OK, A NUMBERED SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (but for only this one time) - 8:00 EDITION

Yes, we are almost done Year C, the third of the three years in the liturgical rotation, aka "The Luke Year" (Year A, which begins November 30, the First Sunday of Advent is "The Matthew Year"; Year B, the following year, is "The Mark Year"; John's Gospel pops in and out during all three of the years).  While we're not in the last week of the Year (how the name "Ordinary Time" ever came about in the late 1970s is beyond me), the following Sunday is Christ the King (formally, Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe).  However, the six weekdays that follow Christ the King is considered the Thirty-Fourth Week of the Year.  This Sunday is the Thirty-Third (or in shorthand, Sunday XXXIII).

This weekend's music reflects the coming of Christ, our King, in glory.

Thus...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (or recited, celebrant's discretion)

Sanctus and Agnus Dei: People's Mass (Jan Vermulst) (Listen)
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (ICEL chant)

Amen: Danish Amen

PROPER OF THE MASS:
Readings begin on page 232 in the Breaking Bread hymnal
Psalm 98: R./ The Lord comes to rule the earth with justice (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)
Alleluia: the refrain of the hymn Christ is the King ("Gelobt sei Gott") (Listen)

Hymns, etc.
Entrance hymn: #722 Hail, Redeemer, King Divine ("St. George's Windsor") (Listen)
- This hymn carries the same tune as the famed Thanksgiving hymn, "Come, ye thankful people, come".  It will be repeated next Sunday.
Offertory hymn: #47 The King shall come when morning dawns ("Morning Song") (Listen)
- We last sang this hymn during Advent, one of the first hymns I may have introduced upon my arrival at St. Eugene's.
Communion responsory: Psalm 61, R./ Whatever you ask in your prayers, believe that you shall receive it, and it shall be granted unto you (BMP) (PDF)
Recessional hymn: #714 Alleluia! sing to Jesus ("Hyfrydol", verses 1 and 4) (Listen)
- The listen link here has a really cool fanfare just before the final verse.  This was recorded at Our Lady of Refuge Church in Brooklyn, NY, at the dedication of their newly-restored Kilgen organ, circa 2014.  Speaking of which, the pipe organ at our sister parish, St. Joseph's in Pascoag, was built by Kilgen as well.

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

NO, THIS IS NOT SUNDAY XXXII OF THE YEAR!

Indeed, it isn't.  This Sunday, another major feast occurs - The Dedication of the Basilica (formally "Archbasilica") of St. John Lateran in Rome.  This feast always falls on November 9, even when it falls on a Sunday (thus superseding the 32nd Sunday of the Year).  This is the first time November 9 has fallen on a Sunday since 2014.  You'd think it would have had fallen once or twice more in the meantime, but leap years prevented that (we've had three leap years since - 2016, 2020 and 2024).

The significance of this feast is that St. John Lateran is the Pope's Cathedral.  While Papal Masses are held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, the Basilica of St. John Lateran is the seat of the Pope in his capacity as Bishop of Rome.

In today's second reading, Paul writes in his first letter to the Corinthians, "Like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building upon it," and "No one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely Jesus Christ."  This explains at least one of today's hymns: The Church's one foundation (is Jesus Christ, her Lord) (entrance hymn).

For the offertory I chose Lord, who at thy first Eucharist didst pray (that all thy Church might be for ever one), citing the Communion proper of the day from the Graduale Romanum, "Jerusalem is built as a city, bonded as one together."

Thus...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (or recited, celebrant's discretion)

Sanctus and Agnus Dei: People's Mass (Jan Vermulst) (Listen)
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (ICEL chant)

Amen: Danish Amen

PROPER OF THE MASS:
Readings begin on page 230 in the Breaking Bread hymnal
Psalm 46: R./ The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High (BMP) (PDF)
Alleluia: the refrain of the hymn Christ is the King ("Gelobt sei Gott") (Listen)

Hymns, etc.
Entrance hymn: #446 The Church's one foundation ("Aurelia") (Listen)
Offertory hymn: #372 Lord, who at thy first Eucharist ("Unde et Memores") (Listen)
Communion music:
- Responsory: Psalm 122, R./ Jerusalem is built as a city, bonded as one together (BMP) (PDF)
- or Motet: Jesu, joy of man's desiring (Johann Schop, arr. by J.S. Bach)
Recessional hymn: #206 Holy God, we praise thy Name ("Grosser Gott")

Before I sign off, my other church (Sacred Heart in West Warwick) is having its Christmas Bazaar on Friday, November 7 from noon to 7 PM and Saturday, November 8 from 10 AM to 6 PM.  Come on down!  Featured raffle: THREE good-sized TVs, 55", 65" and 70"!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

THE COMMEMORATION OF ALL FAITHFUL DEPARTED (EIGHT O'CLOCK RENDITION)

This weekend we commemorate (I almost said "celebrate" here, mea culpa; such is not the case) All the Faithful Departed.

In lieu of the Entrance hymn this Sunday, we will sing a responsory: Grant them eternal rest, O Lord (Breaking Bread hymnal, #812).  While it's categorized in the hymnal under "Order of Christian Funerals", this Introit is proper for all Masses of the Dead, including funeral Masses and for All Souls.  The response is a translation from the Latin Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.  Also, the Gloria is omitted.

I have to say that on one All Souls Day, I felt quite crept out.  Usually right after Halloween is finished, certain mainstream media begin the 24/7 playing of little ditties that they pass as Christmas music, right on until Christmas Day (how quickly they forget, Christmas STARTS at Christmas Eve and continues up through the Baptism of the Lord in January, not ends on Christmas Day).  Well on this one particular All Souls Day, I took my daughter to work on the way to my 9:00 AM Mass (she wasn't licensed to drive at the time).  As I proceeded back toward I-295 to go to Mass, I suddenly hear The Most Wonderful Time of the Year playing on the radio.  I couldn't change the station fast enough for two reasons - 1) I never liked the song to begin with, and 2) What's so "wonderful" about All Souls Day?  There's nothing to celebrate.  We commemorate all those gone from us and pray for their souls to be fit for heaven.

Therefore:

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Gloria is omitted.
Sanctus: #9 on page 14 (ICEL chant setting, in English)
Memorial Acclamation: #12 on page 17 Save us, Savior of the world (ICEL chant)
Amen: page 26, single Amen (do do-re, or, if you're in a modal mood, so so-la, or fa fa-so)
Agnus Dei: #846 Mass XVIII

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: page 228 in the Breaking Bread hymnal
Psalm 23: R./ The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want (Owen Alstott)
Alleluia: Theodore Marier

HYMNS, CHANTS, etc.
Introit (in lieu of Entrance Hymn): #812 Grant them eternal rest, O Lord (Owen Alstott)
Offertory hymn: #458 I heard the voice of Jesus say ("Kingsfold") (Listen)
- This nifty arrangement comes from Manchester Cathedral, United Kingdom.
Communion hymn: Jesus, Son of Mary ("Adoro Te Devote") (duet: Brian and Doris)
- This is the same tune as another hymn we've sung on occasion, "Godhead here in hiding"
Recessional hymn: Sing with all the saints in glory ("Hymn to Joy")
- The tune most widely used for "Joyful, joyful, we adore thee", or the finale of Beethoven's famed Ninth Symphony.

Prelude and postlude will be improvisations based on the Requiem aeternam and In Paradisum, respectively, as they are the appointed Latin entrance and recessional propers for the Mass for the Dead.  One should note that the Mass for the Dead (including funerals and All Souls Day) is the only time where a proper recessional is appointed in the Roman Missal.  Otherwise, no recessional is appointed at all, and, like many a parish church, a hymn is customarily sung in its place.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.  May they rest in peace.  Amen.  May their souls, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

SUNDAY XXX at VIII O'CLOCK

This will be the last numbered Sunday of the Year for the next three weeks.  The following Sunday (November 2) is the Commemoration of All Faithful Departed (or for short, All Souls Day).  The Saturday Mass, although on November 1 (which is normally All Saints Day) is the anticipated Mass for All Souls, as it is a late afternoon/evening Mass.  Because All Saints falls on a Saturday this year, 1 - there is no obligation, and 2 - All Saints would only apply to any morning Masses celebrated on that day.  The Sunday after that (November 9) is the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John Lateran in Rome.  While St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican is the Pontifical Basilica, St. John Lateran is the Cathedral of Rome, and the official seat of the Pope as Bishop of Rome.

Numbering of Sundays of the Year will resume on November 16 (Sunday XXXIII), but not for long as the Sunday after that (November 23) is the Solemnity of Christ the King (formal title: Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe).

Without further ado, for THIS Sunday...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (or recited, celebrant's discretion)

Sanctus and Agnus Dei: People's Mass (Jan Vermulst) (Listen)
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (ICEL chant)

Amen: Danish Amen

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Breaking Bread hymnal, page 224

Psalm 34: R./ The Lord hears the cry of the poor (BMP) (PDF)

Alleluia: Lucien Deiss, C.S.Sp.

HYMNS, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #434 Love divine, all loves excelling ("Hyfrydol") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: #450 The King of love my shepherd is ("St. Columba") (Listen)

Responsory during Communion: Magnificat (Tone VIII/Ciro Grassi)

Recessional hymn: #724 Rejoice, the Lord is King ("Darwall's 148th") (Listen)

The listen links for this Sunday's entrance and recessional hymns feature some really cool arrangements from Buffalo, NY.

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

SUNDAY XXIX at 8:00

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (or recited, celebrant's discretion)

Sanctus and Agnus Dei: People's Mass (Jan Vermulst) (Listen)
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (ICEL chant)

Amen: Danish Amen

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Pew Missal, page 222

Psalm 121: R./ Our help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)

Alleluia: Lucien Deiss, C.S.Sp.

HYMNS, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #217 We gather together ("Kremser") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: #369 Shepherd of souls ("St. Agnes") (Listen)

Anthem during Communion: Ave Maria (Franz Schubert) (featuring Doris)
Recessional hymn: #721 All hail the pow'r of Jesus' Name ("Coronation") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

SUNDAY XXVIII at VIII O'CLOCK

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (or recited, celebrant's discretion)

Sanctus and Agnus Dei: People's Mass (Jan Vermulst) (Listen)
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (ICEL chant)

Amen: Danish Amen

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Pew Missal, page 220

Psalm 95: R./ If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts (Owen Alstott)

Alleluia: Lucien Deiss, C.S.Sp.

HYMNS, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #212 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty ("Lobe den Herren")

Offertory hymn: #471 I sing the mighty pow'r of God ("Ellacombe") (Listen)

Anthem during Communion: Lead, kindly light ("Sandon") (Listen)

- Like "Praise to the Holiest in the height", which we sang for a couple of weeks last month, the text comes from Saint John Henry Newman.

Meditation hymn: #345 Gift of Finest Wheat ("Bicentennial") (vv. 1, 2, 5)

Recessional hymn: #721 All hail the pow'r of Jesus' Name ("Coronation") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

SUNDAY XXVII at EIGHT O'CLOCK

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (or recited, celebrant's discretion)

Sanctus and Agnus Dei: People's Mass (Jan Vermulst) (Listen)
Memorial Acclamation: Save us, Savior of the world (ICEL chant)

Amen: Danish Amen

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Pew Missal, page 218

Psalm 95: R./ If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts (Owen Alstott)

Alleluia: Lucien Deiss, C.S.Sp.

HYMNS, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #576 O God, our help in ages past ("St. Anne") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: #473 Faith of our fathers ("St. Catherine") (Listen)

Hymn during Communion: Ave Verum (Chant, Mode I with brief intervening organ improvisations)

Meditation hymn: #372 Lord, who at that first Eucharist ("Unde et Memores"/vv. 1-3) (Listen)

Recessional hymn: #471 I sing the mighty pow'r of God ("Ellacombe") (Listen)

- Same tune as such hymns as "Go, make of all disciples" and "The day of Resurrection", which we've sung before.

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP