This Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, is also known as "Laetare Sunday". "Laetare" is one of two Latin words used in the liturgical calendar that mean "Rejoice". The other is "Gaudete", which falls on the Third Sunday of Advent. As I mentioned in an earlier post, there are no organ preludes or postludes during Lent except for Solemnities (e.g. St. Joseph's Day, Annunciation) or Laetare Sunday. Therefore, we will have prelude and postlude before and after Mass this weekend only. After that, no further prelude until Easter Sunday and no further postlude until the Easter Vigil.
The Gospel this weekend speaks of the prodigal son, who wanted his share of his inheritance, then took off and squandered it. Much of today's hymnody reflects that, including Amazing grace ("I once was lost but now am found..."), which is our entrance hymn. We also have a classic from the St. Gregory Hymnal and Catholic Choir Book, My God, my Father, while I stray (the title says it all) during Communion, and Our Father we have wandered (opening pair of lines: "Our Father, we have wandered and hidden from your face, in foolishness have squandered your legacy of grace") as the recessional hymn. This hymn, which we last sung on Ash Wednesday, is sung to the familiar tune, Passion Chorale, which is also used with O Sacred Head surrounded, a Passiontide staple.
So this leads us to (drum roll, please):
MUSIC AT HOLY MASS
ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie XVII (or recited)
Sanctus and Agnus Dei XVII
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (Official ICEL chant)
Amen: single Amen sung on two notes: do do-re (A-men_), a capella.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (in lieu of Alleluia): Praise to you, Lord, Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
HYMNS, etc.
Entrance hymn: Amazing grace ("New Britain")
- You really don't need a listen link for "Amazing grace", do you?
Psalm 34: R./ Taste and see the goodness of the Lord (BMP) (PDF)
Offertory hymn: I sought the Lord ("Artavia") (Listen)
Recessional hymn: Our Father, we have wandered (Listen)
Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP
