III EASTER at 8:00

The disciples have come to recognize the Lord Jesus in the breaking of the bread.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Gloria and Memorial Acclamation: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria may be recited or sung, according to the celebrant's discretion)

Sanctus and Agnus Dei: People's Mass (Jan Vermulst) (Listen)
Amen: Dresden Amen

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings begin on page 143 in the Breaking Bread Hymnal.

Psalm 16: R./ Lord, you will show us the path of life. (BMP)

Alleluia "O Filii et Filiae" (Mode II/BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #177 At the Lamb's high feast we sing ("Salzburg") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: #368 Shepherd of souls ("St. Agnes") (Listen)

Communion hymn: #194 Good Christians all, rejoice and sing ("Gelobt sei Gott") (Listen)

Recessional hymn: #179 Christ the Lord is ris'n today ("Llanfair") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

LOW/QUASIMODO/DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY (II Easter) 8:00 version

Following is a clip from a blog post I made for my other parish (Sacred Heart in West Warwick), about the different names for the Second Sunday of Easter, adapted for St. Eugene's.

Liturgical Tidbits   from Brian Michael Page

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

This Second Sunday of Easter, the eighth day of the Easter Octave, is traditionally known as “Low Sunday.”  The origin of the name is unknown, but is meant to contrast between that first and final days of the Octave, between the high feast of Easter Sunday (and its Great Vigil) and the finale (Low Sunday) (source: newadvent.org).

Another name traditionally given is “Quasimodo Sunday,” not after the lead character in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, but after the first word of the Introit in Latin: “Quasi modo geniti infantes, rationabile, sine dolo lac concupiscite” (Like newborn babes, crave for pure spiritual milk).  Incidentally, the names “Gaudete Sunday” (for the Third Sunday of Advent) and “Laetare Sunday” (for the Fourth Sunday of Lent) are also after their respective Introits’ first words, both meaning “Rejoice.”

Today we name this day “Divine Mercy Sunday,” as decreed by Pope John Paul II in 2000 upon the canonization of St. Faustina Kowalska, who had received revelations from Our Lord Jesus Christ on the Divine Mercy (source: ewtn.com).

THREE SONGS OF THOMAS

In today’s Gospel, the Apostles revealed to Thomas, “We have seen the Lord.”  Thomas replied that he will not believe it until he has put his finger into the nail marks or touch his hands or his side.  Jesus replied, “You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me!  Blessed are those who have not seen me but still believe!” (also repeated in today’s Alleluia verse).  Three of today’s hymns reflect this.

Ye sons and daughters (Breaking Bread, #183) – At the Offertory, we will skip the first three verses today and go right to the Gospel allusion, which begins with verse 4, which directly depicts the scene I mention in the above paragraph (which goes from verses 4 through 8).

Godhead here in hiding (Breaking Bread, #370) – This hymn, which will be sung during Communion, has a couple of allusions.  I call your attention to a couple of verses (I will use the most directly translated hymn, Godhead Here in Hiding.)  Verses 2 and 4:

  2. Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived;
      How says trusty hearing? That shall be believed;
      What God’s Son has told me, take for truth I do;
      Truth himself speaks truly, or there’s nothing true.
 
  4. I am not like Thomas, wounds I cannot see,
      But I plainly call thee Lord and God as he.
      This faith each day deeper be my holding of,
      Daily make me harder hope and dearer love.

Incidentally, the hymn text in Latin comes from another Thomas, that is, St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), author of several Eucharistic hymns, including the beloved Tantum Ergo.

We Walk by Faith and Not by Sight (Breaking Bread, #472) – The title here is self-explanatory.  Here, while not calling out Thomas directly, we still “call out” his doubt in singing these words (Verses 1 and 2 are as follows):

   1. We walk by faith and not by sight; No gracious words we hear
       Of him who spoke as none e’er spoke, But we believe him near.
  
  2. We may not touch his hands and side, Nor follow where he trod,
      But in his promise we rejoice, And cry, “My Lord and God!”

This is our recessional hymn today, set to the familiar tune, “St. Anne,” most commonly used with the hymn, O God, Our Help in Ages Past.  The author is Henry Alford, who also gave us the beloved Thanksgiving hymn, Come, Ye Thankful People, Come.

And now, without further ado, the music for this Sunday

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Gloria and Memorial Acclamation: Holy Angels Mass (BMP) (Gloria may be recited or sung, according to the celebrant's discretion)

Sanctus and Agnus Dei: People's Mass (Jan Vermulst) (Listen)
Amen: Dresden Amen

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings begin on page 141 in the Breaking Bread Hymnal.

Psalm 118: R./ Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love is everlasting. (Owen Alstott)

Alleluia "O Filii et Filiae" (Mode II/BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #193 Jesus Christ is ris'n today ("Easter Hymn") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: #183 Ye sons and daughters ("O Filii et Filiae"/Mode II) (Listen)

- We will start with verse 4.

Hymn during Communion: #370 Godhead here in hiding (Mode V) (Listen)

- While this listen link is being sung in the original Latin ("Adoro te devote"), we will sing the text in English.

Recessional hymn: #472 We walk by faith ("St. Anne") (Listen)

- This is sung , not to the tune written in the hymnal, but to the tune of another familiar hymn, "O God, our help in ages past".  The words, however, are the same.

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

V LENT (Last Sunday) and PALM SUNDAY (This Sunday), and TWO PASSION SUNDAYS? WHAT???

Forgot to post last week's music.  My bad.

Many in this age may not realize this, but traditionally there are TWO Passion Sundays.  The Fifth Sunday of Lent (last Sunday), until the Mass (including the Lectionary) underwent its 1969 alteration, was known as the "First Sunday of the Passion" (or "Passion Sunday").  Palm Sunday was also known as the "Second Sunday of the Passion".

In the First Sunday of the Passion (traditional calendar), Jesus confronts a crowd of Jews who imply that he might be a "devil", and question that he's "not even fifty years old yet, but he's already seen Abraham???"  Of course, Jesus stood up to them, saying "Abraham came to be, therefore I am."  He managed to escape a stoning.

The modern Mass ("Novus Ordo" or "Ordinary Form") has a three-year liturgical cycle of readings.  Last Sunday, we heard the Gospel depicting another passion - that is, the death of Jesus' good friend, Lazarus.  When Jesus got to the tomb of Lazarus, he cried out, "Lazarus, come out!"  And he did come out, hands and feet bound, though he had been dead for four days.  A happy ending of sorts for that day.

Palm Sunday has a triumphant beginning, but a somber ending.  It starts with Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where the crowds cheer, "Hosanna to the Son of David!  Hosanna in the highest!" to a somber ending: Jesus put to death on the Cross.  From there we have to wait till Easter till we can rejoice again.

In the modern liturgy (three-year rotation), we read the Passion according to St. Matthew this year.  Next year, St. Mark.  Last year, St. Luke.  The Good Friday Passion is always that according to St. John.  In the traditional calendar (same readings every year), the St. Matthew Passion is read on Palm Sunday, St. Mark on the Monday of Holy Week, and St. Luke on the Tuesday of Holy Week.  Wednesday is traditionally known as "Spy Wednesday", in which Judas handed Jesus over to be arrested and put to death by crucifixion (for 30 silver pieces).

SO:

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

March 20 - Stations of the Cross (7:00 PM)

Entrance hymn: #709 Take up your cross ("Erhalt uns, Herr")

Recessional hymn: #712 Lift high the cross ("Crucifer")

March 22 - Fifth Sunday of Lent (8:00 AM)

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie XVI or recited
Sanctus (ICEL chant)
Save us, Savior of the world (Memorial Acclamation/ICEL chant)
Single Amen (do do-re)
Agnus Dei XVIII: #843

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings are on page 85 in the Breaking Bread hymnal

Psalm 130: With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption (BMP)

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #140 Lord, who throughout these forty days ("St. Flavian")

Offertory hymn: #630 Abide with me ("Eventide")

Hymn during Communion: #160 When I survey the wondrous cross ("Hamburg")

Recessional hymn: #712 Lift high the cross ("Crucifer")

March 27 - Stations of the Cross (7:00 PM)

Entrance hymn: #630 Abide with me ("Eventide")

Recessional hymn: #712 Lift high the cross ("Crucifer")

Now here's where this gets interesting...

March 29 - Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

ORDINARY OF THE MASS same as March 22, above, except there is no Kyrie.

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings are on page 117 in the Pew Missal.

Psalm 22: My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? (Owen Alstott)

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance antiphon: #21 Hosanna to the Son of David (Mode VII/page 88)

Hymn during the Procession: #147 All glory, laud and honor ("St. Theodulph") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: Pew Missal, #158 O sacred Head surrounded ("Passion Chorale") (Listen)

- The choir in this listen link is singing this at the tempo it should be sung: slow and deliberate.  This highlights the "Passion" feel, plus the passing tones that J.S. Bach used in the harmony can be heard nicely.
- On a secular note: listen to "O sacred Head", then listen to "American Tune" by Paul Simon.  Simon used the tune of "O sacred Head" as the base for his "American Tune".

Hymn during Communion: #156 Were you there (Spiritual)

Recessional hymn: #155 Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory ("Pange Lingua") (Listen)

- This is one of two "Pange Lingua" texts.  This one, passion themed, is a translation from a "Pange Lingua" by Venantius Fortunatus.  The other, which is usually sung on Holy Thursday when the Holy Eucharist is solemnly transferred, is a translation from the more famous "Pange Lingua" by St. Thomas Aquinas, which ends with the "Tantum Ergo."  The tune for both is the same.

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

STATIONS AND SOUP AT SEVEN and LAETARE SUNDAY AT EIGHT

Laetare, Latin for "Rejoice", as begins this day's introit: Rejoice, O Jerusalem, and all who love her!  Be joyful, those in mourning!  Exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast!

The man born blind now can see.

MUSIC FOR STATIONS

Friday, March 13 (7:00 PM)

Entrance hymn: #407 There's a wideness in God's mercy ("In Babilone") (Listen)
Recessional hymn: #712 Lift high the cross ("Crucifer") (Listen)
- Fanfare courtesy of Holy Cross Cathedral, Boston, MA, Richard J. Clark, organist/director.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Sunday IV in Lent (Laetare) - Sunday, March 15 (8:00 AM)

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie XVI or recited
Sanctus (ICEL chant)
Save us, Savior of the world (Memorial Acclamation/ICEL chant)
Single Amen (do do-re)
Agnus Dei XVIII: #843

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings are on page 82 in the Breaking Bread hymnal

Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want (Owen Alstott)

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #709 Take up your cross ("Erhalt uns, Herr") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: #519 The King of love my shepherd is ("St. Columba") (Listen)

Communion hymn: #424 Be thou my vision ("Slane") (Listen)

- Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart...waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

Recessional hymn: #447 Amazing grace ("New Britain")

- Verse 1: I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

- I doubt we need a listen link for "Amazing Grace".  ;)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

STATIONS OF THE CROSS at SEVEN (PM) and III LENT at EIGHT (AM)

Lord, you are truly the Savior of the world.  Give me living water that I may never thirst again. (John 4:42, 15, this Sunday's verse to the Gospel Acclamation, which are also excerpts from today's Gospel reading.)

These passages drew me to today's offertory hymn I heard the voice of Jesus say (Breaking Bread hymnal, #524), as the second verse alludes to them.

    I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Behold I freely give

    The living water, thirsty one, Stoop down, and drink and live."

    I came to Jesus, and I drank Of that life giving stream;

    My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in him.

That said, I now present to you:

MUSIC FOR STATIONS

Friday, March 6 (7:00 PM)

Entrance hymn: #146 The glory of these forty days ("Erhalt Uns, Herr") (Listen)
Recessional hymn: #712 Lift high the cross ("Crucifer") (Listen)
- Fanfare courtesy of Holy Cross Cathedral, Boston, MA, Richard J. Clark, organist/director.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Sunday III in Lent - Sunday, March 8 (8:00 AM)

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie XVI or recited
Sanctus (ICEL chant)
Save us, Savior of the world (Memorial Acclamation/ICEL chant)
Single Amen (do do-re)
Agnus Dei XVIII: #843

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings are on page 79 in the Breaking Bread hymnal

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

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #561 Praise to the Holiest in the height ("Newman") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: #524 I heard the voice of Jesus say ("Kingsfold") (Listen)

- I generally play this tune a tad slower, but couldn't resist posting the fanfare from Boston.  I have to admit that I wasn't expecting a "Picardy third" at the end, that is, when a hymn is in a minor key, but the final chord is major.

Communion hymn: #407 There's a wideness in God's mercy ("In Babilone") (Listen)

- Another hymn I play a tad slower.  There is another video from the same channel where the announcer announced "There's a WILDERNESS in God's mercy" (tee hee).  I've heard my share of hymn announcment bloopers ("The strike is o'er", for example), but my first time stumbling onto that one.

Recessional hymn: #132 Forty days and forty nights ("Heinlein") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

STATIONS OF THE CROSS at 7:00 PM and II LENT (aka in some circuits, "Transfiguration Sunday") at 8:00 AM

Each year on the Second Sunday of Lent, one of the evangelists (this year, Matthew) gives an account of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Though the actual feast of the Transfiguration falls on the fixed date of August 6, the Gospel echoes that theme this Sunday.

Today's hymns reflect the Transfiguration theme as well.  The recessional hymn, The glory of these forty days, mentions Moses and Elijah in the second verse.  The middle verses of today's offertory hymn, Beautiful Savior, depict the dazzling brightness of the garments of Christ.  Finally, today's entrance hymn, 'Tis good, Lord, to be here, gathers all the elements of today's Gospel reading.

That said:

MUSIC FOR STATIONS

Friday, February 27 (7:00 PM)

Entrance hymn: #132 Forty days and forty nights ("Heinlein") (Listen)
Recessional hymn: #712 Lift high the cross ("Crucifer") (Listen)
- Fanfare courtesy of Holy Cross Cathedral, Boston, MA, Richard J. Clark, organist/director.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:
Kyrie XVI or recited
Sanctus (ICEL chant)
Save us, Savior of the world (Memorial Acclamation/ICEL chant)
Single Amen (do do-re)
Agnus Dei XVIII: #843

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings are on page 77 in the Breaking Bread hymnal

Psalm 33: Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you (Richard Proulx/Pérè Joseph Gelineau, SJ)

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #126 Tis good, Lord, to be here ("Swabia") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: #209 Beautiful Savior ("St. Elizabeth") (Listen)

- I take this just a tad slower.
Hymn during Communion: #222 Soul of my Savior ("Anima Christi") (Listen)

Recessional hymn: #146 The glory of these forty days ("Erhalt Uns, Herr") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

STATIONS OF THE CROSS at 6:30 PM and I LENT at 8:00

I'm once again honored and humbled to be your organist for Stations of the Cross ("Stations and Soup") on the Fridays of Lent! ;)

During Lent, with the exception of the Fourth Sunday (Laetare Sunday, March 15), the following two rules are observed:

    1. I take a little bit off the organ.  It may not sound like much, but some brighter stops are put

        to less use (e.g., using only the swell mixture where normally the great mixture would be used

        or taking off a brighter principal stop).

    2. There will be no prelude or postlude (that is, the instrumental music before and after Mass).
        So if you don't hear any music before the entrance hymn, rest assured of two things: 1. I did
        show up to Mass, ready to do my work, and 2. I did not fall asleep. ;)

The liturgical norm during Lent, except for the Fourth Sunday and Solemnities (there are two: St. Joseph Day, March 19, and Annunciation, March 25), is that the organ should only be used to support singing.

With that, I present to you...

MUSIC FOR STATIONS:

Friday, February 20 (6:30 PM)

Entrance hymn: #140 Lord, who throughout these forty days ("St. Flavian") (Listen)

Recessional hymn: #712 Lift high the cross ("Crucifer") (Listen)
- Fanfare courtesy of Holy Cross Cathedral, Boston, MA, Richard J. Clark, organist/director.

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

Sunday I of Lent (February 22)

ORDINARY OF THE MASS:

Kyrie XVI or recited

Sanctus (ICEL chant)
Save us, Savior of the world (Memorial Acclamation/ICEL chant)
Single Amen (do do-re)

Agnus Dei XVIII: #843

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings are on page 75 in the Breaking Bread hymnal

Psalm 51: Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned (C. Alexander Peloquin)

Gospel Acclamation: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory (Fr. Samuel F. Weber, OSB)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #561 Praise to the Holiest in the height ("Newman") (Listen)

- This hymn alludes to the original sin of Adam (and Eve, too - it takes two to tango), which is cited in both the first and second readings of the day.

Offertory hymn: #368 Shepherd of souls ("St. Agnes") (Listen)

- That allusion to not living by bread alone explains my use of this hymn on I Lent.

Responsory during Communion: #138 Have mercy on us, Lord (Mode V)

Recessional hymn: #140 Lord, who throughout these forty days ("St. Flavian")

- The first two verses allude to Jesus' overcoming the temptations of Satan in the desert, the day's Gospel.

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

THE REMAINDER OF WINTER "GREEN SEASON" and "PUTTING THE ALLELUIA AWAY" REVISITED

Sorry I've been a bit lax on posting the music for Mass the last couple of weeks.  Two weeks ago, I just totally forgot.  Last week, I was waiting to see what the weather was going to give us.  I think many of us can agree that this is the worst winter in this area since 2015.  If you remember that year, for six weeks solid in February and even March, we got one snow storm after another.  One storm gets plowed out, the next one would come in almost immediately after, and each of these storms gave us six inches or more of snow.  This year, it seems like the snow likes to hit us on weekends, Sundays especially.

Before I print the lists for the past two weeks and this coming week, here is a blurb from last year (adapted for this year) about "putting the Alleluia away".

Today we enter the Sixth Sunday of the Year, or, the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.  In addition to hymns that may align with the day's Scripture, we also tend to use hymns that include the word "Alleluia" multiple times per verse.  The recessional hymn for this weekend fits that description well.  That hymn is Ye watchers and ye holy ones, which contains six to seven alleluias per verse.  The postlude following the hymn, albeit organ only, is Festive Alleluia by Gordon Young, in which the primary theme is "Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, amen!"

On that Sunday, or even on Tuesday (Mardi Gras), some churches have a ritual for "burying" or "putting away" the Alleluia, which often includes a hymn, namely one called Alleluia, song of gladness.  In the case of St. John Cantius Church in Chicago, a church that has a little of everything - Mass in English (Ordinary Form, of course) as well as Mass in Latin in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Form - the Alleluia (on a plaque) is carried to its "place of repose" (just like the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday), then "buried" under the cloth of the side altar, then incensed.  See for yourself!  

        Alleluia, song of gladness, Voice of joy that cannot die;

        Alleluia is the anthem Ever dear by choirs on high;

        In the house of God abiding Thus they sing eternally.

        Alleluia, thou resoundest, True Jerusalem and free;

        Alleluia, joyful mother, All thy children sing with thee;

        But by Babylon's sad waters Mourning exiles still are we.

        Alleluia cannot always Be our song while here below;

        Alleluia our transgressions Make us for a while forgo;

        For the solemn time is coming When our tears for sin shall flow.

        Therefore in our hymns we pray thee, Grant us, blessèd Trinity,

        At the last to keep glad Easter In our home beyond the sky,

        There to thee for ever singing Alleluia joyfully.

Notice how in that hymn tells us that we must for a time be mournful - mournful of our sins - mournful for the trials of Christ leading from his being tempted in the desert until his Passion and death - until the day of his Resurrection, at which we can sing "Alleluia!" once again.

On a lighter note, when I was music director at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Providence, we used to have a Mass on the day before Ash Wednesday (you know, Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday), followed by a "Bring Your Most Fattening Dessert" coalition in the school hall.  Needless to say, my wife Ann would bring her own brand of Reese's peanut butter cups.  MMMMM!  They were so good, and usually amongst the first items to be devoured by those in attendance!  Many other delicious treats brought in as well!

The next day, of course, was Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting!

And now, without further ado...

 

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

Sunday IV - February 1

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Breaking Bread book, page 65

Psalm 146: R./ Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs. (Richard Rice)

Alleluia I for Ordinary Time (BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #708 Come, thou almighty King ("Italian Hymn")
Offertory hymn: #524 I heard the voice of Jesus say ("Kingsfold")

Communion hymn: #651 O breathe on me, O breath of God ("St. Columba")

Recessional hymn: #728 Crown him with many crowns ("Diademata")

Sunday V - February 8

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Breaking Bread book, page 67

Psalm 112: R./ The just man is a light in darkness to the upright. (BMP) (Listen)

- The listen link is from a Mass that took place this past Sunday at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri.  I am happy to say that most of the Psalm settings sung there come from the pen of yours truly.  Fast forward to about the 14-minute mark and you'll hear this Sunday's Psalm setting in action with their excellent choir.

Alleluia I for Ordinary Time (BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #313 All people that on earth do dwell ("Old Hundredth")

Offertory hymn: #481 Faith of our fathers ("St. Catherine")

Communion hymn: #582 Immortal, invisible, God only wise ("St. Denio")
Recessional hymn: #207 Holy God, we praise thy Name ("Großer Gott")

Sunday VI - February 15

PROPER OF THE MASS:

Readings: Breaking Bread book, page 69

Psalm 119: R./ Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord. (Fr. Samuel Weber, OSB)

Alleluia I for Ordinary Time (BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #213 Praise to the Lord, the Almighty ("Lobe den Herren") (Listen)

- This listen link fresh from Westminster Abbey, London.

Offertory hymn: #411 Love divine, all loves excelling ("Hyfrydol") (Listen)

Communion hymn: #25 Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory (Mode III) (Listen)

- This listen link contains the original Latin, as well as translations in Polish and English.  The English translation in the video differs from that given in the hymnal, but the tune is the same.

Recessional hymn: #716 Ye watchers and ye holy ones ("Lasst uns Erfreuen") (Listen)

Postlude (organ): Festive Alleluia (Gordon Young)

Now THAT'S putting the Alleluia away with a bang!

Quod scripsi, scripsi!

BMP

SUNDAY III at EIGHT!

"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men!" The base of this Sunday's recessional hymn, Go, make of all disciples.

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 63

Psalm 27: R./ The Lord is my light and my salvation. (Richard Proulx/Joseph Gelienau, SJ)

Alleluia I for Ordinary Time (BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #540 The Church's one foundation ("Aurelia") (Listen)

Offertory hymn: #721 At the Name of Jesus ("King's Weston") (Listen)

Communion hymn: #424 Be thou my vision ("Slane") (Listen)

Recessional hymn: #196 Go, make of all disciples ("Ellacombe") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

BACK TO "GREEN SEASON" - SUNDAY II (8:00 Edition)

Most people hear the word "green" these days in an ecological sense.  "Going green" as in "saving the planet" and related causes.

"Going green" takes a different meaning when it comes to gaming. My wife Ann for a long time played an online computer game called "Toontown" (yes, adults play this game too), though after her longtime "Toontown" partner died, she hasn't played as much.  But anyhoo, "Going green" in "Toontown" has a negative spin to it.  It means that your character ran out of energy and died.

To help demonstrate my age, "Sesame Street" was in its premiere season when I was in kindergarten (or as we called it then, "junior first"), and occasionally the teacher would wheel the TV into the classroom.  Kermit the Frog used to sing this song during that season called It Ain't Easy Being Green.

It really ain't easy being green (and contrary to popular opinion and proper grammar, "ain't" is a word in my dictionary).  Unless you've been experienced with the liturgical calendar (most likely as a priest, catechist or even a musician in a Catholic church), you may not know what to expect as to the "theme" of a given day's Mass, that is, what Scripture gives us for the day during what is often known as the "green season", that is, Ordinary Time, or, in fidelity to what the Roman Missal calls it in Latin, "Time through the Year" (literal translation).

What gives Ordinary Time the "green season" nickname is not "going green" in an ecological sense or even in a gaming sense.  It's not being that famous "Sesame Street" frog who went on to host "The Muppet Show".  In the liturgical sense, green is the vestment color worn by the priest celebrating Mass during Ordinary Time.  And considering Advent only has four Sundays, Lent five Sundays, Easter eight Sundays (including Easter Sunday itself and Pentecost), and Ordinary Time has 32 Sundays (numbered 2-33, Week 1 begins on the day after the Baptism of the Lord, which is a Monday or Tuesday, and Sunday 34 is Christ the King, in which the priest wears white), The priest wears a green vestment for Mass for more than half the Sundays throughout the liturgical year.

Two "seasonal hymns" in "green season"???

In last week's Gospel reading (Baptism of the Lord), we heard Matthew's account of John the Baptist's announcment that Jesus is coming to be baptized.  In this week's Gospel reading (Sunday II through the Year), we hear John's account of the same.  We begin today's Mass with the hymn On Jordan's bank, which begins "On Jordan's bank the baptist's cry announces that the Lord is nigh."  Though On Jordan's bank is often considered an Advent hymn (the second verse definitely has Advent themes), it is really fitting for the Baptism of the Lord and even this Sunday.

Another hymn that may appear to be off-season also fits well, Songs of thankfulness and praise (normally fitting for Epiphany and Baptism of the Lord), with its second verse which begins, "Manifest at Jordan's stream, Prophet, Priest and King supreme."  

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: Breaking Bread hymnal, page 61

Psalm 40: R./ Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. (Richard Proulx/Joseph Gelienau, SJ)

Alleluia I for Ordinary Time (BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

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

Offertory hymn: #368 Shepherd of Souls ("St. Agnes") (Listen)

Hymn during Communion: #678 Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All ("Sweet Sacrament") (Listen)

Recessional hymn: #112 Songs of thankfulness and praise ("Salzburg") (Listen)

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

THE EPIPHANY AND BAPTISM OF THE LORD at EIGHT O'CLOCK

OOPS!  I dropped the ball as to blogging last weekend's music selections for the Epiphany of the Lord (a solemnity).  So I am including them here along with this weekend's music selections for the Baptism of the Lord a feast).

So, without further ado...

MUSIC FOR HOLY MASS

ORDINARY OF THE MASS (both weekends):

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

January 4 - The Epiphany of the Lord

PROPER OF THE MASS:
Readings begin on page 57 in the Breaking Bread book.
Psalm 72: R./ Lord, every nation on earth will adore you (BMP)
Alleluia "Divinum Mysterium" (Mode V, adapted by BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #1159 The first Nowell (Trad. English)

Offertory hymn: #117 We three kings of Orient are ("Kings of Orient")
Hymn during Communion: #112 Songs of thankfulness and praise ("Salzburg") (Listen)

Recessional hymn: #113 As with gladness men of old ("Dix") (Listen)

- The tune name, "Dix" is named after the author of "As with gladness...", William Chatteron Dix.  Another well-known hymn, "For the beauty of the earth", is often sung to this tune.

January 11 - The Baptism of the Lord

PROPER OF THE MASS:
Readings begin on page 59 in the Breaking Bread book.
Psalm 29: R./ The Lord will bless his people with peace (Gregory Evans)
Alleluia "Divinum Mysterium" (Mode V, adapted by BMP)

Hymns, etc.:

Entrance hymn: #120 When Jesus comes to be baptized ("Winchester New") (Listen)
- Same tune as "On Jordan's bank", which is the listen link.

Offertory hymn: #112 Songs of thankfulness and praise ("Salzburg") (Listen)

Hymn during Communion: #208 Let all mortal flesh keep silence ("Picardy") (Listen)
- This gorgeous arrangement in the listen link given comes from Gustav Holst, who also gave us "The Planets", from which his "Jupiter" movement includes the tune used for such hymns as "O God, beyond all praising" and "I vow to thee, my country".

Recessional hymn: #90 Joy to the world ("Antioch")

- How appropriate it is to end Christmas season with a Christmas Carol.  Let us all receive the King, just as John the Baptist did.

This Monday begins the First Week of the Year (aka "Ordinary Time" or "Green Season", or to some, "Boring Time" lol).

Quod scripsi, scripsi!
BMP

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

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