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