All in one shot, Sunday XXXIII, Christ the King, and Thanksgiving Day.
ORDINARY OF THE MASS: Messa Popolare "Laus Tibi Christe" (Federico Caudana)
ALLELUIA: from the hymn Christ is the King ("Gelobt sei Gott")
The rest...
All in one shot, Sunday XXXIII, Christ the King, and Thanksgiving Day.
ORDINARY OF THE MASS: Messa Popolare "Laus Tibi Christe" (Federico Caudana)
ALLELUIA: from the hymn Christ is the King ("Gelobt sei Gott")
The rest...
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS: Messa Popolare "Laus Tibi Christe" (Federico Caudana)
ALLELUIA: from the hymn Christ is the King ("Gelobt sei Gott")
The rest...
This Friday (November 1) is the Solemnity of All Saints, a Holy Day of Obligation. We will have Mass on that day at 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Both Masses will be in the Church.
Also, since this day is also a FIRST FRIDAY, our 9:00 AM Mass will also be the Sacred Heart Community Mass as we had celebrated before the Mass schedule shrunk back in August.
That said...
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS: Messa Popolare "Laus Tibi Christe" (Federico Caudana)
ALLELUIA: from the hymn Christ is the King ("Gelobt sei Gott")
November 1 - All Saints (9 AM and 7 PM)
Entrance hymn: For all the saints ("Sine Nomine") (Listen)
- What's All Saints Day without it?
Psalm 24: R./ Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face. (J. Robert Carroll/Pérè Joseph Gelineau, SJ)
Offertory hymn: From all thy saints in warfare ("St. Theodulph")
- Same tune as the Palm Sunday staple, "All glory, laud and honor" (Listen)
Communion responsory: Remember, Lord, thy servants (BMP) (PDF)
- Includes verses from the Beatitudes, which is the day's Gospel, and, in part, the Communion Antiphon of the day.
Recessional hymn: Ye watchers and ye holy ones ("Lasst uns Erfreuen") (Listen)
November 3 - Sunday XXXI through the Year
Entrance hymn: Christ is made the sure foundation ("Westminster Abbey") (Listen)
Psalm 18: R./ I love you, Lord, my strength (Sam Schmitt)
Offertory hymn: Sing praise to God who reigns above ("Mit Freuden Zart") (Listen)
- The listen link here is a rendition offered by world renowned organist Diane Bish, known for her work as hostess of the TV show, "The Joy of Music".
Communion responsory: Ubi Caritas (Chant, Mode VI) (Listen)
Recessional hymn: Immortal, invisible, God only wise ("St. Denio") (Listen)
Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP
Before I begin my post, I must remind all who read this about our Christmas Snowflake Bazaar that is being held this Friday (October 26) from 12 noon to 7 pm and Saturday (October 27) from 10 am to 7 pm. Great food, great gifts, and raffles!
That said:
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, when sung, and Memorial Acclamation)
Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott) (Sanctus, Amen, Agnus Dei)
ALLELUIA: Mode VI
HYMNS, PSALMS, etc.
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, when sung, and Memorial Acclamation)
Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott) (Sanctus, Amen, Agnus Dei)
ALLELUIA: Mode VI
HYMNS, PSALMS, etc.
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, when sung, and Memorial Acclamation)
Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott) (Sanctus, Amen, Agnus Dei)
ALLELUIA: Mode VI
HYMNS, PSALMS, etc.
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, when sung, and Memorial Acclamation)
Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott) (Sanctus, Amen, Agnus Dei)
ALLELUIA: Mode VI
HYMNS, PSALMS, etc.
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, when sung, and Memorial Acclamation)
Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott) (Sanctus, Amen, Agnus Dei)
ALLELUIA: Mode VI (the classic which begins "do re mi do...")
HYMNS, PSALMS, etc.
Sunday XXV through the Year - September 22
Sunday XXVI through the Year - September 29
We'll be opening Mass the next couple of weeks revisiting a couple of old classics: O God, our help in ages past this coming Sunday (XXIII) and Praise to the Lord, the Almighty the following Sunday (XXIV).
This weekend, with the First Reading and Gospel being all about healing, opening the eyes of the blind, the ears of the deaf and the mouth of the mute, Your hands, O Lord, in days of old was the perfect allusion to both of those readings. It will be sung at the Offertory.
