Gaudete in Domino semper; iterum dico, "Gaudete!"
That is how the introit appointed for the Third Sunday of Advent begins. Its translation is "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, "Rejoice!" St. Paul writes to the Philippians in this Sunday's Epistle reading those same words. The Lesson from Zephaniah for the day says, "Be glad and exult (synonym for "rejoice") with all your heart." And even the Psalm response (note that the Responsorial Psalm is not a Psalm but a passage from Isaiah (12:2-6): "Cry out with joy and gladness", and doubles up on the third versicle.
The offertory and recessional hymns, as well as the responsory I selected for Communion, all bid "Rejoice!" in some way, shape or form, while the entrance hymn mentions John the Baptist's announcement of the Lord's coming. The Second and Third Sundays of Advent could easily be called "John the Baptist Sundays", eh? Yea, I say!
That said...
MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei: Mass XVII
The Gloria is OMITTED.
Memorial Acclamation: Mortem tuam annuntiamus, Domine... (Jubilate Deo chant)
Amen: adapted from the Sanctus melody from Mass VIII
ALLELUIA "Conditor Alme" (BMP) (
PDF)
The rest:
Entrance hymn: On Jordan's bank ("Winchester New")
- John's announcement of the coming of our Lord.
Responsorial Psalm (Isaiah 12:2-6): R./ Cry out with joy and gladness, for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel. (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
Offertory hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel ("Veni, Emmanuel")
- Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!
Communion responsory: Magnificat anima mea Dominum (Tone 8g/Ciro Grassi)
- Translation: My soul rejoices in my God. The first verse continues: "My spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
Recessional hymn: Rejoice! the Lord is King ("Darwall's 148th"), verses 1 and 4
- The refrain concludes: Rejoice, again I say, "Rejoice!" While this hymn is normally used for the Solemnity of Christ the King, the refrain and the fourth verse are especially fitting here. Verse 4 sings, "Rejoice in glorious hope; Our Lord the Judge shall come and take his servants up to there eternal home. Lift up your heart, lift up your voice; Rejoice, again I say, 'Rejoice'"
Gaudete in Domino semper! Iterum dico, "Gaudete!"
Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP
