MUSIC for CHRIST THE KING at HOLY GHOST CHURCH

NOVEMBER 20, 2005 - CHRIST THE KING (Sunday XXXIV)

Introit hymn: FESTIVAL CANTICLE - This is the feast of victory for our God (#598)
Gloria: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Psalm: Gelineau - My Shepherd is the Lord (#749)
Alleluia: Murray (verse to tone 8)
Offertory hymn: ST. GEORGE'S WINDSOR - Hail, Redeemer, King divine (#736)
Sanctus/Mysterium/Per Ipsum: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Lord's Prayer: Sacramentary chant
Agnus: Bells
Communion choral responsory: Page - Christus Vincit
Recessional hymn: ICH GLAUB AN GOTT - To Jesus Christ, our sov'reign King (#732)

ABOUT THE DAY'S MUSIC:
The last Sunday of Ordinary Time is this Sunday - the Solemnity of Christ the King. Those who celebrate the Tridentine (1962 Missal) Mass celebrated this lovely feast on the last Sunday of October.
The Introit for the day is (according to the Roman Missal) "The Lamb who was slain is worthy to receive strength and divinity...", which appears as verse 1 of the day's opening hymn This is the feast of victory.
The Grail/Gelineau settings and translations of Responsorial Psalms are approved for use in the United States. Those texts, and the translations provided in the Lectionary for Mass (courtesy of the ICEL), are the ONLY translations approved for use as Responsorial Psalms. In this case, we are using the appointed My Shepherd is the Lord, nothing indeed shall I want. If one MUST use Shepherd me, O God beyond my wants, (and I pray for those who do by force) please - put it somewhere else in the Mass (Offertory, Communion).
Hail Redeemer, King Divine is being repeated for this week, as we enter its tune ST. GEORGE'S WINDSOR into our parish repertoire.
Christus Vincit, from my own pen, is an interesting setting. It incorporates key changes between antiphon and verse (G lydian mode for the antiphon, E major for the verses). The classic antiphon "Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat!" is wedded with verses in Latin based on Psalm 93 (92 if you're using the Latin Vulgate).
Finally, the recessional, To Jesus Christ, our sovereign King, is a beloved Catholic classic just about anywhere, and perfectly fit for the feast.

THE LITTLE FLOWER IS IN OUR CHOIR AREA!
Some great news! In our old church, there was a statue of St. Therese de Lisieux (aka St. Theresa of the Little Flower) standing to the right of the altar. The old church was destroyed by fire in the late 1980's. That statue of St. Therese has been beautifully restored and returned to our present church, and placed prominently in the choir area. This is a very beautiful recovery, if you ask me. Incidentally, it was said once by my grandmother that my mom (also named Theresa) was named after the Little Flower. It's great to see a modern edifice be adorned with some great tradition. I'm sure there is more to come.

I'm done torturing you all for now. (LOL)

+In Christ,
BMP