Next weekend, the Gospel is about "taking up the cross", so two of our go-to's in that case are the most obvious - Take up thy cross (at the Offertory) and Lift high the cross (at the Recessional). During Communion, I added In the cross of Christ I glory, sung to an early American tune, "Charlestown".
All the music is in the Mass Guide. You are most encouraged to grab one at any of the church entrances, along with the bulletin. Also, feel free to check out the "Listen" links below to familiarize yourself with the tune of the hymn. ;)
That said...
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, when sung, and Memorial Acclamation)
Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott) (Sanctus, Amen, Agnus Dei)
ALLELUIA: Mode VI (the classic which begins "do re mi do...")
HYMNS, PSALMS, etc.
Sunday XXIII through the Year - September 8
Entrance: O God, our help in ages past ("St. Anne") (Listen)
Psalm 146: R./ Praise the Lord, my soul (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
Offertory: Your hands, O Lord, in days of old ("Mozart") (Listen)
Communion: Psalm 76, R./ Make your vows unto the Lord and accomplish them (BMP) (PDF)
- or motet: Like as the hart (Vincent Novello)
Recessional: O praise ye the Lord (Listen)
Sunday XXIV through the Year - September 15
Entrance: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty ("Lobe den Herren") (Listen)
Psalm 116: R./ I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living (Richard Clark) (PDF)
- Richard Clark is currently music director and organist at Holy Cross Cathedral in Boston and is doing fantastic things there.
Offertory: Take up thy cross ("Breslau") (Listen)
Communion: In the cross of Christ I glory ("Charlestown") (Listen)
Recessional: Lift high the cross ("Crucifer") (Listen)
Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP
For the months of September and October we will be switching from Community Mass to Heritage Mass, another setting of the Ordinary we have done plenty of times.
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, when sung, and Memorial Acclamation)
Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott) (Sanctus, Amen, Agnus Dei)
ALLELUIA: Mode VI (the classic which begins "do re mi do...")
HYMNS, PSALMS, etc.
Entrance: To the Name of our salvation ("Oriel") (Listen)
Psalm 15: R./ He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord (BMP) (PDF)
Offertory: Blest are the pure in heart ("Franconia") (Listen)
Communion:
- Responsory: Psalm 71, R./ O Lord, I will be mindful of your justice alone (BMP) (PDF)
- or Motet: Cantate Domino canticum novum (Vincent d'Indy)
Recessional: When morning gilds the skies ("Laudes Domini") (Listen)
- I like the organist's harmony in the intro and opening verse.
Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
The hymns on the most part today take on a Eucharistic theme. "I am the living bread that come down from heaven," says the Lord. That is our Gospel reading for this Sunday.
Last week during Communion, I sang the hymn O Esca Viatorum (O Food to pilgrims given), set to a tune written by Johann Michael Haydn. This week at the Offertory, we will sing the hymn Glorious things of thee are spoken, set to the tune "Austria", written by J.M. Haydn's slightly more famous older brother, Franz Joseph Haydn. The text is by John Newton. It would surprise many that Newton also wrote the text of the hymn Amazing grace. The third verse concludes this: Safe they feed upon the manna which He gives them as they pray.
The recessional hymn for the next two weeks is a new-to-you text, but set to a tune you should most likely recognize. The hymn is O living Bread from heaven, and is sung to the tune "Aurelia", which is also sung with the more familiar hymn, The Church's one foundation. Here is the first verse:
O living Bread from heaven, how hast thou fed thy guest!
The gifts thou now hast given hath filled my heart with rest.
O wondrous food of blessing, O cup that heals our woes,
My heart, this gift possessing, in thankful song o'erflows.
Incidentally, some may have recognized the Alleluia tune (before the Gospel) that I restored last weekend and will be our Alleluia for the month. Known as "Alleluia O Clemens", it's based on the ending of the chant Salve Regina. That ending many have sung before: O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria. I adapted the Alleluia to three-quarters of that ending. ;)
So, without further ado...
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
Entrance hymn: Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates ("Truro")
Psalm 34: R./ Taste and see the goodness of the Lord (BMP) (PDF)
Offertory hymn: Glorious things of thee are spoken ("Austria") (Listen)
Communion hymn: Soul of my Savior ("Anima Christi")
Recessional hymn: O living Bread from heaven ("Aurelia") (Listen)
Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, if sung)
Community Mass (Richard Proulx) (Sanctus, Memorial, Amen, Agnus)
ALLELUIA: Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB
The rest:
I got busy last week and forgot all about posting the music list. Mea maxima culpa!
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, if sung)
Community Mass (Richard Proulx) (Sanctus, Memorial, Amen, Agnus)
ALLELUIA: Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB
The rest:
July 14 - Sunday XV of the Year
Entrance hymn: Christ is made the sure foundation ("Westminster Abbey")
Psalm 85: R./ Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation (BMP)
Offertory hymn: At the Name of Jesus ("King's Weston")
Hymn during Communion: To you I lift my soul ("Love Unknown"/text by John Dunn)
Recessional hymn: Go, make of all disciples ("Ellacombe")
July 21 - Sunday XVI of the Year
Entrance hymn: At the Name of Jesus ("King's Weston")
Psalm 23: R./ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want (Owen Alstott)
Offertory hymn: The King of love my shepherd is ("St. Columba")
Anthem during Communion: He shall feed his flock (George Frederick Handel, from Messiah)
Recessional hymn: O Jesus, I have promised ("Day of Rest")
Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP
Greetings, and a happy and blessed 248th anniversary of our Independence!
This Friday is our First Friday Sacred Heart Community Mass at 6 PM. In consultation with Msgr. Montecalvo, who will be celebrating Mass Friday evening, given there are four options for the day (Friday of Week XIII of the Year, St. Anthony Zaccharia, St. Elizabeth of Portugal, and the Votive Mass of the Sacred Heart), Monsignor chose the Votive Mass for our patron, the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. I printed the readings and Psalm (that is, Epistle, Psalm and Gospel from last month's Solemnity), along with the hymns, in the Mass Guide found at the entrances of the church.
The weekend's hymns, Psalm and other Mass music is also printed in its Mass Guide, which will be attached to the bulletin. All are encouraged to take one as you enter the Church.
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, if sung, omitted on Friday)
Community Mass (Richard Proulx) (Sanctus, Memorial, Amen, Agnus)
ALLELUIA: Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB
The rest:
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
Have you ever been to a different church and hear a different terminology as to what each hymn is called at Mass? I'm not talking titles, but instances - when the hymn is sung. Here at Sacred Heart, we sing the Entrance hymn, the Offertory, sometimes a meditation hymn after Communion, and the Recessional.
But what terms do other parishes use to introduce their hymns or publish them in a Mass Guide/worship aid?
Many, especially those who thrive on those songs that Fr. Bucci would (rightfully) describe as "campfire songs written by some guy with a guitar and a marshmallow stick in his mouth" refer to the Entrance hymn as the "gathering hymn" or "gathering song". Nothing says "me-focused" like a "gathering song." There is NO SUCH THING. If you are singing that first hymn while gathering, you're probably late for Mass. I know, sounds snarky of me, but it's the only way I can put it. Sorry, but not sorry. ;)
The proper term for that first hymn is the "Entrance chant," according to the current edition of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. That is because, in all actuality, the first choice of what should be sung at the beginning is the appointed Introit (or Entrance Antiphon) of the day. The word "Introit" comes from the Latin "intrare" meaning "to enter." Some may remember from the Traditional Latin Mass the priest saying the words, "Introibo ad altare Dei," that is, "I will enter unto the altar of God."
Going back to focus, "gathering" seems to focus on the congregation getting into church and how happy we are to be there, and often tends to give in to very weak songs such as Gather us in and All are welcome. "Entrance", however, shifts the focus to the priest entering the church "in persona Christi" ("in the person of Christ"). Our singing should focus on Christ, not "us".
The Offertory hymn is often referred to as the "Presentation" or "Preparation" hymn in modernist circuits. Again, "Offertory" is what the General Instruction gives us. The "Preparation of the Altar and Gifts" is the act taking place while the "Offertory" is sung. No "me- or we- centering" in this error, but I feel the need to address it just the same.
Finally, the Recessional hymn. Now, technically, the recessional hymn was never part of the Mass, not even in its current form, and the General Instruction makes no mention of one, though I think I can safely say over 90% of parishes in the United States (including ours) sing one by custom. The modernists like to use the term "Sending Forth song", which sounds like utter nonsense, not to mention, another Happy Bunny moment (one of his favorite quotes is "Let's focus on me!"). Recessional at least focuses on the priest leaving the Church, again "in the person of Christ". If there is an actual "sending forth song", it's very brief. It's the dialogue in which the priest says/sings "Ite, Missa est/Go forth, the Mass is ended," to which we respond "Deo gratias/Thanks be to God."
And now, without further ado...
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, if sung)
Community Mass (Richard Proulx) (Sanctus, Memorial, Amen, Agnus)
ALLELUIA: Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB
The rest: (ALL hymns and Mass music will be found in the Mass guide which you will find with the bulletin at the entrances of the Church.)
At the 9:00 Mass - the Most Reverend Richard G. Henning, Bishop of Providence will celebrate Mass and pray for the repose of the soul of the Reverend Richard A. Bucci, our pastor of nearly 23 years before his death on March 22, 2024. Coffee An' will follow in the hall immediately after Mass.
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS (All Masses)
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, if sung)
Community Mass (Richard Proulx) (Sanctus, Memorial, Amen, Agnus)
ALLELUIA: Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB
The rest: (ALL hymns and Mass music will be found in the Mass guide which you will find with the bulletin at the entrances of the Church.)
Two of our hymns this weekend have a "harvest" theme to it.
The entrance hymn is Come, ye thankful people, come. The second verse gives us, "First the blade and then the ear, then the full corn shall appear," which alludes to the passage in the day's Gospel in which Jesus speaks to the crowds, "Of its own accord the land yields fruit, first the blade,then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the grain is ripe, he wields the sickle at once, for the harvest has come."
The offertory hymn is Behold, a sower! from afar. Here the title alone alludes to the Alleluia verse just before the Gospel - "The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower. All who come to him will live for ever. As you will see, the Alleluia verse identifies that sower. While the tune is lesser known, it has been sung before here at Sacred Heart. A listen link is provided within the list below to familiarize, or re-familiarize yourself with the tune.
During Communion, you will hear a lesser-sung tune of the hymn Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All, written by Mother Alexis Donnelly of the Sisters of Mercy. It should be noted that there is a street in Cumberland, Rhode Island, next to the Sisters of Mercy convent, named after Mother Alexis (Alexis Donnelly Way, albeit it leads to the convent/health center and is not a public through street). My wife Ann and I happened to stumble upon it one day while taking a scenic drive through the back roads of northern Cumberland (the area known as Grant's Mills) and part of nearby Wrentham, Massachusetts.
For the Ordinary of the Mass, we will revert to using sung English settings from here until the end of October. For the next couple of months we will use A Community Mass by Richard Proulx for everything from the Sanctus through the Agnus Dei. If we get to sing a Gloria, it will be that of my own Holy Angels Mass. Here is a listen link, fresh from a St. Michael's Church in Stillwater, Minnesota.
Finally, the Mass Guide (attached to the bulletin as you enter the church) will include the text and melody for ALL the hymns. There will be no need to search in any of the books (we have three different books in the pews, so this is my attempt to make life a little easier for all). To the left above each hymn will be the title, to the right, the tune name. Under each melody, the text.
And now, without further ado...
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria, if sung)
Community Mass (Richard Proulx) (Sanctus, Memorial, Amen, Agnus)
ALLELUIA: Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB
The rest:
This Friday we have our patronal feast, that is, the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. Then the weekend Masses for the Tenth Sunday of the Year (or "Ordinary Time", or "Boring Time", according to someone Father Bucci once mentioned in a homily, or simply called "Sunday X" - the Roman numeral for "10", not like in "Gen X").
Much (not all) of the music for Friday will be repeated on Sunday. The readings today, especially the first reading and the Gospel, both talk about driving out sin. The Psalm for Sunday is Psalm 130 with the response "With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption." This day can easily be linked to the Sacred Heart solemnity with that simple prayer, "Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us." This also fulfills what Father Bucci would have done, and that's using the Sunday after the Solemnity as an "extended Solemnity" (readings and prayers differ, music remains mostly the same).
With that, I present to you...
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
Ordinary of the Mass: