Ritual notes.

Hmm, can't beleive this is my second to last Ritual Notes for a year.

Anyway, it was the solemn profession of Brs. James and Scott, at Our Lady Of Lourdes church, at 7:30 PM.

Music:

Prelude: Prelude and fugue in D, BWV 532

Entrance: Some sort of early baroque sounding march alternating between the brass quintet and the organ

Proper antiphon, By all Your Saints Still Striving (St.Theodolph- Yeah, Where's my King's Lynn, people?)

Mass: Missa de Angelis

Psalm: Mode III chant

Alleluia: Festival alleluia (Descant on last repetition)

Offertory: Tu Es Petrus, M. Haller)

Mysterium Fidei: Mortem tuam, mode Mode I

Communion:

Ecce Quam Bonum, Montani

Mother of Mercy, Day by Day

Antiphon to Our Lady: Salve Regina (Chant)

Recessional: O God Beyond All Praising (Thaxted, Richard Proulx's setting with choir only 3rd verse, descant last verse)

Postlude: Another organ and brass piece, this one was late baroque. Reminded me quite a bit of Handel.

There were far too many clergy for me to name them all, but the celebrant was Fr. Francesco Poda,secretary to the Provincial of the Roman Province, there were two deacons who I have seen at the seminary,quite a few priests from the seminary, and many of the priests and brothers from the other houses in the U.S. They all, with the altar servers in choro filled up the first five rows of pews on the east side of the church*.

There was a thurifer and boat-bearer, crucifer, two acolytes, six torch bearers, two M.C.s, and all the rest if the servers. The thurifer and crucifer wore laced surplices, and the other M.C. (One of the older altar servers) wore one of those sheer type lace surplices that became popular in the 30's and 40's.

All the priests seemed to be wearing matching red vestments, the same set that Lourdes usually uses on Good Friday, and the celebrant and two deacons wore albs edged with lace. (The same ones Lourdes uses at the easter vigil.)The two to be professed wore over their habits the white mantle which is worn on solemn occasions under the capuche.

The procession went from the rectory porch around to the church, and when they entered the church, the brass quintet played the march, then the choir sang the hymn. There were some short remarks before the act of penitence and the kyrie by Fr.James.

After the readings, the alleluia and verse were sung by the choir, and the gospel procesison lined up at the foot of the altar. There was a bit of time as the verse was long. The gospel book was incensed, and then the gospel read. After the gospel, the second M.C. took a chair to the footpace of the altar, and kneeling there, held a microphone while an acolyte held the book.Each was called, and then an explanation was given to them, after which they made known their intention to offer themselves forever to God in the order. Fr. Podda gave the homily. After the homily came the rite of profession. Fr. Podda, the two deacons, and the M.C. went to the footpace of the altar again,and the two to be professed stood outside the sanctuary the interrogation and the litany of the saints followed.

During the litany of the saints, all knelt except for the two to be professed, who lay prostrate on the floor outside the sanctuary with their hoods raised to cover the head.After the litany of the saints, there was a collect, and the two each read the profession formula, Fr, Podda Ratifying it. They each placed the Book of Profession on the altar and signed it, as did Fr.Podda and Fr.Matthew. Then the celebrant, the two deacons, and the M.C. went to the footpace of the altar again, and the two who had just made profession knelt on the floor, each holding a lighted candle.The celebrant said the prayer of blessing on consecration over them, and then they were given the signs of presfession with an admonishment after each. (The Breviary, the Rule and Constitutions of the order, and an image of Our Lady, foundress and protectress of the order.)After which, Fr.Podda confirmed them as members of the order, and all the brothers and priests present gave them the sign of peace.

The offertory and canon proceeded as usual. Only four priests concelebrated at the altar, the rest stayed in the pews.The host and chalice were incensed at the consecration, and at the amen, the servers took the torches and incense back to the sacristy.

Communion was gievn to the priests first who came into the sanctuary to take the chalice and receive the host. Afterward, the sanctuary gates were closed and everyone else received kneeling, at the rail. A solemn blessing was given rather than the simple blessing. At the end, there were cake and cookies in the parish hall.

Ritual Notes.

Not much to comment on. Sadly, our choir director was out of own, so no choral music.

Still the music was lovely: Veni Creator, Come Holy Ghost, Come down o Love Divine, and some nice pieces by Bach to boot. (The second movement from the first organ trio sonata- one of my favourites, (BWV 525. We got the first and third movement last Sunday) and Bach's hymn-prelude on Veni Creator Spiritus. (Bwv 667)

Ritual Notes, Palm Sunday.

(A photo from last year's procession)
Rather than the 12:15 mass, there was an 11:30 solemn mass sung. There were two acolytes, a crucifer, a thurifer and boat-bearer, and all the rest of the servers in choro.One of the older servers has finally 'graduated', if that's the right word, from senior server to Master of ceremonies. He was in black cassock and lace surplice. He did an excellent job, by the way. Nice warm, sunny weather meant that the procession was outdoors as usual.

The blessing of the palms took place on the rectory porch. Six of the men of the choir sang an English adaptation of the chant 'Hosanna Filio David' (From the excellent book, By Flowing Waters) at the blessing of the palms. After the blessing of the palms and the reading of the gospel, the procession went from the rectory around the corner to the church, while the aforementioned mini-schola sang the chant 'Pueri Hebraeorum..portantes' in English with verses of psalm 24 to tone 2d. When the celebrant entered the church, 'All Glory Laud and Honour' was sung while he changed from a red cope to a red gothic chasuble and added the maniple.
This mass was celebrated ad orientem, so the incensing of the altar took place facing the reredos rather than the people. The main altar and side altars weren't decorated with palms alone, but also with olive branches. The collect was sung, and the readings read. The psalm was psalm 21. sung to an adaptation of the first psalm tone with an antiphon in the same mode.

The passion was read, with the celebrant taking the part of Christ, and two readers taking the part of the evangelist and the other parts. The congregation took the part of the crowd. And it was wonderful to see that no one that I could see sat down during the passion.The sermon was mercifully short.

After the prayers of the faithful, the altar was prepared in silence. Then the offertory hymn was My song is Love Unknown, sung to Love Unknown. The first verse was sung by the sopranos and altos, the second by the tenors and basses, the third in harmony,accompanied, the fourth in harmony accompanied, the fifth by sopranos and altos only, the sixth in harmony and the seventh in unison except with a descant and the contra bourdon 32' and 16' Pousaune in the pedal of the organ. After the celebrant in incensed, the M.C. was in incensed, and then the people.

The super oblata and preface were sung, with Sanctus I sung in Latin, with six torchbearers and a thurifer coming for the elevation.The Roman canon was used, and three bell rings at the elevations. The Per ipsum and Our Father were sung, and the peace given. Agnus Dei I was sung.During communion, there was a psalm with the communion antiphon, but I don't remember what the psalm was.

After the ablutions, the choir sang the motet Christus factus est pro nobis, by Felice Anerio .The post-communion prayer was sung, and afterwards, the prayer over the people and the blessing. The Ite was also sung. The recessional was O Sacred Head Surrounded, and the postlude was the prelude from BWV 549

So I've decided,

That instead of doing a really deep spiritual passage as a reflection daily for you guys, I'll just go the easy way and put a good translation of the day's collect and some edifying artwork for you.

That, and I've decided to go back to ritual notes. I'm sure there's someone out there who misses hearing about the liturgical doings of Our Lady of Lourdes,though I can't figure out who or why.

TOMORROW NIGHT,

The solemnity of the patronal feast day of the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, Overbrook, West Philly.

Procession and high mass at 7:00 PM.

Music:
Hymn in procession: Immaculate Mary, (Lourdes Hymn, Arr. by Richard Proulx)
Palestrina, Missa Brevis
Palestrina, Sicut Cervus
Josef Rheinberger, Ave Maria
Recessional: Hail, all Hail, Great Queen of Heaven! (Pone luctum)
Postlude: Fantasia in G major, BWV 572

THIS.

I want to go to this.

Unfortunately,the person I hoped to give me a ride is'nt going to be able to go anymore, so I'm stuck. *Sigh* I was looking forward to it.
But even if I'm not going, anyone who's nearby, GO. Go to this. I'm hoping that maybe some day in the future, there would be an Ordinariate parish in Philadelphia. And if, God willing, there is one some day, I'd do my best to help them. I don't usually say it, because it scandalises people, but even though I'm here in Rome, a big part of me is still on the other side of the Thames.
(Hence it is that more website show up on my computer when you type in "Anglo" in the address bar than with any other terms. Even more than "Goog"

Ritual Notes.

(This was the 12:15 English Mass)
Music:
Procession: Our Lady of Mercy, sweet and pure
Mass setting (Minus gloria and agnus dei) A community mass, Richard Proulx
Gloria: mass in b flat 'Orgelmesse', F.J. Haydn.
Agnus dei: Holy Cross mass, David Isele
Sequence: Plaudat Agmen Captivorum, mode VII
Alleluia Ave Maria, mode I
Creed: Credo III
Offertory: Ave, verum corpus, W.A.Mozart
Hymn:Mother of Mercy, day by day
Communion:
Hymn:Maria, mater gratiae
Motet: Ave Maria, Jacques Arcadelt
Recessional: This is the feast of victory
Postlude: Dialogue sur les Grandes Joux, Clerambault (Yes, really!)


Minus the rain, today was an excellent day. Besides being Mercy Day, the external solemnity of the feast of Our Lady of Mercy,the mass celebrated at the parish was wonderful. In a way, and I mean this as an extreme compliment, it seemed almost like an anglo-catholic rather than Roman Catholic mass.

Yours truly ended up in the procession rather than in the choir today, because I'm one of the postulants, and all the postulants, priests, and brothers were in the procession. We got the 'Bar Song' during the procession. (I call that hymn the Bar Song because, despite having lovely lyrics, it was written in the 30's, and the music relfects that. It sounds rather like an old bar song than a hymn to Our Lady, but the parishioners love it and they refuse to sing the text to any other tune. (And yes, that means they've tried.) There were a crucifer and two acolytes, thurifer, and four torches at the elevation.
The vestments were the gold gothic set with the tudor rose pattern that gets taken out on feast days (It's the one used at 40 hours and the one that's always used at the Easter vigil) The M.C. wore a surplice made entirely of lace (As in, no actual fabric. And it was'nt the sort that's made out of embroidered nylon, the kind that was popular in the 1940's. This is completely made of knit lace, which if it was'nt/is'nt an abuse, it ought to be.*)

The mass was celebrated ad orientem as well. The opening versicles of the mass were sung. rather than simply being said, and all the responses and prayers (including the final blessing and dismissal) were sung.As noted above, the Mercedarians have special sequences for the feast of Our holy Father, S.Peter Nolasco, and Our holy Mother and foundress, Our Lady of Mercy.
After the sermon (A good rousing one on secularism, islamic extremism, and the power and intercession of Our Lady, as well as the importance of devotion to her (The rosary, scapular, chaplets and novenas, etc.) the brothers renewed their vows, and then the creed was sung.

At the offertory, the missal was removed from the altar during the incensation, which is is now the common practice. Then, the celebrant, concelebrants,M.C., and then the people were incensed. At the sanctus, the thurifer and torchbearers came into the sanctuary, genuflected, and knelt. The sacred host and the chalice were incensed at the elevation, and the torchbearers and thurifer left after the amen at the end of the canon. (The Roman Canon was used.)

Communion was given standing, but with the M.C. and one of the taller servers holding the communion patens for the people's communion.

At the end of mass, we all recessed to the narthex for the versicle, response and blessing. ('Prosit', etc.) The organist then played Clerambault's lovely dialogue, which is an od coincidence. (I was just talking about it not too long ago.) It was lovely to hear the 16' pedal reeds in use with the 32' contre Bourdonne. It's a lovely sound, and gets you the sound of the 32' reeds but without the shaking of the windows near the organ loft.

Pretzels and water ice were in the parish hall after mass.

Ritual Notes. (Corpus Christi)

 (A photo of the procession form a few years ago.)

Music:

Entrance: Alleluia!, sing to Jesus!

Mass setting (Except gloria) Missa de angelis.

Gloria: Missa Secunda, Hans Leo Hassler

Alleluia: Mode 7, graduale simplex.

Credo: Credo III

Offertory: Ave verum corpus,W.A.Mozart,O food of exiles lowly. (Innsbruck.)

Communion: Proper chant, O sacrum convivium, Palestrina

During the procession:

Of the Glorious Body Telling

Fairest Lord Jesus

As thou at thy first eucharist didst pray

To Jesus Christ our sovereign king

Soul of my Saviour

Pange lingua gloriosi

Recessional: Holy God, we praise thy name! (Grosser Gott)

Today was an interesting day. And by 'interesting', I mean "It was nearly 100 degrees and we still did an outdoor procession in the blazing hot sun."

Things went well considering the circumstances. Nine servers who I was counting on didn't show up, which meant some improvising. We ended up with :Crucifer, two acolytes, thurifer, second thurifer, and four torchbearers.
The opening procession went the long way from the sacristy to the sanctuary . I expected the mass to be in English, facing the people, but it was said in Latin, ad orientem. After the collect, the readings (this year is always my favourite year of the lectionary cycle for Corpus Christi.) and the psalm, the sequence Lauda Sion was sung, and then the alleluia.Everything else proceeded as we normally do at solemn mass, including communion at the altar rail. After communion, the torchbearers went to the sacristy. After the ablutions, the thurifers went to the sacristy. After the postcommunion prayer was sung, the celebrant changed to a cope and stole, the torchbearers knelt at the communion rail, and the thurifers had incense laid on and blessed. The celebrant intoned the 'Pange Lingua', and the procession went out and around the neighborhood, with the blessed sacrament under the canopy and two girls scattering rose petals before it. There were three benediction stations, and a fourth at the church.It was kind of fun that the procession passed Holy Cross Baptist church, where some close friends of my family attend. Quite a few of the people stood outside and watched the procession, some took photos. 

Now, thanks to the Wonderful city of Philadelphia, mostly thanks to PGW, there are no corners on any of the blocks near the church. They've been dug up, and the sidewalks cordoned off. Which meant that after the benediction station at the parish school, we had a some trouble trying to get back to the church. After the final benediction and the recessional, I was too busy trying to remove the two extra layers of clothing that the cassock and surplice make to listen to postlude, but I did hear the chamades in the organ chorus and the 32' Double Ophicleide.

Ritual Notes.

Music:

Gradual: Christus Factus est, Felice Anerio

Tract:Psalm 33, chanted in English to a Gregorian tone, alternating between the men and women of the choir.

Passion: Roman chant, adapted to English

Veneration of the cross: Reproaches, Vittoria. Crux Fidelis/Pange Lingua...Certaminis, Roman Gradual.

Procession of the Blessed Sacrament: O crux Ave, G.P. Da Palestrina

Communion: Hymn: The Royal Banner Forward Go, Adoramus te Christe, Dubois.

For Good Friday.There were three servers , the M.C., and three priests in choir, all wearing plain surplices.The celebrant wore the same roman chasuble, stole and maniple as on Palm Sunday. After the prostration, the collect was said, and then the readings read by a reader. After the gradual and tract, the passion was chanted to the traditional Roman tones by the Celebrant (taking the part of Christ) and two men from the choir. The final verses were sung to the traditional 'burial tone'. The homily was given by Fr.Brennan, one of the priests who helps out at the parish.(He also helps by celebrating the tridentine low mass on Sundays.)

After the sermon, the solemn collects were sung by the celebrant in a ferial tone, with everyone kneeling or standing as appropriate.Afterward, the cross was brought to the sanctuary by one of the servers, while the other two held candles. The celebrant sang the invitation "This is the wood of the cross" three times, in successively higher tones as he uncovered the cross,and all genuflected toward it. The servers took the cross to the footpace of the altar.The celebrant then removed his shoes and chasuble, and after genuflecting three times, venerated the cross. The three priests in choir came into the sanctuary and after genuflecting, venerated it as well.Then the cross was taken to the the sanctuary gates and venerated by the people. Almost everyone (Really, there were only two exceptions) venerated it by genuflecting and then kneeling and kissing the cross. While this happened,two of the brothers covered the altar with an altar cloth and put the missal on it.

The servers, M.C. and priest went to the altar of repose to bring the Blessed Sacrament to the altar. After putting on the humeral veil, the celebrant carried the Blessed Sacrament in procession to the altar.The servers put the two candles on the altar. The Our Father was sung, and after the celebrant's communion, communion was given at the altar rail by the celebrant and one of the assisting priests.After the purification of the vessels and the priests' hands, the postcommunion was sung, and then the prayer over the people. The servers and M.C. went to the sacristy by the short route, and the parish's relics of the True Cross and the Crown of Thorns were available for veneration at the altar rail.Most people came and knelt down to kiss the relics.

Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Ritual Notes.

For Maundy Thursday.

Music:

Kyrie and gloria: Community Mass, R.Proulx.

Psalm:Gregorian psalm tone, alternating between male and female voices of the choir.

Tract: Set to Kyrie Orbis Factor.

Antiphons at the maundy: Antiphons from the Roman Gradual. (Postquam surrexit Dominus,  Domine,tu mihi lavas pedes,  Si ego Dominus, In hoc cognoscet omnes,  Mandatum novum da nobis.) Antiphons, choral setting by Gregory A.Glenn.

Offertory: Ubi Caritas, Maurice Durufle. Hymn: Lord,Who at Thy First Eucharist Didst Pray. (Unde et Memores)

Sanctus: Missa Iubilate Deo

Agnus Dei: Holy Cross Mass, David Isele.

Communion: Proper antiphon and psalm, adapted to English. Hymn: O Food of Exiles lowly. (Innsbruck)

Procession to the altar of repose: Pange Lingua Gloriosi, Roman Gradual.

There were nine servers: Crucifer and two acolytes, thurifer and boat-bearer, and four torches. Besides the celebrant, there were four concelebrants (all wearing birettas) and the M.C., the 12 'apostles', five Bernadettes (from the parish girls' society) some Knights of Columbus,one of the Knights of Malta, and the brothers who weren't serving.

This mass was celebrated Ad orientem, and the altar was incensed* facing that direction.After the sign of the cross, before the confiteor and kyrie,the bernadettes presented flowers to all the priests present.The collects was sung, and the mass went on as usual. At the gloria, the organist played a short but very nice fanfare, and bells were rung by two alternating servers on opposite sides of the sanctuary.Before the tract, incense was blessed at the sedilia, and the procession went lined up with the homilist, who also proclaimed the gospel. At the maundy, the 12 men who had their feet washed were led by one of the brothers, the celebrant having removed his chasuble.After the intercessions, the celebrant explained why the priest would be facing ad orientem, and he also explained that communion would be given at the altar rail.All were given the option to receive standing or kneeling, and to receive on the hand on on the tongue, both according to their preference.

At the offertory, the holy oils were brought up by the bernadettes and put into the aumbry in the side wall of the sanctuary by the celebrant and the M.C. The missal was removed from the altar during the incensation, as is now the custom at high masses, and after the celebrant was incensed, the concelebrating priests were incensed, followed by the M.C. and the people.The sanctuary gates were closed at the orate fratres.The super oblata, sursum corda and preface were sung, and the Roman Canon was used.At the elevations, the Blessed Sacrament was incensed from the side pf the bottom step, and the M.C. lifted the celebrant's chasuble.The crotalus replaced the bells.

After the per ipsum was sung,the Our Father was sung.Before the people's communion, the crotalus once again replaced the bells. Communion was given at the rail, with the M.C. holding one paten and a server the other.The vast majority of the people seem to have knelt anyway, despite the fact that they were given the option to stand.Most of those who knelt also received communion on the tongue, rather than the hand.

After the ablutions, the ciborium was veiled and the missal and chalice removed from the altar.After the post-communion prayer was sung,the celebrant changed from a white chasuble to a gold cope. Incense was blessed again, and the Blessed Sacrament incensed before the procession.The celebrant received the humeral veil from the M.C., and the torchbearers with their torches lined up with everyone who took part in the short procession from the sacristy before mass.The procession made a circuit around the church before going to the altar of repose, where the veiled urn was surrounded by a great many candles and flowers.After the Blessed Sacrament was incensed again, all genuflected and went to the sacristy.

The altars of the church were all stripped while the men of the choir chanted psalm 22 in latin, recto tono, with the antiphon diviserunt sibi.

The watch continued to midnight, and all departed in silence.

Photos: 1,2,3,4,5

Ritual Notes. (Palm Sunday)*Edited*

Well, things were much better than I expected. This was the 12:15 English mass, where the solemn procession always takes place. It was downcast and chilly, and there was a light drizzle earlier, but the procession went on. There were two acolytes, a crucifer, a thurifer and boat-bearer, and two servers in choro. Some of the servers, who are also members of the Archdiocesan Boychoir are away in spain, which shortens our numbers a bit.The others, I guess they have no excuse unless they thought the rainy weather meant that the procession would be canceled.

The blessing of the palms took place on the rectory porch. Five of the men of the choir sang an English adaptation of the chant 'Hosanna Filio David' (From the excellent book, By Flowing Waters)at the blessing of the palms. After the blessing of the palms and the reading of the gospel, the procession went from the rectory around the corner to the church, while the aforementioned mini-schola sang the chant 'Pueri Hebraeorum..portantes' in English with verses of psalm 24 to tone 2d. When the celebrant entered the church, 'All Glory Laud and Honour' was sung while he changed from a red cope to a red roman chasuble, and added the maniple.
This mass was celebrated ad orientem, so the incensing of the altar took place facing the reredos rather than the people. The main altar and side altars weren't decorated with palms alone, but also with olive branches.The collect was sung, and the readings read. The psalm was psalm 21. The passion was read, with the celebrant taking the part of Christ, and two readers taking the part of the evangelist and the other parts. The congregation took the part of the crowd. And it was wonderful to see that no one that I could see sat down during the passion.The sermon was mercifully short.

After the prayers of the faithful, the altar was preprared while the organist improvised on the tune Passion Chorale. Then the offertory hymn was My song is Love Unknown, sung to Love Unknown. The first verse was sung by the sopranos and altos, the second by all together, the third by the tenors and basses, the fourth in harmony,unaccompanied, the fifth all together, and the sixth in harmony with a descant and the contra bourdon 32' in the pedal of the organ. It seems now that at high mass, after the celebrant in incensed, the M.C. also in incensed, and then the people, which is nice.
The super oblata and preface were sung, with Sanctus I sung in Latin.The Roman canon was used, and three bell rings at the elevations. The Per ipsum and Our Father were sung, and the peace given. Agnus Dei I was sung.During communion, there was a psalm with the communion antiphon, but I don't remember what the psalm was.
After the ablutions, the choir sang the motet Christus factus est pro nobis, by Felice Anerio .The post-communion prayer was sung, and afterwards, the prayer over the people and the blessing. The Ite was also sung. The recessional was 'Lift High the Cross', and the postlude was the prelude from BWV 549

Photos from Patrick, the postulant with the Mercedarians: 1, 2, 3.
4,5, 7,

Ritual Notes.

The External Solemnity of Our Lady of Lourdes*. 10:30 mass.

Three servers (Thurifer and two acolytes) and master of ceremonies. The chasuble from the high mass set from Thursday was worn by Fr., with the maniple.The entrance hymn was "hail, all hail great queen of heaven" The mass setting was 'De Angelis' from the Kyriale, with credo III. After the hymn, at the incensation of the altar, the introit Vidi civitatem was sung. At the responsorial psalm, the response was set to the tone of the chant 'Ave Maria'. At the offertory, after the proper chant Ave Maria','Mary, how lovely the light of thy glory' was sung. The preface was the preface of the immaculate conception, with a semi-silent canon again. At communion, the antiphon 'Visitasti terram' was sung with the verses of psalm 66, Deus misereatur nostri. The communion hymn was O Sanctissima. After the postcommunion and blessing,Immaculate Mary was sung as the recessional. I think the postlude was BWV 531. I'm not totally sure.

*Or Sunday in the octave for those of us who kinda-sorta use the pre-55 set of octaves.

Ritual Notes.

The Feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes.

This was a solemn high mass using the '62 Roman Missal, with all the stops. (Polyphonic mass setting, all the servers in attendance, six torch bearers, etc.

The church was dark, except for the sanctuary. The people had lighted candles.At the entrance to the sanctuary, we went the short way to the sanctuary. After the 'Procedamus in pace' and response, we went around the church, the same way as last year, but with a station,versicle and collect at the shrine of Our Lady. (The hymn being 'Immaculate Mary'.) bMy boat bearer kept going with the acolytes when I stopped at the altar, and I tried to catch up with him, but he was too far away. After the incensation of the image, and the presentation of a very nice bouquet of roses, the procession continued. The mass setting was the choir's favorite setting* with credo III. Jacque Arcadelt's Ave Maria at the offertory, after the proper chant, and some organ improvisations. I messed up the incensation of the M.C. at the offertory.At communion, the proper chant 'Visitasti terram' was sung with the verses of psalm 66, then some organ improvisations, followed by the hymn 'O Sanctissima'. More improvisations during the last gospel, and the recessional hymn was a rousing rendition of "Hail, all hail great Queen of Heaven!" with full organ on the last verse. I forget what the postlude was. No reception after mass because of the snow.
*I kind of wish that they would use the Palestrina Missa Brevis from time to time like they used to, but now they only use parts of it maybe once a year.

Heads up!

February 11, the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, there's a procession and Solemn High mass at 7:30. I was talking to Br.David about it this morning, and he told me about they twice asked Canon Reid if they could borrow some vestments from St.Clem's (Once for midnight mass, and the second time for this patronal feast day) Both times, the vestry said no. Now they're trying Good Shepherd,Rosemont. Since I know he'll be reading this eventually, I would suggest St.Mark's as well. They have quite a few high quality gothic sets. Now, If they're very polite and nice, I hope they can borrow the Comper high mass set. I love Comper's work, and I especially love that set. There's regretably very little of it in the U.S. But yeah, I hope they can get it.

Ritual Notes. (II Sunday of the Year)

Or Per Annum if you wish. Anything by the ghastly phrase 'Ordinary Time'*

The only things I'll note are:

Hey you guys who were supposed to serve mass with me: Thanks for not showing up and not giving me a call first. I appreciate how you all took time out of your day to not tell me you weren't coming.

The music was all of my favorite music for Ordinary Sundays*:"Praise, my Soul, the King of Heaven" (Lauda Anima) as the entrance, Richard Proulx's 'A Community Mass',"Father, we Thank Thee who Hast Planted" (Rendez a Dieu) at the offertory, part of the fugue from BWV532 (Played on soft stops) at communion, and "Now Thank we All Our God"(Nun Danket) as the recessional. Bach's 'St.Anne' fugue as the postlude.

And it's probably wrong, but I'm only reciting lauds and vespers today, not singing them. I had everything planned for my vesperal 'Per Annum', but then I realised there's no paper and neither Walgreens nor Rite aid have the kind I need.

Happy Epiphany!

I just got back from the missa cantata. It wasn't what I expected. I figured it'd be low key: a cantor, three servers, M.C and celebrant, and that's it. There were four servers, some priests in choro, and the choir sang the Missa Secunda by Hassler in it's entirety again. Victoria's O Magnum Mysterium at the offertory and his Ave Maria as the communion anthem. The proper communion antiphon was sung with psalm verses again. I forget which publication it is that has the psalm verses for the introit and communion antiphons. I don't think it's the Graduale Triplex. I was conscripted into helping take up the collection, and missed most of the offertory. After mass, the recessional/postlude was the Gravement from BWV 572. Veneration of the bambino at the altar rail after mass. Same vestments as in the picture I posted for the announcement.

One qualm: I really wish that the booklets would print the directions for the postures at high mass. I did the low mass ones, because that's what we use and it's our default, but others don't know that.

One more qualm:
Is Christmas really technically over? We're only halfay through the octave in the new calendar, so we've got till the octave day on Sunday, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord to celebrate Christmas. Or, you could wait till the purification.

Ritual Notes.

This is midnight mass and Christmas day.

Midnight:
There were less poinsettias than last year, and I could see the relics among them on the high altar.There were carols before mass (Including my two favorites: "See Amid the Winter's snow", Away in A Manger" sung to 'cradle song', and "Of the Father's Love Begotten".) The vestments were the same set as last year. (The set identical to this one), the cope of which set was worn during the procession.The creche was blessed and a short few minutes of prayer said before it before the procession. The hymn was "Hark! the herald angels sing", with some glorious organ improvisations before and after the last verse. versicle and collect at the high altar, then the ministers put on their maniples, the celebrant his chasuble, and mass began.

I just want to say that I almost died every time the choir sang a portion of the mass. The gloria and the benedictus were the best. (And it was the first time I've ever heard the long version of the gloria, either in life or a recording. And one more comment: How exactly does Haydyn define "Brevis"? The sanctus and benedictus required the priest to wait before continuing the mass, I'll give him that the Kyrie was a good length, but he more than made up for it.)

Going on:

Fr.Joseph gave the homily, and sat in choir with someone else who I've seen around,but don't know.At the offertory, 'Adeste,Fideles" was sung after the offertory antiphon, and the offertory was taken up at the 'orate,fratres'.There were six red torchlights at the consecration. Fr.Joseph helped to give communion, so it went faster than last year.Mozart's "Laudate dominum" and "O magnum mysterium".The blessing was sung, and the recessional was "Joy to the world". The postlude was one of Bach's preludes on "In dulci Iubilo" (There are three, and I don't know which BWV number if was yet.)
I only have one very selfish and Wrong comment: The church was full, and with all the people inside,(Ergo,soft surfaces) the acoustics got deadened. So that lovely reverb we usually get to shape the choral and organ music and make it sound ethereal was gone.

That said, not only was it great, but it was shorter than last year by at least 15-20 minutes, even with a Haydyn mass setting.)

Christmas day:

Not as many people as at last night. In fact, most of the servers did'nt come. The mass was still nice though: The chasuble stole, and maniple from last night's set, and the M.C. wore a surplice matching the celebrant's alb.The processional was the same as from last night, all the propers were sung (No cutting of the introit this year) the mass setting was "de angelis" with credo III .The responsorial psalm was okay I guess, but the alleluia was great. At communion (Of the Father's Love Begotten" was sung after the proper antiphon and psalm. The recessional and postlude were the same as last night.

Ritual Notes. (I+II Sundays of Advent)

I forgot to do last Sunday's report.

Anyway, There were four servers,celebrant and M.C. No entrance hymn, instead, the antiphon 'Ad te levavi" from the graduale simplex was sung during the procession and incensation.(The altar was again incensed as if it were'nt free-standing.) The mass setting was the one on the Kyriale appointed for Advent and Lent, but the Kyrie was 'de angelis'. The alleluia was the familiar triple version from the Liber Cantualis. I was surprised that the credo (Credo III) was sung. I though we did'nt do that, but now with it sung,we're only one ceremony short of a full high mass. Francis Xzavier Witt's setting of the proper offertory, "Ad te levavi" was sung during the offertory, followed by the hymn "Sleepers, wake".
At communion, the antiphon and psalm from the graduale simplex were sung, followed by ''Cast thy burden upon the Lord," Felix Mendelssohn.
The recessional was "When the king shall come again."

Advent II.

Five servers were scheduled, and one came. So You can guess who ended up serving.
The prelude was "Wachet Auf'', BWV 645
. All the chants were taken from the simle gradual.The vestments were violet with violet, gold, and rose orphreys, and a maniple was worn. The credo was sung again, and after the intercessions, hay and straw for people's creches were blessed. At the offertory, after the proper chant, "Sleepers, wake " was sung again. at commuion, after the proper chant, 'Veni, veni Emmanuel" was sung. One of the brothers made an announcement about his final vows next Saturday evening at 4:00 pm, and after the blessing, "On Jordan's Bank, the Baptist's cry" was sung. The postlude was BWV 543.

Ritual Notes. (Christ the King.)

They can now say that their maxim is "Libretto by Bugnini, ceremonial by Fortescue."

They have a new big thurible. It's not the brass,enamel-encrusted,50-pound monster that comes out five times a year, but something lighter. All the candles were lit.
There were six servers: Crucifer, acolytes, thurifer, and boat bearer, and an extra server who came but wasn't supposed to. And the chasuble was this one.
There wasn't an entrance hymn, instead , Charpentier's "Prelude to the Te Deum" was played during the procession. The introit, Dignus est Agnus was sung suring the incensation of the altar, which had genuflections rather than bowing, and altar was'nt walked around. The mass setting was "De Angelis", except for the gloria which was Hassler's.
We sat during the gloria, as (At least, as I've been told) They do at Westminster Cathedral.
At the offertory,the offertory chant was sung, followed by Groller's "O Sacrum Convivium", and the hymn "The King of Love my Shepherd Is." The altar was incensed in the same way, and then the priest and the people, as we've been doing this year.
Because of time restraints (I suppose), from the Te igitur to the communicantes, part of the canon was said quietly under the sanctus, but the rest was said aloud.
The communion antiphon was from the Graduale, but with a psalm sung and the antiphon actually used as an antiphon. The song of praise was the popular choral version of the "Christus Vincit", with verses by the men of the choir. When the antiphon was first sung, it was by the women of the choir on simple diapasons. It was sung again chorally Organo Pleno, with the 16' Pousaune and 32' Contre Bourdone in the pedal.
The dedication of the human race to Christ the King was recited after mass,and the recessional was "Crown him with many crowns" with the last verse sung chorally and the 32' Contre Bombarde shaking the foundations and walls.
The postlude was BWV 541.
All in all, great work, all of it.

Ritual Notes.

Solemn vespers and benediction .
There were a lot of clergy in procession this year. Not as may as last year, as I did'nt see any of our auxiliary bishops, and we were short a few servers. (Do they not know what "all servers are required to attend" means?)
Well, we had a crucifer, two taperers, a thurifer, a second thurifer, four torches, and three 'in choro', four Bernadettes, the officiant, two deacons, and an MC. The procession started at the rectory porch and went around the corner to the church. When we entered the church, the organ (On tutti! Lovely 32' tomba and 32 contre-pousaune!) along with a brass ensemble and timpani played Charpentier's Te Deum Prelude. All knelt while the blessed sacrament was incensed.

Everything was sung except the preces , chapter, and homily. The office hymn was "Alleluia, Sing to Jesus". One of my ten favorite hymns without a doubt, especially the way it was played.
The antiphons and psalms of second vespers of the blessed sacrament were taken from 'By Flowing Waters" I would've reccomended the Mundelein Psalter, if only because they adapt from the Liber Usualis. Instead of the office responsory, the choir sang Willan's "O Sacred Feast"
The homily was perfect! I'll never forget it. I'll always remeber it when I receive communion. The magnificat was sung , and the altar and blessed sacrament incensed, genuflecting when passing the blessed sacrament. One of the deacons led the preces, and the Pater as sung.

Afterward, the torchbearers came and knelt in the sanctuary, the second thurifer had incense blessed, and the Blessed Sacrament was incensed again. Then followed the procession (With one of the Knights of Malta holding the ombrellino.) While all sang the Pange Lingua. The blessed sacrament was incensed while we sang the tantum ergo, and benediction followed. After the divine praises, the blessed sacrament was reposed for a final time, and everyone sang "O God Beyond all Praising" which of course means we got to use "Thaxted". Choir alone on verse two, and choral descant on the final verse.
I don't remeber what the postlude was.