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

THE THREE-DAY WEEKEND

Friday through Sunday, November 1-3, 2013

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Mass Ordinary:
- (Except All Souls) Messa Populare "Laus Tibi Christe", music by Federico Caudana.  This is the Mass we sang last month.  We're continuing it through Christ the King, except for All Souls Day.
- (All Souls) Mass XVIII (Pro Defunctis), Gregorian Chant.

Alleluia: taken from the hymn Christ is the King, Worship #500

ALL SAINTS - Friday XI-1-13; 9 AM and 6 PM

Entrance hymn: By all your saints still striving, Worship #706 (Listen)
- The tune is the same as the famed Palm Sunday processional, All glory, laud, and honor.

Responsorial Psalm: Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face, Worship #1053 (Listen)

Offertory hymn: Ye watchers and ye holy ones, Worship #707

Communion hymn: Who are these like stars appearing, Maroon #130

Recessional hymn: For all the saints, Worship #705 (Listen)

ALL SOULS - Saturday XI-2-13; 9 AM and 5 PM

Since the 5 PM Mass this Saturday is the memorial Mass for those parishioners departed over the past year, the music is that of All Souls, not for the Sunday as the normal occurance.  Also, since All Souls Day is a "commemoration of all the faithful departed", the Mass used (at both 9 AM AND 5 PM) is the "Missa pro defunctis", that is, the "Mass for the dead".  The sung Ordinary is the same as what you normally hear at a funeral at Sacred Heart, as well as the proper chant Introit (the Entrance that the Mass actually calls for, thus the name "proper"), the proper chant Communion, and the proper chant Recessional.  Back on XII-30-12, I wrote this little article for the parish music blog, explaining how the music for funerals come about.  All Souls is the same idea.

You will notice a difference in the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God).  The chant is the simple chant that you've sung many times before.  However, instead of "miserere nobis" (have mercy on us), the text is "dona eis requiem" (grant them rest), and instead of "dona nobis pacem" (grant us peace) at the end, the text is "dona eis requiem sempiternam" (grant them eternal rest - the melody is slightly extended).

Introit (Entrance chant): Requiem aeternam, Mode VI chant.

- Translation of the antiphon: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them.

Responsorial Psalm: My Shepherd is the Lord, nothing indeed shall I want, Worship #32 (Listen)

Offertory hymn: Jesus, Son of Mary, Maroon #223

- The tune is the same as the chant Adoro Te Devote, which you may have heard before. (Listen)

Communion proper: Lux aeterna, Mode VIII chant.

- Translation: May eternal light shine upon them O Lord, with your saints forever, for you are gracious. Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them, with your saints forever, for you are gracious.

Communion anthem: Pie Jesu, music by Gabriel Faure, sung by soloist Elaine.

- Similar to the Agnus Dei, except the text is Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem (and at the end, the added word sempiternam).  Translates to Loving Lord Jesus, grant them rest, and ending with grant them eternal rest.

Recessional chant: In Paradisum, Worship #178, in Latin.
- There is a translation in the Worship hymnal that goes along with this text.

SUNDAY XXXI OF ORDERED TIME
Sunday XI-3-13; 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM

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

Responsorial Psalm: I will praise your name for ever, my King and my God, music by yours truly.

Offertory hymn: Amazing grace, Worship #583
- I don't think we need to insert a listen link for this one. ;)

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

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

Recessional hymn: For all the saints, Worship #705

Peace,
BMP

SUNDAY XXX

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS (X-27-13)

Mass Ordinary and Alleluia: same as the past few Sundays/feasts

Hymn numbers today are in the red Worship hymnal.  All of the hymns are hymns we have used plenty of times before.  ;)

Entrance hymn: Praise, my soul, the King of heaven (#530)

Responsorial Psalm: The Lord hears the cry of the poor, music by yours truly
- Side note: We did a setting of Taste and see the goodness of the Lord to the same melody.

Offertory hymn: The King of love my shepherd is (#609)

Communion anthem: Omni Die dic Mariae / Daily, daily, sing to Mary
- Alternating Latin/English verses as time permits.

Meditation hymn: O Salutaris Hostia (#757)

- Though we've used three different tunes at Mass and at devotions, we're using the tune as written in the hymnal.

Recessional hymn: Go, make of all disciples (#628)

Peace,

BMP

SUNDAY XXIX

PS: Here's a little tantilizing tidbit: If this was five decades ago, next Sunday would have been Christ the King. As it is now, that's moved to November, and next Sunday is merely Sunday XXX (yes, that's "triple X", or, in Arabic numerals, "30"). 

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS - X-20-13

Mass Ordinary and Alleluia are the same as the past two weekends.

Hymn numbers given are in the maroon hymnal, except where noted.  Tunes of the hymns are those which we have sung in the past, some more often than others.

Entrance hymn: #326 To the Name of our salvation

Responsorial Psalm: Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121), setting by John Schiavone (antiphon) and Joseph Gelineau (Psalm verses).  Music in Worship, #951.

Offertory hymn: #289 O God, our help in ages past 

Communion anthem: Ave Maria, music by Lorenzo Perosi

Meditation hymn: #355, First Tune At the name of Jesus 

Recessional hymn: #537 Christ for the world, we sing 

- Tune is the same as Come, Thou Almighty King, but with a couple of minor alterations.

Peace,

BMP

SUNDAY XXVIII and MARIAN DEVOTIONS

I had forgotten to post the music for Marian devotions, in the midst of moving - it's been a bit hectic.  The music for all five Tuesdays (October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 - 7 PM) are as follows:

Entrance hymn: Worship #708 Immaculate Mary

As the Blessed Sacrament is placed on the altar: O Salutaris Hostia, setting by Anthony Werner

- While this isn't the tune that's in most hymnals, it seems to be the most popular in most parishes.

Rosary and Litany are prayed.

After the Litany: Tantum Ergo, setting by Orestes Ravanello

- a familiar setting here.

As the Blessed Sacrament is returned to the Tabernacle: Adoremus in aeternum Sanctissimum Sacramentum, Chant, Mode V

- Translation: Let us adore for ever the Most Holy Sacrament.  Psalm 117 is sung in between (in Latin), followed by the Gloria Patri (Glory be to the Father).

Recessional hymn: Worship #702 Hail, holy Queen enthroned above 

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

SUNDAY XXVIII - X-13-13

Mass Ordinary: Messa Populare Laus Tibi Christe, music by Federico Caudana

- We resumed use of this Mass last weekend.

All numbers given are in the red Worship hymnal.

All are tunes we have sung before - multiple times. ;)

Entrance hymn: #547 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty 

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 98 - The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power, music by Richard Rice

Alleluia: music by Theodore Marier (famed founder of the Boston Archdiocesan Choir School)

Offertory hymn: #750 Your hands, O Lord, in days of old 

Communion anthem: O that I had a thousand voices, music by Samuel Metzner

- Though this is the choral anthem during Communion, you are at liberty to follow along.  It's #546 in the Worship hymnal.

Meditation hymn: #758 Tantum ergo (the tune actually in the hymnal)

Recessional hymn: #494 All hail the pow'r of Jesus' Name

Peace,

BMP

FIRST FRIDAY and SUNDAY XXVII

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Mass Ordinary for October and November (except All Souls): Messa Populare Laus Tibi Christe, music by Federico Caudana.  This is the Mass set we did from Trinity Sunday until the end of June.

Alleluia: music by Theodore Marier, which we last sang in those Sundays of Ordinary Time that fell in January and February.

FIRST FRIDAY - SACRED HEART COMMUNITY MASS
(October 4)

Entrance hymn: O Sacred Heart, O Love Divine, on sheet provided

Responsorial Psalm: Mass of the day in the daily Mass propers in the missalette.  Musical setting to be determined.

Offertory anthem: Cor Dulce, Cor Amabile

Communion anthem: Cor Jesu Trinitatis

Recessional hymn: To Jesus' Heart, all-burning, on sheet provided

SUNDAY XXVII OF ORDINARY (Ordered) TIME
(October 5/6)

Numbers given are in the MAROON hymnal.

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

Responsorial Psalm: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts, music by Owen Alstott (music found in the missalette with the readings for October 6)

Offertory hymn: 393 Faith of our fathers
- Cute little side note: a parishioner at one of my former parishes once asked me, "Hey Brian, what's up with all the Protestant music?  Faith of Our Fathers?  There's a Wideness in God's Mercy?"  The parishioner's jaw dropped to the ground when I told her that although the two texts are popular amongst the Protestant congregations, the texts of those two hymns were written by Fr. Frederick W. Faber, a Catholic priest.

Communion hymn: Ave Verum, music by Lorenzo Perosi
- sung at all Masses except 7:30 (at 7:30 Mass, it will be played as an organ instrumental)

Meditation hymn: 462 (first tune) Jesus, the very thought of thee

Recessional hymn: 570 (second tune) O Jesus, I have promised

Peace,
BMP

SUNDAY XXVI and DECODING A HYMN

A little primer on some of the information that appears along with a given hymn that appears in a hymnal.  To some, I'm preaching to the choir, but to the curious, this is some good knowledge.

The credits in the red Worship hymnal are quite easy, as the information on the text (lyrics) and the tune (music) are both at the bottom of hymn.  Very basic: Next to the word "Text" is the author's name and lifespan, or the source/book it may have been first published from and the year it was published.  Next to the word "Tune" is the name of the actual tune, its "meter" (explanations further down on this post) composer's name and lifespan, or the original source, or, if it's chant, the "mode" ("Chant, Mode ___" - blank will be a Roman numeral from I to VIII).  More information about Gregorian modes here.

In the maroon hymnal, it's a little different, and rather interesting when you consider the year of origin for that hymnal: 1940.  Even the supplements of 1981 (where the hymns numbered in the 770's and 780's are located) follow this pattern:  As you may notice there are no titles along with the hymns.  However, there is an "index of first lines" in the back, before the supplements.  At the top, you will see, to the left, the tune name, in the middle, the "meter", and to the right, the composer information.  At the bottom right corner, you'll find the author/source of the text.

A little information on "tune".  It is not the title of the hymn, but the title of the tune assigned to it.

Now, some information on "meter".  Those numbers that go along with the tune name (e.g. 87.87. or 10.10.10.10) or letters (C.M. or S.M.D.) are the number of syllables of each line of a hymn (or in the case of 87.87., pairs of lines).  87.87. means that there are two pairs of lines with eight and seven syllables each, respectively.  Look at the tune "Stuttgart" (Come, thou long-exptected Jesus, #1 in the maroon hymnal, for example).  That has an 87.87. meter.  A "D" at the end of a meter code means "double".  Thus, 87.87.D. means four pairs of lines with eight and seven syllables, respectively (examples: "Hyfrydol" - Alleluia! sing to Jesus and "Pleading Savior" - Sing of Mary, pure and lowly).  Then there are the lettered codes "SM", "CM", and "LM", and their doubles "SMD", "CMD", and "LMD".  "SM" is "short meter", which is 66.86.  "CM" is "common meter", that is, 86.86..  "LM" is "long meter", or 88.88.  You may see the words "with Refrain" or "with Alleluias" added - self-explanatory.  Finally, for those hymns who don't have the same number of syllables in each verse (for example, "The First Nowell"), you will see the word "Irregular" or "Irregular with Refrain" as the meter.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

The numbers given for this weekend refer to the maroon hymnal.  And based on the lesson I just gave above, I'll include the meter with the hymns.  The Alleluia and the sung Mass Ordinary are the same as the previous few weeks.  Next weekend, we will be switching to another set.

Entrance hymn: Round the Lord in glory seated (#260, meter: 87.87.D.) (Listen)

Responsorial Psalm: Praise the Lord, my soul, music by yours truly

 

Offertory hymn: Son of God, eternal Savior (#500, meter: 87.87.D.) (Listen)

- Side note: because this hymn and the entrance hymn (Round the Lord in glory seated) have the same meter, their tunes can be interchangeable.

Communion anthem: O Sacrum Convivium, music by Roberto Remondi

Meditation hymn: Blest are the pure in heart (#418, meter: SM, that is, 66.86.) (Listen)

Recessional hymn: Ye watchers and ye holy ones (#599, meter: 88.44.88. with Alleluias)

- The "44" are normally "alleluias" as well, but in some verses get replaced by such text as "Lead their praises", "O_ praise him", or "O_ sing ye".  The Alleluias mentioned in the meter are the five alleluias at the end of each verse.

Peace,

BMP

SUNDAY XXV

XXV: That's two sawbucks and a fin! ;)

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Two of the hymns we're using this Sunday are sung to the same tunes as other hymns we've sung before.  Sung Mass (Ordinary, Psalm, and Alleluia) are the same as the last three Sundays.

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

- This is the same tune as another hymn we sang during Paschaltide, Rejoice, angelic choirs, rejoice.

Responsorial Psalm: Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor, music by Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB.

Offertory hymn: For the healing of the nations (Worship #643) 

- This is the same tune as another hymn we sing more often, Christ is made the sure foundation.

Communion anthem: In heavenly love abiding (Maroon #431)

- This will be sung as a choir piece, but the number is here if you would like to join.

Meditation hymn: O Jesus, joy of loving hearts (Worship #605) (Listen)

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

Peace,

BMP

SUNDAY XXIV

IX-15; MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Except for the Psalm, every piece on the list for this coming weekend is something we've done multiple times before.  Numbers refer to the Maroon hymnal.

Alleluia and Mass Ordinary: same as the last two Sundays

Entrance hymn: 343, first tune  Praise to the Holiest in the height

Responsorial Psalm: I will rise and go to my Father, music by Owen Alstott

- music found in Missalette along with the readings for September 15

Offertory hymn: 415, first tune  Jesus, Lover of my soul 

Communion anthem: Ave Verum, music by Camille Saint-Saëns

Meditation hymn: 345, first tune  The King of love my shepherd is 

Recessional hymn: 342 Jesus, Name all names above 

Peace,

BMP

THE BUSY BUSY THREE-DAY WEEKEND

This weekend, we have it all.  First Friday Mass at 6 PM, Saturday Funeral Mass at 9 AM, Saturday Nuptial Mass at 2:30 PM, and the usual Saturday/Sunday schedule.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS:

FIRST FRIDAY, IX-6, 6 PM

SACRED HEART COMMUNITY MASS

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

Responsorial Psalm: I trust in the mercy of God for ever, Psalm Tone 8g

Alleluia: music by Robert Twynham (same as last Sunday)

Offertory hymn: Cor Dulcis, Cor Amabile

Ordinary of the Mass: Community Mass (same as last Sunday)

Communion anthem: Panis Angelicus, music by Cesar Franck

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

FUNERAL MASS, IX-7, 9 AM

Introit: Requiem Aeternam, Chant, Mode VI

- sung while the procession approaches the casket

Entrance hymn: Worship #704 Lift high the cross

- sung while the procession approaches the altar

Responsorial Psalm: Worship #32, antiphon I My shepherd is the Lord, nothing indeed shall I want, music by Joseph Gelineau, SJ

Alleluia: same as last Sunday

Offertory anthem: Ave Maria, music by Tomas Luis da Victoria

Ordinary of the Mass: Mass XVIII, pro defunctis

Communion hymn: Maroon #431 In heav'nly love abiding

Final Commendation: I believe that my Redeemer lives, music by Henri St. Louis

- Henri St. Louis is organist at Holy Apostles Church in Cranston.  He is a well-known local concert organist and choral director as well, working with the Salisbury Singers.

Recessional hymn: Worship #178 In Paradisum

NUPTIAL MASS, IX-7, 2:30 PM

Alleluia and Ordinary: same as last Sunday

Entrance march: The Prince of Denmark's March, Jeremiah Clarke

Responsorial Psalm: Worship #819 The earth is full of the goodness, the goodness of the Lord, music by J. Robert Carroll and Joseph Gelineau, SJ

Offertory anthem: Ave Maria, music by Franz Schubert

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

Recessional march: Trumpet Tune, Henry Purcell

- Henry Purcell also wrote the music we normally sing to the hymn Christ is made the sure foundation (Worship #617, Maroon #780)

SUNDAY XXIII OF ORDERED TIME, IX-8

Alleluia and Ordinary: same as last Sunday

Entrance hymn: Worship #675 When morning gilds the skies (Listen)

Gloria: recited or Mass VIII

Responsorial Psalm: In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge, music by yours truly

Offertory hymn: Worship #634 Take up your cross

Communion anthem: Like as the hart, music by Vincent Novello

Meditation hymn: Worship #491 To Christ, the Prince of Peace

Recessional hymn: Worship #704 Lift high the cross

Peace,

BMP

SUNDAY XXII

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Ordinary of the Mass: If we sing the Gloria, it will be the chant setting from Mass VIII.  For the rest of the sung Ordinary (Sanctus through Agnus Dei), we will continue Community Mass for September.  The singing has really come along very nicely for this setting.  (Your humble organist listens to these things, you know!) ;)

All numbers for the hymns are in the Maroon hymnal.

Entrance hymn: 315 We gather together (a familiar classic)

Responsorial Psalm: God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor, music by Owen Alstott (found in the Missalette with the readings for September 1)

Alleluia: music by Robert Twynham (we will use this throughout September)

Offertory hymn: 203 My God, thy table now is spread (Listen)

- Hymn starts at about the 56-second mark of the video linked above.  You might recognize the tune, as it is also used with When I survey the wondrous cross.

Communion anthem: Cantate Domino canticum novum, music by Vincent d'Indy.

- Based on Psalm 96 (Psalm 95 in the Latin Vulgate Bible), the title translates simply, Sing to the Lord a new song.

Meditation hymn: 477 God himself is with us (Listen) (verses 1 and 3 only)

Recessional hymn: 352 Crown him with many crowns (another familiar classic)

Peace,
BMP

SUNDAY XXI

VIII-25-13

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Alleluia and Mass Ordinary same as the last few weeks.  All numbers given are in the red Worship hymnal.

Entrance hymn: 669 All people that on earth do dwell

- same tune as Praise God, from whom all blessings flow.  If all goes right, we may pull off the arrangement by Ralph Vaughan Williams, titled The Old Hundredth Psalm Tune.  Vaughan Williams wrote this arrangement for choir, orchestra (with "all available trumpets") and organ, for the coronation of Her Majesty, Elizabeth II, Queen of England, in 1953.  If the Archbishop of Canterbury agreed to allow a hymn at the coronation, Vaughan Williams offered to make "a mess-up of Old Hundredth", thus the arrangement that hopefully you will get to hear as you sing this Psalm 100-based hymn.

Responsorial Psalm: Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News, music adapted by yours truly from the Benediction chant Adoremus in aeternum Sanctissimum Sacramentum.  (View score)  The Psalm is the same Psalm that goes with the Benediction chant, but in English.

Offertory hymn: 690 Jerusalem, my happy home (Listen) (nice Early American tune!)

Communion anthem: Be thou my vision, music by Jean-Hubert Desrocquettes, arranged by yours truly

Meditation hymn: 729 O Food of exiles lowly (Listen)
- The text sung in the listen link is the Latin O Esca Viatorum, from which the hymn we will be singing is translated.  The tune will be the tune in the listen link, written by Heinrich Isaak, and harmonized by Johann Sebastian Bach.
- Incidentally, some might be familiar with another hymn sung to this same tune: O Sacred Heart, all-holy.  This is one of the first English hymns that was written since English hymns were allowed at Low Mass.

Recessional hymn: 628 Go, make of all disciples

Peace,
BMP

TWO ITALIAN SAINTS and SUNDAY XX

Our two saints from the hometown of Fornelli are feasted this Saturday at the 5:00 PM Mass - San Pietro Martire and San Domenico Abate.  Our brass trio will be on hand for this Mass.

Speaking of our brass trio, please send up a prayer, or two, or three, for our retiring second trumpeter and flugelhornist, Mr. Chris Lawson.  He is experiencing some pretty bad dental problems, and those can have a great effect on the playing of any instrument by mouth.  His replacement this Saturday will be Mr. Alphonse (Al) Testa.  I'm hoping he works out to the point where he will be a keeper. ;)

There are two distinct music lists this weekend, one for the 5:00 Mass on Saturday (the parish feast), and one for the three Sunday Masses (Sunday XX of Ordered Time).

The Propers (readings, prayers, and Psalm) for the parish feast are still those appointed for the Sunday.  Only the hymns, anthems, and music for the Mass Ordinary will differ.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Saturday VIII-17-13: Parish Feast

Entrance hymn: Worship 547 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Gloria: Missa "Te Deum Laudamus", music by Lorenzo Perosi

- This is a two-part choral setting that we used at the 11:15 AM Mass on June 30, at which we honored SS. Peter and Paul.

Responsorial Psalm: Lord, come to my aid, music by Owen Alstott

- music found in missalette under "August 18".

Alleluia: music by Owen Alstott (the same as we've done the past few weeks)

Offertory anthem: Cor Jesu Trinitatis, sung to an altered form of the tune Gott soll Gepriesen.  

- Those who have attended First Friday Masses have heard this before.  Has a nice little trumpet descant penned by yours truly.  (sung in Latin)

Sanctus through Agnus Dei: Messa Populare "Laus Tibi Christe", music by Federico Caudana

- the setting we used throughout the month of June.

Communion anthem: I Cieli Immensi, by Benedetto Marcello (sung in Italian)

Meditation hymn: Worship 488 Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All 

Recessional hymn: Worship 524 Holy God, we praise Thy Name, arranged by yours truly

Sunday VIII-18-13: Sunday XX

Entrance hymn: Worship 558 Father, we thank thee who hast planted (Listen)

Gloria: recited, or Mass VIII (Father's discretion)

- For those who attended the 9 AM or 7 PM Mass this Thursday past for the Assumption, Mass VIII is the Gloria we sang.

Responsorial Psalm and Alleluia: same as the parish feast, listed above

Offertory hymn: Worship 813 Hail, our Savior's glorious body (sung in English) (Listen)

- This is the Mode III chant tune that is most common for Pange, Lingua, Gloriosi, one of the beloved Eucharistic hymns written by St. Thomas Aquinas.  The last two verses of this hymn is the Tantum Ergo.

Sanctus through Agnus Dei: A Community Mass, music by Richard Proulx

- the setting we've been using throughout July and August (with the exception of this Saturday)

Communion anthem: I Cieli Immensi, by Benedetto Marcello (sung in Italian)

Meditation anthem: Panis Angelicus, music by Pére Louis Lambillotte, SJ

- THREE LITTLE FACTOIDS: 1) This is another one of those texts given to us by St. Thomas Aquinas.  2) Just like the Tantum Ergo is the end of the Pange Lingua, the Panis Angelicus (Bread of Angels) is the end of another hymn, Sacriis Solemniis (At our solemn Feast).  3) The French Jesuit Fr. Lambillotte, who gave us the music we're singing for the Panis Angelicus this Sunday, is the same priest who wrote the music for two other well-known hymns: On this day, O beautiful Mother, and Come, Holy Ghost.

Recessional hymn: Worship 520 All creatures of our God and King

Peace,
BMP

ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

Masses Wednesday, August 14, at 6 PM,
and Thursday, August 15, at 9 AM and 7 PM

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

All numbers are in the red hymnal, Worship, all of which are familiar.  The Alleluia and sung Ordinary from the Sanctus through the Agnus Dei remain the same.

Entrance hymn: 702 Hail, holy Queen enthroned above

Gloria: Gloria VIII (chant), or recited (Father's discretion)

Responsorial Psalm: The queen stands at your right hand arrayed in gold, music by yours truly

- Click here for instructional video I created about this Psalm setting for my own podcast series "iSNARK! TV" two years ago (That year, the holy day fell on a Monday, and the obligation was lifted).

Offertory hymn: 712 O Sanctissima

Communion anthem: 

- (Evening Masses): Ave Maria, setting by Franz Schubert (cantor: Elaine)

- (Morning Mass): Ave Maria, setting by Jacob Arcadelt (cantor: yours truly)

Meditation hymn: 703 Salve Regina 

Recessional hymn: 708 Immaculate Mary

Peace,

BMP

SUNDAY XIX

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Alleluia and Sung Mass Ordinary same as the previous few weeks.

Entrance hymn: Maroon #780 (in the back "supplement" section) Christ is made the sure foundation

Responsorial Psalm: Worship #921 Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own, music of the antiphon by Fr. Columba Kelly, OSB; music of the versicles by Pére Joseph Gelineau, SJ

Offertory hymn: Maroon #4 Rejoice, rejoice, believers (Listen)

Communion anthem: Soul of my Savior, music by William J. Maher, arrangement from the Pius X Hymnal

Meditation hymn: Maroon #356, first tune At the Name of Jesus (Listen)

Recessional hymn: Maroon #600 Ye holy angels bright
- Same tune as Rejoice, the Lord is King, which we sang a couple of weeks ago.

Peace,
BMP

FIRST FRIDAY and SUNDAY XVIII

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Sung Alleluia and Ordinary of the Mass same as the last few weeks.

VIII-2-13 at 6 PM: FIRST FRIDAY

Entrance hymn: O Sacred Heart, O Love Divine

Responsorial Psalm: Sing with joy to God, our help, music by yours truly.

Offertory hymn: Back of missalette, #38, Soul of my Savior (Listen)

- Those who frequent our First Friday Masses will get a head start on this one.  It will also be our meditation hymn for this Saturday and Sunday.  Also, the duet and I have sung this piece before as an anthem during Holy Communion.  The hymn is a translation of the beloved Anima Christi. 

Communion hymn: Cor Jesu Trinitatis, music: altered form of Gott Soll Gepriesen

Recessional hymn: To Jesus' Heart, all-burning

VIII-4-13: SUNDAY XVIII of ORDERED TIME

Entrance hymn: Maroon hymnal, #301, Immortal, invisible, God only wise (Listen)

Responsorial Psalm: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts, music by Owen Alstott

- music as written in the missalette for August 4

Offertory hymn: Maroon hymnal, #424, I heard the voice of Jesus say (Listen)

- Neither of the two tunes in the Maroon hymnal are familiar, so we are singing the words from the hymnal to the more familiar tune (see Listen link above)

Communion anthem: Cantate Domino Canticum Novum, music by Vincent d'Indy

Meditation hymn: Back of missalette, #38, Soul of my Savior

- See First Friday list, above, for notes on this hymn.

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

Peace,
BMP

SUNDAY XVII and the so-called INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE

One of the most loved hymns sung in Catholic and Protestant churches alike is Faith of Our Fathers.  The text was written by Frederick W. Faber, who was raised Anglican, but became a Catholic priest.  In fact, Fr. Faber was a Catholic priest at the time he wrote Faith of Our Fathers, and many other hymns.  His second most popular is probably There's a Wideness in God's Mercy.  However, it is Faith of Our Fathers that we will be singing at the Offertory this Sunday.

As many have probably seen in our Worship hymnal (this edition of Worship we use is the third edition, 1986), there is a sizable number of hymns whose texts have been altered so that they contain this so-called inclusive language.  A couple of things must be understood.  1) Hymn texts are poetry.  They are not conversation.  2) In such poetry, that is, the hymn texts, words such as "mankind", "fathers", "brothers", were intended to include women, too.  "Man" is treated as a translation of the Latin word "homo" (and its more popular form "hominis"), which pertains to the human being, as opposed to the more masculine "vir", which pertains to the male gender.  Despite this explanation I give, a number of left wingers, circa 1980, decided that the hymn texts "weren't fair" to women and needed a change.  Just like many politicians these days feel our Constitution needs a change.  The need for such change is a myth, for the two reasons I stated above.

Putting two-and-two together, how many remember the book Monthly Missalette?  This is the missalette that was used in many a parish before Today's Missal and its infamous Music Issue became popular.  Until about 1987, Faith of Our Fathers appeared in every edition of Monthly Missalette (which, by the way, became Seasonal Missalette around 1985).  Anyways, for about a year, there was no Faith of Our Fathers, and I chatted with someone from the publisher, J. S. Paluch Company of Chicago, Illinois.  When I asked about the absence of the beloved hymn, the rep from Paluch said, "Oh, the ladies have been screaming over that!"  I found that awfully hard to believe, as many ladies sang (and still sing) this hymn boldly.  The hymn was eventually restored.

Worse scenario: Since 1997, GIA Publications, the publishers of our Worship hymnal, have removed Faith of Our Fathers and replaced it with A Living Faith, which is an ill-fated attempt to eliminate the entire meaning of the former.  Thankfully, the edition of Worship we have kept Faith of Our Fathers pretty much intact.  However, we'll be using the authentic text, which is in our maroon hymnal.

Moral of the story: the need for so-called "inclusive language" is a myth, and nothing but.

That said...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Numbers for this Sunday will once again be from the Maroon hymnal.

Alleluia and Mass Ordinary will be the same throughout July and August.

Entrance hymn: 484 Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates (which we've done before)

Responsorial Psalm: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me, music by Frs. Ralph Verdi (antiphon) and Joseph Gelineau (verses).  Can be found in Worship at #415.

Offertory hymn: 393 Faith of our fathers (Yes, the REAL Faith of our fathers)

Communion anthem: To you I lift my soul, text by John Dunn, music by John Ireland
- John Dunn was assistant to Ted Marier at the Boston Archdiocesan Choir School (now St. Paul's Choir School) at St. Paul's Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Marier was the Choir School's founding director and wrote a good number of hymn tunes, as well as a good number of accompaniments to Gregorian chant tunes.  Dunn wrote a good number of hymn texts, many based on Psalms, many of which appear in the hymnal Hymns, Psalms, and Spiritual Canticles, which was published at the Choir School (latest edition, 1984) and still used at St. Paul's and a handful of other parishes today.

Meditation hymn: 211 Come with us, O blessed Jesus (Listen)
- The tune used here, Werde Munter, is also used for the classic Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, arranged by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Recessional hymn: 277 From all that dwell below the skies (familiar tune)
- Another memory from the aforementioned Monthly Missalette:  All those issues I grew up with in the 1970's and 1980's contained Praise God, from whom all blessings flow as the first verse and From all that dwell below the skies (a hymn in itself) as the next two verses.  In the maroon hymnal, it's flip-flopped - From all that dwell is the first two verses and Praise God is the final verse.

Peace,
BMP

SUNDAY XVI

VII-21-13; MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Numbers for this Sunday will once again be from the Maroon hymnal.

Alleluia and Mass Ordinary will be the same throughout July and August.

Entrance hymn: 326 To the Name of our salvation (Listen)
- Hymn linked is Joseph, be our guide and pattern, which uses the same tune.

Responsorial Psalm: He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord, music by Owen Alstott (melody can be found in the missalette under July 21)

 

Offertory hymn: 438, first tune I need thee every hour (Listen)

 

Communion anthem: Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All, music by Mother Alexis Donnelly of the Sisters of Mercy.  Special thanks to David Sylvester, my predecessor and good friend, for furnishing me the music to this.

 

Meditation hymn: 462, first tune Jesus, the very thought of thee (Listen)

 

Recessional hymn: 355, first tune All hail the pow'r of Jesus' Name (Listen)

- Sorry, we don't use crashing cymbals.  But a nice triumphant tune just the same without them. ;)

 

Peace,

BMP

SUNDAY XV

VII-14-13; MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

The sung Ordinary of the Mass and the Alleluia are the same settings as we did last Sunday.  We'll be using these throughout July and August.

 

The hymn numbers for this Sunday are all in the Maroon Hymnal.

 

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

- familiar tune, same as Alleluia! sing to Jesus.

 

Responsorial Psalm: Turn to the Lord in your need and you will live, music by Owen Alstott.

- musical setting as found in the missalette under "July 14".

 

Offertory hymn: 415, first tune Jesus, lover of my soul

- We last sang this on June 16.

 

Communion anthem: Ubi caritas, chant, Mode VI

- Although intended to be used as an anthem, it's easy enough for the people to join in.  You can find this in the Worship hymnal at #598.  We will be singing the text in Latin.  The English text is there as a guide.

 

Meditation hymn: 345, first tune The King of love my shepherd is (Listen)

 

Recessional hymn: 350 Rejoice, the Lord is king (Listen)

- Note: The Maroon hymnal uses two different tunes for this text.  However, we are using the tune in the listen link given, as it is far more familiar.  Please follow the hymnal, however, for the words.

 

Peace,
BMP

FIRST FRIDAY and SUNDAY XIV

The three-day weekend!

For the months of July and August, we'll be using A Community Mass by Richard Proulx for the sung settings of the Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation (When we eat this bread...), Amen, and Agnus Dei (all in English).  If the Gloria is sung, it will be Latin, using the chant setting from Mass VIII, which we have done before.

VII-5-13 (6 PM); SACRED HEART COMMUNITY MASS
(First Friday)

Entrance hymn: sheet in pew, O Sacred Heart, O Love Divine

Responsorial Psalm: missalette (Daily Mass section, July 5), psalm tone 8G

Alleluia: music by Owen Alstott

Offertory hymn: Cor Jesu Trinitatis
- Those who were at the 11:15 Mass last Sunday heard this at the offertory.

Ordinary of the Mass: A Community Mass, music by Richard Proulx

- Click here to hear the complete Mass.  As for the music we're singing from it, the Sanctus starts at the 3:45 mark, the Memorial Acclamation (When we eat this bread...) starts at the 5:30 mark, the Amen starts at the 6:40 mark, and the Agnus Dei starts at the 7:00 mark.  I know it's been a few months since we've sung an English setting, and for that reason I should remind everyone that the English Sanctus is "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts", (not "God of power and might").

 

Communion hymn: Panis Angelicus, music from a Hungarian source

 

Recessional hymn: sheet in pew, To Jesus' Heart, all-burning

 

VII-7-13; Sunday XIV

 

Hymn numbers today will all be found in the red Worship hymnal.

 

Entrance hymn: 615 The kingdom of God (Listen)

- The hymn Ye servants of God, which is heard in the listen link, is the same tune as the hymn we will be singing.  This tune is also used for Sing praise to the Lord (or it's original title, O praise ye the Lord).  It is one a few tunes in the Worship hymnal that are written by English composer Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry.  Sir Parry's choral music has been used at many a royal ceremony at Westminster Abbey, and is a favorite composer of Prince Charles.

- The source of the listen link given here is the Shrine of the Little Flower, Baltimore, Maryland.

 

Gloria (if sung): Mass VIII

 

Responsorial Psalm: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy, music by yours truly

 

Alleluia: see First Friday list, above

 

Offertory hymn: 470 Lord, you give the great commission (Listen)

- The above-listed Gloria is also included in the listen link.  The organist and conductor in this video is an internet friend of mine, Mr. Mark Husey.  This was taken at his parish, St. Peter's in Columbia, South Carolina.

 

Ordinary of the Mass: see First Friday list, above

 

Communion anthem: In the cross of Christ I glory, melody from Southern Harmony, arranged by yours truly

- Southern Harmony is an Early American collection of hymn tunes.  You may sing along if you wish.  The melody is in the maroon hymnal, #777.

 

Meditation hymn: 728 Shepherd of souls

 

Recessional hymn: 628 Go, make of all disciples

 

Peace,

BMP