SUNDAY XIII, er, I mean, SS. PETER AND PAUL (Eight O'Clock Version)

This Sunday we celebrate the sixth and final in a string of June solemnities that started with Pentecost, followed by Trinity, Corpus Christi, St. John the Baptist, Most Sacred Heart, and now SS. Peter and Paul, which this year for the first time since 2008 falls on a Sunday, and as a subsequence trumps what normally would be the 13th Sunday of the Year.

Like the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (which was last Tuesday), there are two different Masses for SS. Peter and Paul - a Vigil Mass (Saturday) and a Mass of the Day (Sunday), thus the readings (including the Psalm) differ between the two Masses.

That said...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Entrance hymn: #708 For all the saints ("Sine Nomine") (Listen)
Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Listen) or recited
Psalm 34: R./ The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
Alleluia: setting by Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB (Listen)
Offertory hymn: #215 By all your saints still striving ("St. Theodulph"/verses 1, 2 and 13) (Listen)
- Verse 13 is specifically written for the feast of SS. Peter and Paul.  The tune is that of the Palm Sunday staple, "All glory, laud and honor".
Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Amen and Agnus Dei: #'s 874, 875, 878 and 879 respectively Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott)
Communion responsory: Psalm 19, R./ O Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you, alleluia. (BMP/adapted from "Surgit in Haec Dies")
Meditation hymn: #667 Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All ("Sweet Sacrament") (Listen)
- An old Catholic classic, text written by Fr. Frederick Faber, who is most famous for authoring "Faith of our fathers".  At long last, OCP finally included this treasure in the Breaking Bread hymnal.
Recessional hymn: Ye watchers and ye holy ones ("Lasst uns Erfreuen") (Listen)

Happy feast!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST (at 8:00)

I think I might have mentioned this bit of trivia that might be useless to some while others might remember, and had I not been experienced with the Extraordinary Form of the Mass (1962 Missal Traditional Latin Mass) at Holy Name in Providence, I might have never known either, but until the promulgation of the 1969 Missal (Ordinary Form of the Mass), Corpus Christi (the Body of Christ) and the Most Precious Blood were two seperate feasts.  In fact, Corpus Christi wasn't even on a Sunday back then, although some churches who do celebrate the Extraordinary Form will celebrate Corpus Christi on a Sunday as an "external solemnity".

Until 1969, Corpus Christi was celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, thus the following Sunday was simply the Second Sunday after Pentecost.  Thus, Corpus Christi was (and still is) a moveable feast that depends on the date of Easter.  The Most Precious Blood, however, was celebrated on the fixed date of July 1.

Since 1969, Corpus Christi has been celebrated on the Sunday after Trinity Sunday (or the Second Sunday after Pentecost), and the Most Precious Blood removed from the liturgical calendar, thus the new name for this Sunday given in recent years, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.  Interestingly enough, the 1974 Roman Gradual lists the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ as the Thursday after Trinity.  Turns out that, yes, it's on a Sunday in this country, but in many other countries, it's still on the Thursday.

That said, we will be singing Eucharistic-themed hymns today.  Even Alleluia! sing to Jesus! has a Eucharistic theme going in verses 3 and 4 with lines like "Alleluia! Bread of Angels, thou on earth our food, our stay" (verse 3), and "Thou on earth both Priest and Victim in the Eucharistic Feast" (verse 4).  Oh, and let's not forget verse 1, which ends "Jesus, out of every nation hath redeemed us by his Blood."

The recessional hymn is Holy God, we praise thy Name.  While the verses given don't mention the Eucharist particularly, this is the hymn that is customarily sung at many a Eucharistic Benediction as the Blessed Sacrament returns to the Tabernacle.  You'll find this in the inside back cover of the Breaking Bread hymnal.  However, the third verse (not found in the back cover, but in the hymn section) ends with "And adoring bend the knee while we own the Mystery!"

And now, without further ado...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Entrance hymn: #714 Alleluia! sing to Jesus ("Hyfrydol") (Listen)
Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Listen) or recited
Psalm 110: You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek (BMP) (PDF)
Sequence: Lo! the angel's food is given (Mode V)
- NOTE: This is the short form, the last four verses of a much longer sequence, "Laud, O Sion, thy salvation" (which is 24 verses).  Thankfully (for many, I'm sure) the short form is an option.  In 1962 it was not!  In fact, since 1969, the sequence for this day is optional.  Before that, it was required!
Alleluia: setting by Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB (Listen)

Offertory hymn: #372 Lord, who at thy first Eucharist didst pray ("Unde et Memores") (Listen)
Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Amen and Agnus Dei: #'s 874, 875, 878 and 879 respectively Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott)
Communion anthem: Panis Angeicus (Cesar Franck)
Meditation hymn: #26 Down in adoration falling ("St. Thomas") (You will find this not in the hymn section, but at the bottom of page 116 - we will sing verses 5 and 6 in English.)
Recessional hymn: #206 Holy God, we praise thy Name ("Grosser Gott") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

THE MOST HOLY TRINITY at EIGHT O'CLOCK

The second of a series of six June solemnities, four of which fall on a Sunday this year.

Today's hymns, of course, focus on exactly what this Sunday is - the Most Holy Trinity.

Enough said there.  And so...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Entrance hymn: #215 Holy, holy, holy ("Nicaea") (Listen)
- I doubt we need a listen link, but the arrangement in this one is nifty.
Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Listen) or recited
Psalm 8: R./ O Lord, our God, how wonderful your Name in all the earth (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
Alleluia: setting by Dom Anthony Gregory Murray, OSB (Listen)
- This will be the Alleluia for the remainder of June and the entire month of July.  The listen link here gives a really cool extra fanfare by Rene Livron.  The part we will be singing ends at the 27-second mark.  We won't make you sing the extra fanfares (in the words of Timon and Pumbaa, "Hakuna Mutata!")     ;)
Offertory hymn: #701 O God, almighty Father ("Gott Vater, Sei Gepriesen") (Listen)
Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, Amen and Agnus Dei: #'s 874, 875, 878 and 879 respectively Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott)
Communion responsory: Tobit 12 and 13, R./ Let us bless the God of heaven (BMP) (PDF)
Meditation hymn: #698 Come now, almighty King (Listen)
- Like "O God, almighty Father", each verse addresses each Person of the Trinity in order.  The fourth verse addresses the entire Trinity here (in the Offertory, that's addressed in the refrain).
Recessional hymn: #206 Holy God, we praise thy Name ("Grosser Gott") (Listen)

O most holy Trinity, undivided Unity, holy God, mighty God, God immortal, be adored!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

THE SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST at 8:00

This weekend we finish off the Easter Season with the Solemnity of Pentecost, the first in a series of solemnities taking place in the month of June, a month dedicated to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  The series goes like this:

    June 8 (this Sunday): Pentecost, traditionally known as "Whitsunday"
    June 15 (next Sunday): The Most Holy Trinity
    June 22: The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally known as "Corpus Christi"
    June 24: The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist (not a holyday of obligation, but still a solemnity)
    June 27: The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (always the Friday after Corpus Christi Sunday)
    June 29: Saints Peter and Paul (trumps what normally would be Sunday XIII through the Year)

The Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, is always the day after Pentecost.  The Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is always the day after the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, this year falling on June 28.

On this weekend, the Solemnity of Pentecost, the Saturday Mass is the Vigil of Pentecost, with its own set of readings and propers.  There is an Extended Vigil and a Short Vigil.  The Extended Vigil has four Old Testament readings plus Epistle and Gospel.  Like the seven Old Testament readings in the Easter Vigil, each reading the Extended Vigil of Pentecost has its own Responsorial Psalm attached to it.  In the Short Vigil, only the usual three readings (First, Second and Gospel) are read.  Any one of the four Old Testament readings may be chosen for the First Reading.  The Psalm is that attached to the fourth Old Testament reading, that is, Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth (Psalm 104).

There is also a Sequence that is chanted on Sunday (required), but omitted on Saturday.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Entrance hymn: Come, Holy Ghost ("Lambillotte")

- I really don't think we need a listen link for this one.

Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Listen) or recited

Psalm 104: R./ Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth (Owen Alstott)

- NOTE: The same response applies for both the Vigil and Sunday Masses.  However, the versicles differ.

Sequence: Come, thou Holy Spirit, come (Mode I)

Alleluia "O Filii et Filiae" (Mode II/arr. and verse music by BMP)

Offertory hymn: #641 O breathe on me, thou breath of God ("St. Columba") (Listen)
- The tune is the same as the tune often used for "The King of love my Shepherd is".

Sanctus: #874 Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott)

Memorial Acclamation and Amen: Missa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi, adapted by BMP)

Agnus Dei: #879 Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott)

Communion hymn: #198 Veni, Creator Spiritus (Mode VIII)

- The entrance hymn, "Come, Holy Ghost", is a translation of select verses of "Veni, Creator Spiritus".

Meditation hymn: #191 Be joyful, Mary, heav'nly Queen ("Regina Caeli, Jubila")

Recessional hymn: #202 Creator Spirit, by whose aid ("Lasst uns Erfreuen") (Listen)

- The tune here is the same for a couple of other well-known hymns, "All creatures of our God and King" and "Ye watchers and ye holy ones".

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

VII EASTER AT 8:00

For my opening remarks, here is a bulletin blurb I had room for at my other parish (Sacred Heart in West Warwick).  I have made some adaptations to fit St. Eugene's.

While we are still in Easter Season until next Sunday, we are in the Sunday traditionally known as the Sunday in the Octave of Ascension (yes, until 1969, Ascension, like Easter and Christmas, had an octave).

Looking at our entrance hymn, Alleluia! Sing to Jesus (#714), the first line of the first verse finishes, "His the scepter, his the throne", and the second line of the fourth verse finishes, "Earth thy footstool, heav'n thy throne" (pointing to our Lord's Ascension). The second verse begins, "Alleluia! not as orphans are we left in sorrow now." This is cited in the Alleluia verse which precedes today's Gospel.

Speaking of today's Gospel, here we learn that Jesus prayed to the Father "that all may be one as we are one." Our offertory hymn of the day, Lord, who at thy first Eucharist (#372), makes his petition known, "Lord, who at thy first Eucharist didst pray that all thy Church might be for ever one..." The Communion antiphon (almost halfway down page 168) cites that same passage.

Our meditation hymn Be Joyful, Mary (#191), a translation of Regina Caeli, as some may know, is the Marian antiphon for the Easter season.

Finally, our recessional hymn is the very standard Ascension hymn, Hail the day that sees him rise (#197).

Going back to Alleluia! Sing to Jesus, I am happy that ALL the verses are finally included in the Breaking Bread hymnal.  Verses 2 and 3, which were omitted for years until recently, are verses that really serve a purpose -- Verse 2 for reasons I mentioned above, and Verse 3 for feasts like Corpus Christi (which will be celebrated in three weeks) and other Eucharistic themes.

And now, without further ado...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Entrance hymn: #714 Alleluia! sing to Jesus ("Hyfrydol") (Listen)

Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Listen) or recited

Psalm 97: R./ The Lord is King, the Most High over all the earth (Richard Proulx/Joseph Gelineau)

Alleluia "O Filii et Filiae" (Mode II/arr. and verse music by BMP)

Offertory hymn: #372 Lord, who at thy first Eucharist didst pray ("Unde et Memores") (Listen)

Sanctus: #874 Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott)

Memorial Acclamation and Amen: Missa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi, adapted by BMP)

Agnus Dei: #879 Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott)

Responsory during Communion: Christus Vincit (BMP) (PDF)

Meditation hymn: #191 Be joyful, Mary, heav'nly Queen ("Regina Caeli, Jubila")

Recessional hymn: #197 Hail the day that sees him rise ("Llanfair") (Listen)

Happy Ascension Octave!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

VI EASTER at EIGHT O'CLOCK

Today's entrance hymn actually blends well with the Introit (or "Entrance Antiphon") of the day.  While the Introit itself is from Isaiah, there is a verse in the Graduale Romanum that is the beginning of Psalm 66 (usually not included in the Roman Missal, but is in the Gradual), and begins pretty much the same as Psalm 100, on which today's entrance hymn comes from:

Introit verse: Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; sing a psalm to his Name; praise him with magnificence.

Refrain of entrance hymn: All the earth proclaim the Lord; sing your praise to God.

Some may recognize the entrance hymn refrain, probably if you remember having Monthly Missalette, We Celebrate, or People's Mass Book in the pew.

The Communion hymn I will be singing while you receive is another Marian hymn for this final Sunday in May - Concordi laetitia, Latin for Sounds of joy have put to flight.

The remaining hymns are seasonal hymns for Easter, as we are still in this joyful season.

And now...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Entrance hymn: #468 All the earth proclaim the Lord (Lucien Deiss) (Listen)

- Lucien Deiss is about as close to contemporary as I will get.  The music of this French Holy Ghost Father (most of it) is quite good, often in a chant-like style and no time signature (although this hymn could very easily be put in 6/8 time).

Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Listen) or recited

Psalm 67: R./ O God, let all the nations praise you (Sam Schmitt) (PDF)

Alleluia "O Filii et Filiae" (Mode II/arr. and verse music by BMP)

Offertory hymn: The strife is o'er ("Victory") (Listen)

Sanctus: #874 Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott)

Memorial Acclamation and Amen: Missa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi, adapted by BMP)

Agnus Dei: #879 Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott)

Hymn during Communion: Concordi Laetitia (Mode VI) (Listen)

Meditation hymn: #191 Be joyful, Mary, heav'nly Queen ("Regina Caeli, Jubila")

Recessional hymn: #190 Alleluia! alleluia! ("Hymn to Joy")

- Another hymn sung to the same tune as "Joyful, joyful" or "Sing with all the saints in glory" (which we sang last Sunday.

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

V EASTER at 8:00

In light of the election of Pope Leo XIV, last Sunday's postlude was Long live the Pope.  I really wish this would be in more hymnals.

Hymnody for this Sunday's 8:00 Mass will be of a seasonal nature for Easter.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Entrance hymn: #180 Christ the Lord is ris'n today ("Llanfair") (Listen)

- Not to be confused with "Jesus Christ is ris'n today", which we sang on Easter Sunday and the Sunday after that.

Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Listen) or recited

Psalm 145: R./ I will praise your Name for ever, my King and my God (BMP) (PDF)

Alleluia "O Filii et Filiae" (Mode II/arr. and verse music by BMP)

Offertory hymn: #710 Ye watchers and ye holy ones ("Lasst uns Erfreuen") (Listen)

- This is the same tune as another hymn in the Breaking Bread hymnal that should be familiar as well, "All creatures of our God and King".

Sanctus: #874 Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott)

Memorial Acclamation and Amen: Missa Cristo Risusciti (Luigi Picchi, adapted by BMP)

Agnus Dei: #879 Heritage Mass (Owen Alstott)

Responsory during Communion: Psalm 80, R./ I am the true vine, you are the brances, alleluia. (BMP) (PDF)

Meditation hymn: #191 Be joyful, Mary, heav'nly Queen ("Regina Caeli, Jubila")

Recessional hymn: #598 Sing with all the saints in glory ("Hymn to Joy")

- Same tune as the very much familiar "Joyful, joyful, we adore thee".

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP