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.)
Psalm 30: R./ I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me (Theodore Marier, 1912-2001, from his brainchild hymnal, Hymns, Psalms and Spiritual Canticles)
