THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH (8:00 version) and THE EVOLUTION OF THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR

The liturgical calendar up until 1969 is far different from what it is today, especially in terms of Christmastide.  Of course, Christmas has always been December 25 for as long as many of us, even those twice my age (I'm 61, lol) can remember.  However, let's look at how the rest of the season evolved...

The Sunday in the Octave of Christmas now is the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  Until 1969, it was simply the "Sunday in the Octave of Christmas."

New Year's Day: January 1, the Octave Day of Christmas is the same on the most part in terms of Scripture.  However, the feast title evolved from Christ-focused (The Circumcision of the Lord) to Mary-focused (Mary, Mother of God).

The Sunday after January 1 is the Epiphany of the Lord.  However, until 1969, the Epiphany was celebrated on the fixed date of January 6.  For those not exactly familiar with the story behind The Twelve Days of Christmas (always one of my favorite Christmas songs outside of Mass), those days are December 25 to January 6.  Also, in the traditional calendar, if the Sunday after January 1 fell from January 2-5, it was simply the Second Sunday after Christmas.

The Sunday after January 6 in the traditional calendar was the Feast of the Holy Family (unless the Sunday after January 6 is January 13), moved to this Sunday since 1969.  In the current calendar, it is the Epiphany if it falls on January 7-8, otherwise, the Baptism of the Lord (if on January 9-13).  In the traditional calendar, the Baptism of the Lord fell on the fixed date of January 13.

It should be known also that for those parishes who celebrate the Mass in the Extraordinary Form (that is, the Traditional Latin Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962), the traditional (pre-1969) calendar is still followed.  For the rest of us (Mass in the Ordinary Form), the modern calendar is followed.

Having served four years (1999-2003) at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Providence, Rhode Island, where Mass is still to this day held in both forms, I let my experience do the talking. ;)

That said, here is the music for Holy Family:

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 53 in the Breaking Bread hymnal.
Psalm 128: R./ O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways (Pérè Joseph Gelineau, SJ)
- This Psalm setting is most often my go-to when playing at nuptial Masses.
Alleluia "Divinum Mysterium" (Mode V, adapted by BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #110 Once in royal David's city ("Irby") (Listen)
Offertory hymn: #101 What child is this ("Greensleeves") (Listen)

- While the arrangement in the listen link is not one I'd use at Mass, ever, it's a cool arrangement to listen to at home.  I grew up hearing this arrangement by the Brothers Four.  This is from one of two Christmas albums my parents got from Goodyear back in the 1960s (they also had two albums from Firestone back then).
Hymn during Communion: #92 Of the Father's love begotten ("Divinum Mysterium")(Listen)

- The first lines of the melody is from which the Alleluia response is adapted.

Recessional hymn: #109 Angels we have heard on high ("Gloria")
- Do we really need a listen link for this hymn?

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

IV ADVENT and an "O" REFRESHER

A Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall name him Emmanuel - "God with us." (Matthew 1:23).

The Year A version of the IV Advent Gospel reading echoes the last few verses of the Gospel of the Vigil of Christmas.  The difference is the first 17 verses of the Christmas Vigil Gospel give the detailed geneology of Christ, beginning with Abraham.

Some of the hymnody for this weekend contains kind of a "pre-Christmas" theme without being Christmas (which is just four days later).

Also, one more round of O come, O come, Emmanuel, as it is based on the "O" Antiphons.  There are seven such antiphons - each one assigned to a particular day from December 17-23.  The antiphon for December 21 (this Sunday) is thus:

    O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice:

        come and shine on those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death.

This leads us to verse 6 of O come, O come...

    O come, thou Dayspring from on high, and cheer us by thy drawing nigh.

    Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadow put to flight.

    Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

Without further ado...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie (if sung): parrot Father (read: repeat what he sings/says)
THE GLORIA IS OMITTED IN ADVENT
Sanctus: #9 on page 14, ICEL chant
Memorial Acclamtion: #10 on page 16, We proclaim your death, O Lord, ICEL chant
Amen: single (do do-re, or fa fa-so, or so so-la, whatever you're in the "mode" for)
Agnus Dei: #843, Mass XVIII

PROPER OF THE MASS:
Readings are in the Breaking Bread hymnal on page 42.
Psalm 24: R./ Let the Lord enter; he is King of glory. (Richard Proulx)
Alleluia "Conditor Alme" (BMP/adapted from "Conditor Alme Siderum", Mode IV)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #39, O come, O come, Emmanuel ("Veni, Emmanuel")
Offertory hymn: #52 The angel Gabriel from heaven came ("Gabriel's Message") (Listen)
Hymn during Communion: #97 Lo! how a rose e'er blooming ("Es ist ein ros'") (Listen)
Recessional hymn: #44 O come, divine Messiah ("Venez, Divin Messie") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

GAUDETE IN DOMINO SEMPER (III ADVENT - EIGHT O'CLOCK EDITION)

Gaudete in Domino semper.  Iterum dico: Gaudete!

That is...

Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again, I say: Rejoice!

The above is the beginning of the Introit appointed by both the Roman Missal and the Roman Gradual for this coming Sunday, that is, the Third Sunday of Advent, aka "Gaudete Sunday".  You'll see rose colored vestments worn by the priest celebrating Mass this weekend, and on the Advent wreath, the third candle lit is the rose candle.

The Introit according to the Roman Missal is rather brief:

Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again, I say: Rejoice!  Indeed the Lord is near.

The Roman Gradual has a longer version:

Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again, I say: Rejoice!  Let your kindness be known to all men.

The Lord is near.

Be not anxious over anything, but in all ways of prayer make your petitions known to God.

Year C's Epistle reading (from St. Paul's letter to the Philippians - that is, last year's Epistle) also includes the longer Introit.

In this Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus himself refers to John the Baptist (remember him, that herald's voice in the desert?) as "the messenger sent before me who will prepare the way for you."

Today's entrance hymn reflects the Gospel of the day while the Communion and recessional hymns give us that taste of "Rejoice!".  The recessional hymn especially: Rejoice, again I say: Rejoice!

Therefore...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie (if sung): parrot Father (read: repeat what he sings/says)
THE GLORIA IS OMITTED IN ADVENT
Sanctus: #9 on page 14, ICEL chant
Memorial Acclamtion: #10 on page 16, We proclaim your death, O Lord, ICEL chant
Amen: single (do do-re, or fa fa-so, or so so-la, whatever you're in the "mode" for)
Agnus Dei: #843, Mass XVIII

PROPER OF THE MASS:
Readings are in the Breaking Bread hymnal on page 40.
Psalm 146: R./ Lord, come and save us (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)
Alleluia "Conditor Alme" (BMP/adapted from "Conditor Alme Siderum", Mode IV)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #41 On Jordan's bank ("Winchester New") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: #42 Come, thou long-expected Jesus ("Stuttgart") (Listen)

Communion hymn: #39, O come, O come, Emmanuel ("Veni, Emmanuel")

Recessional hymn, #724 Rejoice! the Lord is King, verses 1 and 4 ("Darwall's 148th") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

THE THREE-DAY WEEKEND

This Monday, December 8, is a Holyday of Obligation, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, patroness of the United States of America.  Mass is held at 7:45 AM at St. Eugene's and 6:30 PM at St. Joseph's.  I will be playing the 6:30 PM Mass at St. Joseph's (the music listed here reflects the evening Mass).  Rich Phelan (who plays the 10:30 Mass on Sundays) will play the morning Mass at St. Eugene's.

Sundays II and III of Advent (December 7 and 14) are the Sundays where John the Baptist comes into the picture.  He is that "herald's voice" calling out to "prepare the way of the Lord".  This weekend's hymns reflect that call.

That said, here it is...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

December 7 - Sunday II of Advent

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie (if sung): parrot Father (read: repeat what he sings/says)
THE GLORIA IS OMITTED IN ADVENT (except for this Monday)
Sanctus: #9 on page 14, ICEL chant
Memorial Acclamtion: #10 on page 16, We proclaim your death, O Lord, ICEL chant
Amen: single (do do-re, or fa fa-so, or so so-la, whatever you're in the "mode" for)
Agnus Dei: #843, Mass XVIII

PROPER OF THE MASS:
Readings are in the Breaking Bread hymnal on page 33.
Psalm 72: R./ Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever (Richard Rice)
Alleluia "Conditor Alme" (BMP/adapted from "Conditor Alme Siderum", Mode IV)

Hymns, etc.:
Entrance hymn: #41 On Jordan's bank ("Winchester New") (Listen)
Offertory hymn: #60 Comfort, comfort, ye my people ("Geneva 42") (Listen)
Hymn during Communion: #39, O come, O come, Emmanuel ("Veni, Emmanuel")
Recessional hymn: #43 People, look East ("Besancon Carol") (Listen)

December 8 - The Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M.

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Gloria: Holy Angels Mass (BMP)
Sanctus: #9 on page 14, ICEL chant
Memorial Acclamtion: #10 on page 16, We proclaim your death, O Lord, ICEL chant
Amen: single (do do-re, or fa fa-so, or so so-la, whatever you're in the "mode" for)
Agnus Dei: #843, Mass XVIII

PROPER OF THE MASS:

PROPER OF THE MASS:
Readings are in the Breaking Bread hymnal on page 36.
Psalm 98: R./ Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous deeds (J. Robert Carroll)
Alleluia "Conditor Alme" (BMP/adapted from "Conditor Alme Siderum", Mode IV)

Hymns, etc.:
Entrance hymn: #694 Sing of Mary, pure and lowly ("Pleading Savior") (Listen)
Offertory hymn: #52 The angel Gabriel from heaven came ("Gabriel's Message") (Listen)
Hymn during Communion: #97 Lo! how a rose e'er blooming ("Es ist ein ros'") (Listen)
Recessional hymn: #205 Immaculate Mary

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

THANKSGIVING DAY at 9 and FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT at 8

Sorry I'm late with the Thanksgiving Day list.  Very hectic week at Chez Page lol.

Anyways, I'll start you with that list...

Thanksgiving Day (November 27) 9 AM

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 236 in the Breaking Bread hymnal
Psalm 145: R./ I will praise your Name for ever, O Lord (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)
Alleluia: the refrain of the hymn Christ is the King ("Gelobt sei Gott") (Listen)

Hymns, etc.
Entrance hymn: #217 We gather together ("Kremser")
Offertory hymn: #220 Come, ye thankful people, come ("St. George's Windsor")
- same tune as "Hail, Redeemer, King divine", which we sang the previous two Sundays.
Communion hymn: #345 Gift of Finest Wheat ("Bicentennial")
Recessional hymn: #205 Now thank we all our God ("Nun Danket")

And now...

First Sunday of Advent (November 30) 8 AM

"Stay awake!  You'll never know on which day the Lord will come!"
This is the theme of this First Sunday of Advent each year, with each of the first three Evangelists (in biblical order) writing their own take on it.  This year we begin Year A in the regular three-year rotation, so we hear Matthew's take.

For myself and many organists/music directors/singers I've talked to, whether online or in person, Advent is my favorite season in terms of hymnody and other liturgical music.  So many gorgeous hymns.  The First Sunday of Advent alone is chocked full of hymns that speak of that preparedness we need for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but there is only room for so many!!!  Here's what we'll be singing this weekend...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie (if sung): parrot Father (read: repeat what he sings/says)
THE GLORIA IS OMITTED IN ADVENT (except for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8)
Sanctus: #9 on page 14, ICEL chant
Memorial Acclamtion: #10 on page 16, We proclaim your death, O Lord, ICEL chant
Amen: single (do do-re, or fa fa-so, or so so-la, whatever you're in the "mode" for)
Agnus Dei: #843, Mass XVIII

PROPER OF THE MASS:
Readings begin on page 31 in the Breaking Bread hymnal
- As customary, the new 2026 Breaking Bread hymnal begins with Advent, the beginning of the Liturgical Year, not the calendar year.
Psalm 122: R./ Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord (BMP)
- The same response as last week, but using all five verses instead of just three.  The number of verses we sing of the Responsorial Psalm, by the way, is not my choice, but appointed by the Lectionary for Mass.  Last weekend (Christ the King, Year C) called for the first three verses.  This weekend (I Advent, Year A) calls for all five.
Alleluia "Conditor Alme" (BMP/adapted from "Conditor Alme Siderum", Mode IV)

Hymns, etc.
Entrance hymn: #39, O come, O come, Emmanuel ("Veni, Emmanuel")
Offertory hymn: #44, O come, divine Messiah ("Venez, Divin Messie") (Listen)
- In my days in Woonsocket, I've had a couple of occasions where we sang this in the original French.
Communion hymn: #47, The King shall come when morning dawns ("Morning Song") (Listen)
Recessional hymn: #59, Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates ("Truro") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, KING OF THE UNIVERSE Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat!

Our last Sunday of the Year is affectionately known as Christ the King (sometimes branded as "Christus Rex" or "X-Rex").  The formal title is "Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe", faithful to the Latin title that appears in the Graduale Romanum, "Dominus Noster Jesus Christus Universorum Regis".  Traditionally this Solemnity was celebrated on the last Sunday in October.  In 1969, with the advent of the Novus Ordo, we changed from a one-year liturgical cycle to a three-year liturgical cycle, and a good amount of feasts changed dates.  "X-Rex" is one of those.

One hymn I can never in good conscience do without on Christ the King is To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King.  Sure, there are a number of hymns dedicated to Christ the King, including the ones we're singing this weekend.  But To Jesus Christ... particularly stands out for me.

One of the antiphons still heard in many high churches, whether it be the chant setting, the Roman/Vatican setting or even a more modern setting (including my own) is Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat!  Literally translated, that is, Christ conquers, Christ reigns, Christ commands!  In writing the text of To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King, Msgr. Martin B. Hellreigel included a paraphrase of that antiphon: Christ Jesus victor, Christ Jesus ruler, Christ Jesus Lord and Commander.  Of course in just about every hymnal, the ending is now Christ Jesus Lord and Redeemer, however, Msgr. Hellreigel originally wrote "Commander", which literally corresponds with "Christus imperat".  When it got changed to "Redeemer", I don't know, and I couldn't find anything on it in my grasp, but nonetheless, Christ is our victor, ruler, commander and Redeemer!  This will be our recessional hymn this weekend.

That said:

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 234 in the Breaking Bread hymnal
Psalm 122: R./ Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord (BMP)
Alleluia: the refrain of the hymn Christ is the King ("Gelobt sei Gott") (Listen)

Hymns, etc.
Entrance hymn: #724 Rejoice! the Lord is King ("Darwall's 148th") (Listen)
Offertory hymn: #722 Hail, Redeemer, King Divine ("St. George's Windsor") (Listen)
Communion hymn: #714 Alleluia! sing to Jesus ("Hyfrydol") (Listen)
Recessional hymn: #717 To Jesus Christ, our sov'reign King ("Ich Glaub an Gott") (Listen)

- The listen link is played on a five-manual behemoth of a pipe organ in Chicago. :)

CHRISTUS VINCIT!  CHRISTUS REGNAT!  CHRISTUS IMPERAT!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

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