MUSIC for SUNDAY XIV at HOLY GHOST CHURCH

JULY 3, 2005
SUNDAY XIV

Processional Hymn: LASST UNS ERFREUEN - All creatures of our God and King (Music Issue, #528)
Psalm: Page - I will praise your name for ever, my King and my God
Alleluia: Mode VI
Offertory Hymn: KINGSFOLD - I heard the voice of Jesus say (Music Issue, #508)
Sanctus: Vermulst - People's Mass
Mysterium and Per Ipsum: Danish
Agnus Dei: Vermulst - People's Mass
Communion Hymn: Moore - Taste and see (Music Issue, #333)
Recessional Hymn: GROSSER GOTT - Holy God, we praise thy name (Missalette, #34)

+In Christ,
BMP

MUSIC for SUNDAY XIII at HOLY GHOST

JUNE 26, 2005
SUNDAY XIII

Saturday 4:30 / Sunday 7:30, 9, 10:30

Processional Hymn: OLD 100th - All people that on earth do dwell (Music Issue, #303)
Psalm: Page - For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord
Alleluia: Mode VI
Offertory Hymn: HYFRYDOL - Church of God, elect and glorious (Music Issue, #411)
Music for the Liturgy of the Eucharist: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Communion Hymn: UNDE ET MEMORES - Lord, who at thy first Eucharist (Music Issue, #319)
Recessional Hymn: LOBE DEN HERREN - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Missalette, #25)

+In Christ,
BMP

MUSIC for SUNDAY XII at HOLY GHOST CHURCH

JUNE 19, 2005
SUNDAY XII

Processional Hymn: KINGSFOLD - I heard the voice of Jesus' say (Music Issue, #508)
Psalm: Alstott - Lord, in your great love, answer me (Missalette, page 30)
Alleluia: Mode VI
Offertory Hymn: ERHALT UNS, HERR - Take up your cross, the Savior said (Music Issue, #721)
Music during the Liturgy of the Eucharist: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Communion Hymn: BICENTENNIAL - You satisfy the hungry heart (Music Issue, #342)
Recessional Hymn: OLD 100th - All people that on earth do dwell (Music Issue, #303)

Hey, the new floor in the sanctuary looks great! Special thanks to all who supplied the stuff and all who helped put it all together.

+In Christ,
BMP

WHAT HAVE WE DONE?

This new article by Gary Penkala of CanticaNOVA Publications is great. It's a must read!

Pax
BMP

MUSIC for SUNDAY XI at HOLY GHOST CHURCH

JUNE 12, 2005
SUNDAY XI of ORDINARY TIME

Processional: ST. ANNE - O God, our help in ages past (#450)
Psalm: Peloquin - We are his people, the sheep of his flock (from his "Songs of Israel, Vol. I)
Alleluia: Mode VI
Offertory: UNDE ET MEMORES - Lord, who at thy first Eucharist did pray (#319)
Eucharist Ordinary: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Communion: Mode VI - Ubi Caritas (#423, in Latin)
Recessional: ABBOT'S LEIGH - Lord, you give the great commission (#362)

Some great news - thanks to donors and volunteers (our parish is great for that, I tell you), we are getting the rug pulled out from under the altar. Yes - we are getting hardwood floors in the sanctuary. Not only will it make the altar stand out so much better, but it will liven the acoustics in the church quite a bit also. In the words of Stephen Furst (a la his "Flounder" character in the movie "Animal House"): OH BOY IS THIS GREAT!!! Chances are good the new floor will be ready for next weekend's celebrations of Holy Mass.

This reminds me so much of two buttons that GIA sells, both of which I firmly believe in:
1) "Carpet bedrooms, not churches!", and
2) (for cantors) "Back off! Let the people sing!"

Peace,
BMP

MUSIC for SUNDAY X at HOLY GHOST CHURCH

Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Back to the calm, cool, and somewhat collective resorts of ORDINARY TIME!!!
Both choirs are now officially on summer break, but all voices are invited to come join me in the music room at Mass and lead the singing. It's a "come as you are" type deal. Rehearsals will resume around the vicinity of Labor Day. I'm very happy with the first year with the NEW choir. A special thanks to all adults and children that took part this year. I'm optimistic that the second year will bring bigger and better things to both choirs.

Anyways, as I post the music for June 5, 2005, I tend to post the Sundays of Ordinary Time simply by its Roman numeral - that is, for the 10th Sunday of Ordinary Time, the simple term of "Sunday X". The 11th Sunday (June 12) will be "Sunday XI", and so on.

So - without further adieu....

SUNDAY X
JUNE 5, 2005

All Masses with organ, and whoever comes to Mass :-)

Processional hymn: LOBE DEN HERREN - Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Missalette, #25)
Psalm: Page - To the upright I will show the saving power of God
Alleluia: Mode VI
Offertory hymn: ABBOT'S LEIGH - God is love, let heav'n adore him (Music Issue, #425)
Music for the Liturgy of the Eucharist: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Communion hymn: Deiss - The Spirit of God rests upon me
Recessional hymn: ICH GLAUB AN GOTT - To Jesus Christ, our Sovereign King (Music Issue, #732)

+ In Christ,
BMP

MUSIC for CORPUS CHRISTI at HOLY GHOST CHURCH

MAY 29, 2005
CORPUS CHRISTI (The Body and Blood of Christ)

4:30 (Sat.) and 7:30 (Sun.) - Me, myself, and I
9:00 - Junior Choir
10:30 - Senior Choir (Mass with conclude with Eucharistic Procession, followed by Benediction)

Introit (10:30): Tone 8
Processional: BICENTENNIAL - You satisfy the hungry heart (#342)
Gloria (10:30): Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Psalm: Alstott - Praise the Lord, Jerusalem (page 24, missalette)
Alleluia: Mode VI
Offertory: UNDE ET MEMORES - Lord, who at thy first Eucharist (#319)
Sanctus: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Mysterium: Tone 8 - When we eat this bread....
Amen: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Lord's Prayer: Chant setting in English
Agnus Dei: Peloquin - Mass of the Bells
Communion: Batastini/Berthier - Eat this Bread (#343)
Comm. Proper (10:30): Tone 8
Recessional (except 10:30): HYFRYDOL - Alleluia! sing to Jesus (#740)
Procession (10:30)
1) SWEET SACRAMENT - Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All
2) NON DIGNUS - O Sacrament Most Holy
3) ADORO TE DEVOTE - Godhead here in hiding
Procession will be outdoors, circling the church.
Benediction follows:
4) Mode III - Tantum Ergo (in Latin)
5) GROSSER GOTT - Holy God, we praise thy Name

+In Christ, the Eucharistic Lord,
BMP

TURNING TOWARDS THE LORD

A recent topic brought up in conversation with my pastor, and reading a few articles I hadn't seen until the installation of Pope Benedict XVI, though written while the Holy Father was still Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, is the Novus Ordo Missae, celebrated "ad Orientem".

Now, a literal explanation of "ad Orientem" is in order here. "Ad Orientem" is Latin for "to the East". However, in the context of liturgical prayer, we don't mean this as the 90 degree mark of the compass. Otherwise, many would be really celebrating, perhaps to the south, or maybe a couple of degrees short of north-northwest. What we really mean here is the Liturgical East - to the Lord (his native land, of course, is in the Middle East).

Until the Second Vatican Council, the Mass was celebrated with the priest facing the Lord - to the Crucifix or perhaps the Tabernacle (many traditionally built churches with high altars still keep the Tabernacle in the center of the high altar, if it hasn't yet been mistakenly been torn down). Since then, there was this big craze - the claim that Mass HAD TO be said with the priest facing the people.

Until this phenomenon came up:
http://www.adoremus.org/0405LiturgicalPrayer.html

You see, Mass CAN be said facing the people, but it doesn't have to be. The Council DID ask for free-standing altars, preferably away from the wall, "so that one can easily walk around the altar and celebrate facing the people." (translated from "Sacra Congregatio Rituum, Instructio ad exsecutionem Constitutionis de sacra Liturgia recte ordinandam 'Inter Oecumenici'", AAS 56 (1964): 898, no. 91.)

Incidentally, my pastor has been reading then-Cardinal Ratzinger's book, "The Spirit of the Liturgy". I may pick up that book soon myself.

I'm going to call the following paragraph to the article linked above to your attention:

"The rubrics of the renewed Missale Romanum of Pope Paul VI presuppose a common direction of priest and people for the core of the Eucharistic liturgy. This is indicated by the instruction that, at the Orate, fratres, the Pax Domini, the Ecce, Agnus Dei, and the Ritus conclusionis, the priest should turn towards the people. This would seem to imply that beforehand priest and people were facing the same direction, that is, towards the altar. At the priest's communion the rubrics say "ad altare versus", which would be redundant if the celebrant stood behind the altar facing the people anyway. This reading is confirmed by the directives of the General Instruction, even if they are occasionally at variance with the Ordo Missae. The third Editio typica of the renewed Missale Romanum, approved by Pope John Paul II on April 2000 and published in spring 2002, retains these rubrics."

So, with that in mind, how's this sound for a new pattern of the "ad orientem Novus Ordo Missae"?
Sign of the Cross and Greeting: facing the people
Penitential Rite or Sprinkling Rite, Gloria (if liturgically allowed), and Opening Prayer: facing the Lord
Readings and Homily: facing the people, at the pulpit (Note: the Psalm and Alleluia should still be sung from the ambo if possible)
Credo: facing the Lord
Prayer of the Faithful: priest facing the Lord (lector/commentator may use pulpit and face people to read the intercessions)
Orate Fratres: facing the people
Everything from the Prayer over the Gifts to the Agnus Dei inclusive: facing the Lord
Ecce Agnus Dei and (of course) the distribution of Communion: facing the people
Post Communion Prayer: facing the Lord
Final Blessing and Dismissal: facing the people

I can only guess that this COULD be the turnout eventually. But this can only be decided (and I will respect such decision) by (perhaps) Rome, particularly the Holy See.

And a note to the anonymous commenter on my latest "pet peeves" article - you mentioned unity. With the priest and people all praying directly to the Lord, this is a perfect example of fostering unity, a necessity called for in the GIRM.

+In Christ,
BMP

HELP WANTED

Fr. Jeff Keyes, pastor of St. Edward's Church in Newark, CA, and author of "The New Gasparian" (which I often read), is seeking a music director. For details, click here.

+In Christ,
BMP

SOME OF THE LATEST LITURGICAL PET PEEVES

A sequel to LITURGICAL PET PEEVES AND MY RESPONSE TO THEM

In the previous article I linked above, I responded to other people's pet peeves. Now, here are a few of the pet peeves of my own.

Let's start with some of the terminology that's been used and abused as of late:

Gathering Song (in place of "Entrance Hymn" or "Processional Hymn")
The Institutio Generalis Missalis Romanis rightfully uses the term "Entrance Chant". Why? Because of the actual call at that time for the "Cantus Introitus" in the Roman Missal. It never calls for a "Gathering Song". It calls for the "Entrance Song" - not the entrance or gathering of the people into church (that should happen BEFORE Mass), but the entrance procession of the priest and other ministers entering to the altar. Those who remember the Tridentine Mass probably remember the dialog at the foot of the altar, based on Psalm 42(43), which starts "Introibo ad altare Dei" ("I will go to the altar of God"). "Introibo" is from the word "Introitus", meaning "Entrance".
This "Gathering" intelligence is typical of many a parish, unfortunately. It's just another sign that Holy Mass is a "focus on ME". Look at all the (so-called) hymns you see now in hymnals and count the times the word "Gather" is used. "Here we are".

Presentation (or Preparation) of the Gifts (in place of the "Offertory")
Many a time I've heard the announcment "Our presentation hymn is..." or "Our preparation hymn is..." NO NO NO!
The IGMR distincts the action taking place as the "Preparation of the Altar and Gifts" and the music being sung (correctly) as the "Offertory Song".
Self-centeredness in the liturgy can be observed when the "Presentation of the Gifts" means the a few select people get to go up and give the gifts of water, wine, ciborium, and even the big basket of money collected (in many cases), to the celebrant. The main focus should be the celebrant offering the bread and wine to God, so that they may become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Hymn of Sending Forth (or simply "Sending Hymn") (in place of the "Recessional")
Before I elaborate on this, let me remind you that the "Recessional Hymn" is STILL not part of the liturgy, with the exception of the Funeral Mass ("In Paradisum").
Now, the real "Sending Forth" is known as the "Dismissal", at which the priest says "The Mass is ended, go in peace" ("Ite, Missa est") and the people respond "Thanks be to God" ("Deo Gratias"). The hymn, added by custom, accompanies the procession out the door of the priest and ministers, not the sending forth of the people (see previous sentence) or the people heading out the door. The latter can be accompanied by a good organ postlude, and should not take place before the priest leaves. But again - another sign of self-centeredness in the liturgy. And the dang publishers (OCP in particular) use these terms in their planning aids ("Today's Liturgy"). So, guess what musicians and liturgists are exposed to.... you guessed it!

Here's another big turn off. I've been known to turn down jobs at any parish that refers to their church as the Worship Space. No more naves or sanctuaries these days. No more vestibules either. They're now Gathering Spaces. Here we go again with that dang "gathering" bit. You wanna shoot the breeze, do it outside - AFTER MASS! It just sounds so generic - just like the third verse of "All Are Welcome" cites: a "banquet hall on holy ground".

And what's so bad about receiving Holy Communion on the tongue??? Seriously! That's how I was taught (in 1971). At my daughter's First Communion rehearsal, a week before the big day, the class was taught how to receive in the hand. The tongue wasn't even an option for crying out loud! I was this close to asking the nun out loud, "can you still receive on the tongue?" So, at Mass, while many were receiving in the hand, I went up, knelt, got back up. The priest said "The Body of Christ", I responded "Amen", and put the tongue right out with a look on my face that states "put it there - where it belongs"!

After the rehearsal, the pastor and I got talking, and I told him about my move to Holy Ghost. And he said to me "ah, you must get along really good over there. That pastor's the traditional type, just like you". That's not a bad thing now is it?

More to come when my mind wakes up a little more.

+In Christ,
BMP