- The setting for 7:30 AM Mass will be that of Charles Gounod (his melody, written over the Prelude in C by Johann Sebastian Bach).  The setting for all other Masses will be that of Lorenzo Perosi, sung as a duet for soprano and alto.

Meditation hymn: Lo! how a Rose e'er blooming, #374 (Listen)
- The text in the listen link is in the original German.  However, rest assured, we will sing this in English, as it appears in the hymnal.

Recessional hymn: O come, divine Messiah, #367 (Listen)
- The original French put the refain in the first lines.  The version in English, which we have puts the refrain at the end of the verse.  The French refrain, which was a big hit at the large French church in Woonsocket that I served from 1989-1997, goes thus:
- - Venez, divin Messie, Sauvez nos jours infortunés;
- - Vous êtes notre vie; Venez, venez, venez!

Peace,
BMP

THANKSGIVING DAY and FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT

THANKSGIVING DAY; XI-28-13, 9 AM

A very happy and blessed Thanksgiving to all parishioners at Sacred Heart.  One of the many reasons I am thankful is that I am able to serve this parish as your organist, for our singers for their assistance at Holy Mass, for Fr. Bucci for keeping me on board (plus his excellent homilies), and for you, the people that make up our wonderful parish.  And most important, to my own family for their love and support which make my existance possible.

That said...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Sung Ordinary of the Mass: Missa Populare "Laus Tibi Christe", music by Federico Caudana, for one last time.  Then I shall put it away until after Pentecost.

Entrance hymn: We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing (Maroon hymnal, #315)

Responsorial Psalm: Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever, sung to Psalm Tone 8G

Alleluia: from Christ is the King (Red Worship, #500)

Offertory hymn: Come, ye thankful people, come (Maroon hymnal, #137) (Listen)

- The hymn starts at the 1:36 mark of the listen link.

Communion music: organ improvisations on themes to be determined

Meditation hymn: Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All (Red Worship, #488)

Recessional hymn: Now thank we all our God (Maroon hymnal, #276)

Postlude: Nun Danket Alle Gott (Now thank we all our God), Sigfried Karg-Elert

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT; XII-1-13

Simpler Mass ordinaries will be used during the season of Advent, as we prepare and await the festive time of our Lord's birth.  Further, on Sundays of Advent, the Gloria is omitted completely.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

All numbers given for this weekend are in the Maroon hymnal.

Sung Ordinary of the Mass: Mass XVIII, the simple chant setting of the Sanctus and Agnus Dei, along with the chant Memorial Acclamation Mortem Tuam annuntiamus, Domine, and the Amen based on the beginning of the Sanctus from Mass VIII.

Entrance hymn: Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates (#484)

Responsorial Psalm: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord, music by yours truly (same Psalm as the previous weekend, Christ the King)

Alleluia: adapted from the Mode IV chant tune Conditor Alme Siderum (which we know in English as Creator of the stars of night).

Offertory hymn: Lo! He comes with clouds descending (#5, second tune)

Communion anthem: To you I lift my soul, text by John Dunn, tune by John Ireland

Meditation hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel (#2, verses 5, 6, and 7 only)

Recessional hymn: Rejoice, rejoice, believers (#4) (Listen)

Peace,

BMP

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE

This is one of those rare times in the three-year liturgical cycle that the same Psalm (in this case, Psalm 122) appears after the first reading.  We close Year C (in the Proper of Time, sometimes known as the Proper of Seasons) with three versicles of Psalm 122, along with the antiphon Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.  Next Sunday, the First Sunday of Advent, we open Year A with Psalm 122 also, but with five versicles.  The only two other times a Psalm antiphon normally gets repeated on two or more consecutive Sundays are:

1. In Year B, Psalm 89 (antiphon: For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord) on the Fourth Sunday of Advent and the Vigil Mass for Christmas, and

2. Also in Year B, Psalm 34 (antiphon: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord) on the 19th, 20th, and 21st Sundays of Ordinary (read: ordered) Time.

Our brass trio (two trumpets and French horn) will join us for the 5:00 PM Mass this Saturday, and the 9:00 and 11:15 AM Masses this Sunday, as we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King (in Festo Domini Nostri Jesu Christe, Universorum Regis).

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS:

Numbers given are in the Red hymnal (Worship).

Entrance hymn: Rejoice, the Lord is King (#493) (with brass)

Gloria: Messa Populare "Laus Tibi Christe", music by Federico Caudana (with brass)

Responsorial Psalm: Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord, music by yours truly.

 

Alleluia: from the hymn Christ is the King (with brass)

Offertory hymn: Christ is the King (#500) (with brass)

Sanctus: "Laus Tibi Christe" Mass (with brass)

Memorial Acclamation: When we eat this bread..., adapted by yours truly from excerpts of the Gloria from the "Laus Tibi Christe" Mass

Amen: same as the Amen that concludes the Gloria from the "Laus Tibi Christe" Mass (with brass)

Agnus Dei: "Laus Tibi Christe" Mass

Communion anthem: Laudate Dominum, by Giuseppe Pitoni

Recessional hymn: To Jesus Christ, our Sov'reign King (#497) (with brass)

NOTE: Some Masses MAY end with Eucharistic Benediction.  If that's the case, the recessional will be omitted, and the following will be sung (all with brass):
1) O Salutaris (#757)
2) Tantum Ergo (#758)
3) Holy God, we praise Thy Name (#524)

Peace,
BMP

SUNDAY XXXIII

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Sung Mass Ordinary and Alleluia: same as last weekend

All numbers given are in the Maroon hymnal.

Entrance hymn: Lo! he comes with clouds descending (#5, second tune) (Listen)

Responsorial Psalm: The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice, music by Fr. Samuel Weber

Offertory hymn: Faith of our fathers (#393)

Communion anthem: Wake, awake, for night is flying, music by Philip Nicolai, arranged by Johann Sebastian Bach (Those who wish to join in may do so - #3 in maroon hymnal)

Recessional hymn: O worship the King (#288) (Listen)

Peace,
BMP

SUNDAY XXXII

Just three more weeks before another liturgical year comes to a close.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

The sung Mass Ordinary and Alleluia are the same as last Sunday.

Entrance hymn: The kingdom of God (Worship, #615)
- Same tune as Sing praise to the Lord, which we have sung before.

Responsorial Psalm: Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full, music by Father Samuel Weber, OSB (though it sounds like it could have been Ted Marier).

Offertory hymn: I heard the voice of Jesus say (Worship #607) (Listen)

Communion anthem: Jesu, joy of man's desiring, music by Johann Sebastian Bach

Meditation hymn: I vow to thee, my country (words will be printed in the bulletin) (Listen)

- Text written by Cecil Spring-Rice.  Tune, Thaxted, by Gustav Holst, which also served as part of Jupiter, from Holst's major work, The Planets.

Recessional hymn: God of our fathers (Worship, #764) (Listen)

Peace,

BMP