Wednesday, December 30, 2020

The Twelve Days of Christmas

My first Epistle since the Kung Flu broke loose here in the States...

Ever since I was about five years old, I fell in love with The Twelve Days of Christmas.  I think most of the reason I liked it so much is that I was always fascinated with numbers.  I was so fascinated with numbers that math was my strong suit throughout grade school   Not just in the schoolwork involved at that time, but channels on the TV (when you had big console TV's and you had to actually get up off your gluteus maximus, approach the TV, then change the channels), the dial on my mom's washing machine (I had the dial memorized when I was in kindergarten, or as the kids at that school called it then, "junior first"), and the thing that drove my mom absolutely bonkers, speedometers.  I used to draw so many different styles of speedometers when I was a kid that my mother couldn't stand it.  I filled almost a whole scratch pad with speedometers one time on our way back from Syracuse, NY (six hour drive, just about 300 miles-give or take).  She was PO'd, to say the least!

Anyhoo, The Twelve Days of Christmas, to me in illo tempore, was about numbers.  This was even cooler than Sesame Street!  I'm going to share the five versions I've always enjoyed.

The first version I remember listening to was sung by the Ralph Hunter Choir and part of an album my parents had called RCA Victor Presents Music For the Twelve Days of Christmas.  And the back cover had all 12 gifts which "my true love sent to me" (that is, the Lord).  I might have been even more amazed that the guy who sang the "six geese a-laying" part sounded a bit like Tony the Tiger.  HEY!  I WAS FIVE THEN!

Of course, later in life, there were the Muppets and the Chipmunks.  The Chipmunks' version of XII Diebus in Nativitate is highlighted, of course, by Alvin eventually letting Dave Seville know in no uncertain terms that he's getting tired in days 8, 9, and 10, with all the Chipmunks messing around in day 11 (Eleven pipers peeping, ten milking jumpers, and a whole bunch of giggling).

The Muppets' version of 12 Days is highlighted (to me) by Miss Piggy's "ba dum bum bum" after the "five gold rings" is sung out.  In fact, I liked it so much, that when I was music director at St. Teresa's in Pawtucket (August 1998-June 1999), our children's choir was invited to sing at two different Hasbro locations.  My cousin's wife (little did I know at the time she worked for Hasbro) coordinated the event.  So, while we did do serious religious Christmas carols (O Come, All Ye Faithful, and the like), we added Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (inserting, on the repeat, such things as "you would even say it glows LIKE A LIGHT BULB!") and The Twelve Days, at which, on the 12th day, I let them do the "ba dum bum bum".  It was well-received.

A lesser known version, my mom picked up this record at Ann & Hope, was Tennessee Ernie Ford's Sing We Now of Christmas, which had his own version of The 12 Days, with a chorus to help him out.  My highlights of that one were Ford's "two turtle doves" in his best basso profundo, and the run-right-through-em-all top speed 12th day.  Not even a pause at "five gold rings!"

The award for the most seriously-orchestrated-and-arranged version of The Twelve Days (that I've ever heard in my 56 years anyways) comes shortly after hearing the Ralph Hunter Choir version (scroll up four paragraphs).  This wicked serious but sometimes even haunting version comes from one of the two Firestone albums my parents had.  This one was Your Favorite Christmas Carols, Volume 2.  (They also had Your Favorite Christmas Music, Volume 4, and two Goodyear albums, The Great Songs of Christmas, Volumes 3 and 4.)  The Firestone album featured mezzo-soprano Risë Stevens, tenor Brian Sullivan, the Columbus Boychoir (now the American Boychoir since moving to New Jersey), along with the Firestone Orchestra and Chorus.  This version goes through several key changes and finally a modulation, different voices and arrangements for each little phrase (and hardly the same phrase twice after the "five gold rings").  Here are the keys for each "day"...
Days 1 and 2 - E-flat
Days 3 and 4 - A-flat
Day 5 - F
Day 6 - B-flat
Day 7 - E-flat
Day 8 - A-flat (the counterclockwise joy ride of the circle of fifths stops here)
Days 9, 10, and 11 - F
Day 12 - the GRAND modulation to G (the horn parts at the start of the verse and after the "six geese a-laying" gave me goosebumps back then, and still do now).
Give it a listen! Duodecim Diebus  begins at about the 30:24 mark.

And on this moment, five minutes shy of entering the seventh day of Christmas, in which the swans are a-swimming ever so gracefully, I say, "good night!"

Happy and blessed Christmas season, and my prayers to all for an IMPROVED 2021.

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

The Remainder of Lent

Before I begin my post, any and all prayers for the full recovery of our pastor, Fr. Richard Bucci, will be greatly appreciated.  Fr. Bucci was in a very bad car crash on Tuesday, March 3.  The good news is that he's coming along very well - better than many expected!

Usually the working agreement is that Fr. Bucci selects the hymns for Holy Mass, while I select the rest (Psalm, Communion, Mass Ordinary, etc.).  I have taken over hymn-picking duties until his return.  Many of the hymns I have chosen are based on what he chose three years ago and six years ago (the last time these feasts fell in Year A, the year we are currently in).

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie: recited or Laus Tibi Christe (Caudana)
Gloria: recited or Mass VIII (St. Joseph Day ONLY; omitted on all other dates listed here)
The Credo will be RECITED for the time being
Sanctus and Agnus Dei: Mass VIII on St. Joseph Day; Mass XVII on the Sundays; Mass XVIII on First Friday
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, savior of the world (ICEL chant)
Amen: adapted from Sanctus VIII

Third Sunday of Lent
Saturday, III-14, at 5 PM; Sunday, III-15, at 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM

Entrance hymn: Praise to the Holiest in the height ("Newman")
Psalm 95: R./ If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts (Alstott)
Gospel Acclamation "Vexilla Regis" (BMP) (PDF)
Offertory hymn: I heard the voice of Jesus say ("Kingsfold")
Communion music:
- (11:15) My God, my Father, while I stray (Montani/Troyte)
- (all others) R./ He who drinks the water I shall give shall have a well within him springing unto eternal life, says the Lord (BMP) (PDF)
Recessional hymn: Jesus, Name all names above ("St. Theoctistus")

St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Thursday, III-19, at 9 AM, followed by ZEPPOLES!

Entrance hymn: Joseph, be our guide and pattern ("Oriel")
Psalm 89: R./ The Son of David will live for ever (BMP) (PDF)
Gospel Acclamation "Vexilla Regis" (BMP) (PDF)
Offertory hymn: Come now and praise the humble saint ("Land of Rest")
Communion responsory: Psalm 27, R./ Did you not know that I must be about my Father's business (BMP) (PDF)
Recessional hymn: Holy Patron, thee saluting ("Pleading Savior")

Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)
Saturday, III-21, at 5 PM; Sunday, III-22, at 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM

Entrance hymn: God, whose almighty word ("Italian Hymn")
Psalm 23: R./ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want (Alstott)
Gospel Acclamation "Vexilla Regis" (BMP) (PDF)
Offertory hymn: The King of love my shepherd is ("St. Columba")
Communion music:
- (11:15) Jesu, salvator noster (Rossini)
- (all others) R./ Psalm 27. I began to see, and I put my faith in God (BMP) (PDF)
Recessional hymn: Your hands, O Lord, in days of old ("Mozart")

Fifth Sunday of Lent
Saturday, III-28, at 5 PM; Sunday, III-29, at 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM

Entrance hymn: When I survey the wondrous cross ("Rockingham")
Psalm 130: R./ With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption (Schmitt) (PDF)
Gospel Acclamation "Vexilla Regis" (BMP) (PDF)
Offertory hymn: Abide with me ("Eventide")
Communion music:
- (11:15) We give immortal praise (Watts/"Love Unknown")
- (all others) Psalm 130, R./ Out he came, hands and feet bound, he who had been dead four days (BMP) (PDF)
Recessional hymn: There is a green hill far away ("Horsley")

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

Thursday, March 5, 2020

The Three-Day Weekend

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Sacred Heart Community Mass (First Friday)
Friday, III-5, at 6 PM

Entrance hymn: O Sacred Heart, O Love Divine
Kyrie "Laus Tibi Christe" (Caudana)
Psalm 130: R./ If you, O Lord, should mark our sins, Lord, who would survive (Howell/Gelineau)
Gospel Acclamation "Vexilla Regis" (BMP) (PDF)
Offertory hymn: Lord, who throughout these forty days ("St. Flavian")
Sanctus and Agnus Dei: Mass XVIII
Memorial: Save us, Savior of the world (ICEL chant)
Amen: adapted from the Sanctus of Mass VIII
Communion responsory: Attende, Domine (Mode I)
Recessional hymn: To Jesus' Heart, all-burning ("Cor Amoris")

Second Sunday of Lent
Saturday, III-6, 5 PM; Sunday, III-7, 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM

Entrance hymn: The glory of these forty days ("Erhalt uns, Herr")
Kyrie "Laus Tibi Christe" (Caudana)
Psalm 33: R./ Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you (Proulx/Gelineau)
Gospel Acclamation "Vexilla Regis" (BMP) (PDF)
Credo III in English (ICEL chant)
Offertory hymn: O wondrous type, O vision fair ("Wareham")
Sanctus and Agnus Dei: Mass XVII
Memorial: Save us, Savior of the world (ICEL chant)
Amen: adapted from the Sanctus of Mass VIII
Communion music:
- (11:15) Fairest Lord Jesus ("Schönster Herr Jesu")
- (all others) Psalm 27, R./ Tell no one about the vision you have seen until the Son of Man has risen from the dead (BMP) (PDF)
Recessional hymn: O God, unseen, yet ever near ("St. Flavian")

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

Friday, February 28, 2020

Stations of the Cross and I Lent

Stations of the Cross

Fridays during Lent and Holy Week at 12:05 PM in the Chapel, and on Tuesdays during Lent and Holy Week at 7:00 PM in the Church.  The Tuesday Stations of the Cross contains music accompanied by the organ.

At the entrance, and at each station we sing selected verses of the Stabat Mater (At the Cross Her Station Keeping) in English, as given in the booklet provided.
Holy Communion is also included in the Stations.
We chant the Agnus Dei from Mass XVIII (the simple chant).
During Communion, we alternate by week:
- Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All ("Sweet Sacrament") (on Weeks I, III, and V of Lent)
- Let thy Blood in mercy poured ("Jesu Meine Zuversicht") (on Weeks II and IV of Lent and in Holy Week)
The recessional hymn is Lift High the Cross ("Crucifer")

First Sunday of Lent

The 5:00 PM Saturday Mass and the 7:30 and 9:00 AM Masses are in the Ordinary Form.  The 11:15 AM this weekend will be the Anglican Use Mass.  Traditional Mass texts, but in English (though some sung Ordinary in Latin).

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Ordinary of the Mass:
- Asperges Me (Mode VII) (11:15)
- Kyrie: Messa Popolare "Laus Tibi Christe" (Caudana) (all Masses)
- Credo III in English (all Masses) (ICEL adaptation of the chant)
- Sanctus and Agnus Dei: Mass XVII (all Masses)
- Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world... (ICEL chant)
- Amen: adapted from the Sanctus of Mass VIII 

Proper of the Mass:
- (Ordinary Form 5 PM Sat., 7:30 and 9 AM Sun.)
- - Psalm 51: R./ Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned (Peloquin)
- - Gospel Acclamation Vexilla Regis (BMP) (PDF)
- (Anglican Use 11:15 AM Sun.)
- - Introit, Gradual, Tract, Offertory, and Communion from the Anglican Use Gradual.

Hymns, etc.
Entrance: Lord, who throughout these forty days ("St. Flavian")
Offertory: The glory of these forty days ("Erhalt Uns, Herr") (At 11:15, this is after the proper)
Communion:
- (11:15, after the proper): Parce Domine (Fr. Carlo Rossini)
- (all other Masses): Parce Domine (Mode I/BMP) (PDF)
Meditation: When I survey the wondrous cross ("Rockingham")
Recessional: Forty days and forty nights ("Heinlein")

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Sunday VII and Ash Wednesday at Sacred Heart

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Sunday VII through the Year
Saturday, II-22, at 5 PM; Sunday, II-23, at 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Gloria: recited or Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (PDF)
Sanctus/Agnus: Mass for Christian Unity (Vermulst)
Memorial: We proclaim your death... (Holy Angels Mass/BMP) (PDF)
Dresden Amen

Alleluia: Marier

Entrance hymn: Father, we thank thee who hast planted ("Rendez a Dieu")
Psalm 103: R./ The Lord is kind and merciful (BMP) (PDF)
Offertory hymn: Love divine, all loves excelling ("Hyfrydol")
Communion music:
- (11:15): Fairest Lord Jesus ("Schönster Herr Jesu")
- (all others): Psalm 9, R./ I will sing to your Name, O Most High (Bartlett)
Meditation hymn: What wondrous love is this ("Wondrous Love")
Recessional hymn: Christ is the King ("Gelobt sei Gott")

Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, II-26, at 9 AM and 7 PM

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie: Messa Popolare Laus Tibi Christe (Caudana)
Sanctus Agnus: Mass XVII
Memorial: Save us, Savior of the world... (ICEL chant)
Amen: adapted from Sanctus VIII

Entrance hymn: Lord, who throughout these forty days ("St. Flavian")
Psalm 51: R./ Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned (Peloquin)
Gospel Acclamation "Vexilla Regis" (BMP) (PDF)
Offertory hymn: Our Father, we have wandered ("Passion Chorale")
Communion responsory: Attende, Domine (Mode V)
Imposition of Ashes: Parce, Domine (Mode I/BMP or Rossini)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Sunday VI at Sacred Heart

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Gloria: recited or Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (PDF)
Sanctus/Agnus: Mass for Christian Unity (Vermulst)
Memorial: We proclaim your death... (Holy Angels Mass/BMP) (PDF)
Dresden Amen

Alleluia: Marier

The rest:
Entrance hymn: We sing the praise of him who died ("Breslau")
Psalm 119: R./ Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord (Weber)
Offertory hymn: Jesus, Lover of my soul ("Aberystwyth")
Communion music:
- (11:15) Pange Lingua (alternating between Mode III and an original setting)
- (all others) Psalm 78, R./ They ate, and they were fully satisfied (BMP) (PDF)
Meditation hymn: I sought the Lord ("Artavia")
Recessional hymn: Sing praise to the Lord ("Laudate Dominum")

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

Friday, February 7, 2020

The Three-Day Weekend at Sacred Heart

Sorry so late.  Mea culpa!

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Ordinary:
Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gl/Mem)
Mass for Christian Unity (Vermulst) (Sa/Ag)
Dresden Amen

Alleluia: Marier

The rest:

First Friday (Sacred Heart Community Mass)
Friday, II-7, at 6 PM

Entrance: O Sacred Heart, O Love Divine
Psalm 18: R./ Blessed be God, my salvation (Tone 8G)
Offertory: Cor dulce, Cor amabile
Communion: Panis Angelicus (Franck)
Recessional: To Jesus' Heart, all-burning ("Cor Amoris")

Sunday V of the Year
Saturday, II-8, at 5 PM; Sunday, II-9, at 7:30, 9, and 11:15 AM

Entrance: When morning gilds the skies ("Laudes Domini")
Psalm 112: R./ The just man is a light in darkness to the upright (BMP) (PDF)
Offertory: O Jesus, I have promised ("Day of Rest")
Communion:
- (11:15) Laudate Dominum (Pitoni)
- (all others) Ps. 42, R./ I will go to the altar of God; praise the God of my joy (Gelineau)
Meditation: Blest are the pure in heart ("Franconia")
Recessional: O worship the King ("Hanover")

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

Thursday, January 30, 2020

PRESENTATION OF THE LORD at Sacred Heart

The 11:15 Mass this Sunday will be the traditional Anglican Use Mass.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

HYMNODY for ALL Masses:
Procession: Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates ("Truro")
Offertory: Hail to the Lord who comes ("Old 120th")
Meditation: In his temple now behold him ("St. Thomas")
Recessional: O Sion, open wide thy gates ("Bedford")

ORDINARY of the Mass:
(Saturday 5:00 PM; Sunday 7:30 and 9:00 AM)
- Mass VIII (Gloria/Sanctus/Agnus Dei)
- Memorial Acclamation: Mortem tuam... (from Jubilate Deo)
- Amen: Dresden
(Sunday 11:15 AM)
- Asperges Me: Mode VII
- Mass of the Shepherds (Yon) (Kyrie/Gloria/Sanctus/Agnus Dei)
- Credo III

PROPER of the Mass:
(Saturday 5:00 PM; Sunday 7:30 and 9:00 AM)
- Entrance Antiphon: The Lord will come to us with mighty power... (Mode VIII)
- Responsorial Psalm: Who is this King of glory? It is the Lord! (Jon Laird)
- Alleluia: Marier
(Sunday 11:15 AM)
- Entrance Antiphon, Blessing of the Candles, Introit, Gradual, Alleluia, Offertory, and Communion are all taken from the Anglican Use Gradual.

COMMUNION MUSIC:
(Saturday 5:00 PM; Sunday 7:30 and 9:00 AM)
- Responsory: Guard us, O Lord, while we sleep, and keep us in peace (Nunc Dimittis) (Gelineau)
(Sunday 11:15 AM)
- Anthem: Alma Redemptoris Mater (Webbe)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Sunday III at Sacred Heart

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Gloria: recited or Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (PDF)
Sanctus/Agnus: Mass for Christian Unity (Vermulst)
Memorial: We proclaim your death... (Holy Angels Mass/BMP) (PDF)
Dresden Amen

Alleluia: Marier

The rest:
Entrance hymn: To the Name of our salvation ("Oriel")
Psalm 27: R./ The Lord is my light and my salvation (Proulx/Gelineau)
Offertory hymn: Go, make of all disciples ("Ellacombe")
Communion music:
(11:15): Cantate Domino canticum novum (d'Indy)
(all others): Psalm 34: R./ Look toward the Lord and be radiant, let your faces not be abashed. (Bartlett)
Meditation hymn: I sought the Lord ("Artavia")
Recessional hymn: Ye holy angels bright ("Darwall's 148th")

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

Friday, January 17, 2020

Sunday II at Sacred Heart

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Gloria: recited or Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (PDF)
Sanctus/Agnus: Mass for Christian Unity (Vermulst)
Memorial: We proclaim your death... (Holy Angels Mass/BMP) (PDF)
Dresden Amen

Alleluia: Marier

The rest:
Entrance hymn: On Jordan's Bank ("Winchester New")
Psalm 40: R./ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will (Proulx/Gelineau)
Offertory hymn: Hark! a thrilling voice is sounding ("Merton")
Communion music:
- Psalm 20: R./ We shall rejoice in your salvation (BMP) (PDF)
- (11:15) In thee is gladness (Gastoldi)
Meditation hymn: Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All ("Sweet Sacrament")
Recessional hymn: Songs of thankfulness and praise ("Salzburg")

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP