Comments on: The Propers of the Mass: The Neglected Handmaid of the Liturgy http://www.cantemusdomino.net/2008/12/21/the-propers-of-the-mass-the-neglected-handmaid-of-the-liturgy/ “...combines a wide range of information with a certain charming, existential angst.” — Dr. Peter Jeffery, Princeton University Sat, 27 Feb 2010 21:22:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: Singing the Mass versus singing at Mass - the last word? « The Recovering Choir Director - Gregorian Chant & Catholic sacred music http://www.cantemusdomino.net/2008/12/21/the-propers-of-the-mass-the-neglected-handmaid-of-the-liturgy/comment-page-1/#comment-3747 Singing the Mass versus singing at Mass - the last word? « The Recovering Choir Director - Gregorian Chant & Catholic sacred music Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:34:45 +0000 http://www.cantemusdomino.net/?p=1373#comment-3747 [...] yet repeated by analogy in their own music selection.  See also my December 21, 2008 blog post “The propers of the Mass: the neglected handmaid of the liturgy.” [↩]I do not, at this point, wish to address issues of catechesis, worship politics, and the [...] [...] yet repeated by analogy in their own music selection.  See also my December 21, 2008 blog post “The propers of the Mass: the neglected handmaid of the liturgy.” [↩]I do not, at this point, wish to address issues of catechesis, worship politics, and the [...]

]]> By: Chris http://www.cantemusdomino.net/2008/12/21/the-propers-of-the-mass-the-neglected-handmaid-of-the-liturgy/comment-page-1/#comment-3421 Chris Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:55:38 +0000 http://www.cantemusdomino.net/?p=1373#comment-3421 Taking the scriptures assigned for the day's Mass and setting them to music is a very good idea. It's also an opportunity for musicians to work with the priest directly. I'll give an example: On Dec. 11 (Vigil of Our Lady of Guadalupe, though not a Solemnity in the U.S.), the music was a bit disorganized since the regular choir and music director were not involved. It came as something of a surprise to many folks that a few musicians were present and prepared to sing the Mass, all in Spanish vernacular, to be sure, but a sung Mass nevertheless. Our priest had selected a Psalm (also vernacular). I can no longer remember which one precisely, but one of the ladies responsible for preparing the Church for Mass asked me if we planned on singing the Psalm. I said that we could, and she gave me a page with Father's selected Psalm text from the Lectionary. I provided a very simple setting for it, I think in B-minor. Nothing very extravagant (most of my music training is self-teaching in the past five or six years, so I'm kinda green). One of the Guadalupanas came to the choir after Mass to thank everyone because the music "was so beautiful." Now, that Psalm was only a small part of everything else, but it was Father's own selection. And this is no mere assuaging of the ego: I don't quite remember which it was, but I do remember thinking it was a good fit for the Feast day insomuch as the text was concerned. If you think about it, getting the texts right for Mass is (or should be) a big part of a priest's job This goes beyond the Readings and Gospel and Psalm because the Ordinary Form of the Mass has many areas where a Priest may legitimately exercise some choice. This is especially true in the Spanish vernacular. Our current priest is from Colombia, and his recitation of the Eucharistic Prayer is subtly different from that of our previous Priest, who was Mexican and trained in U.S. Seminaries. I am now convinced that the different Latin American Episcopal Conferences have approved slightly different Spanish translations, based on local need. Supporting the Priest's legitimate choice of text is one way to align ourselves with Father and the rest of the liturgical corps. Taking the scriptures assigned for the day’s Mass and setting them to music is a very good idea. It’s also an opportunity for musicians to work with the priest directly. I’ll give an example: On Dec. 11 (Vigil of Our Lady of Guadalupe, though not a Solemnity in the U.S.), the music was a bit disorganized since the regular choir and music director were not involved. It came as something of a surprise to many folks that a few musicians were present and prepared to sing the Mass, all in Spanish vernacular, to be sure, but a sung Mass nevertheless. Our priest had selected a Psalm (also vernacular). I can no longer remember which one precisely, but one of the ladies responsible for preparing the Church for Mass asked me if we planned on singing the Psalm. I said that we could, and she gave me a page with Father’s selected Psalm text from the Lectionary. I provided a very simple setting for it, I think in B-minor. Nothing very extravagant (most of my music training is self-teaching in the past five or six years, so I’m kinda green).

One of the Guadalupanas came to the choir after Mass to thank everyone because the music “was so beautiful.” Now, that Psalm was only a small part of everything else, but it was Father’s own selection. And this is no mere assuaging of the ego: I don’t quite remember which it was, but I do remember thinking it was a good fit for the Feast day insomuch as the text was concerned.

If you think about it, getting the texts right for Mass is (or should be) a big part of a priest’s job This goes beyond the Readings and Gospel and Psalm because the Ordinary Form of the Mass has many areas where a Priest may legitimately exercise some choice. This is especially true in the Spanish vernacular. Our current priest is from Colombia, and his recitation of the Eucharistic Prayer is subtly different from that of our previous Priest, who was Mexican and trained in U.S. Seminaries. I am now convinced that the different Latin American Episcopal Conferences have approved slightly different Spanish translations, based on local need.

Supporting the Priest’s legitimate choice of text is one way to align ourselves with Father and the rest of the liturgical corps.

]]> By: Mary Jane http://www.cantemusdomino.net/2008/12/21/the-propers-of-the-mass-the-neglected-handmaid-of-the-liturgy/comment-page-1/#comment-3370 Mary Jane Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:39:33 +0000 http://www.cantemusdomino.net/?p=1373#comment-3370 Very clear post on the topic - and think of all the time everyone would save by using the propers. No tedious committee meetings, no perusing the suggestions of OCP, NPM, GIA, etc. Time that could be devoted to improving one's singing. Now, just how do we get their hearts and minds on board with the project? One music director, when an assistant (not me) pointed out The American Gradual on the bookshelf, harrumphed in disgust, "Oh, chant! Ugh." Hearts and minds.... Very clear post on the topic – and think of all the time everyone would save by using the propers. No tedious committee meetings, no perusing the suggestions of OCP, NPM, GIA, etc. Time that could be devoted to improving one’s singing.

Now, just how do we get their hearts and minds on board with the project? One music director, when an assistant (not me) pointed out The American Gradual on the bookshelf, harrumphed in disgust, “Oh, chant! Ugh.” Hearts and minds….

]]> By: Gregg the Obscure http://www.cantemusdomino.net/2008/12/21/the-propers-of-the-mass-the-neglected-handmaid-of-the-liturgy/comment-page-1/#comment-3367 Gregg the Obscure Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:33:34 +0000 http://www.cantemusdomino.net/?p=1373#comment-3367 In many cases the texts of the propers help to either tie together or to emphasize significant points made in the readings for the day. As such the propers are a tool for catechesis. This is the foundation of the case I'm going to be making in my parish for the adoption of the propers. In many cases the texts of the propers help to either tie together or to emphasize significant points made in the readings for the day. As such the propers are a tool for catechesis. This is the foundation of the case I’m going to be making in my parish for the adoption of the propers.

]]> By: G http://www.cantemusdomino.net/2008/12/21/the-propers-of-the-mass-the-neglected-handmaid-of-the-liturgy/comment-page-1/#comment-3357 G Mon, 22 Dec 2008 15:10:45 +0000 http://www.cantemusdomino.net/?p=1373#comment-3357 Without endorsing the Four Hymn Sandwich, hymn choices can be a stepping stone on our path back to the propers. Someone criticized a hymn I had programmed during Eastertide, as "not an Easter song" and when i showed her what a good match it was for the proper I gave her something to think about (this is a church musician who didn't know of the existence of propers.) Unfortunately, a similar encounter with a priest did not go so well, his answer was I don't care, we're going to sing "Alleluia! Alleluia! Let the Holy Anthem Rise." Oh well, ya win some, ya lose some... (Save the Liturgy, Save the World) Without endorsing the Four Hymn Sandwich, hymn choices can be a stepping stone on our path back to the propers.
Someone criticized a hymn I had programmed during Eastertide, as “not an Easter song” and when i showed her what a good match it was for the proper I gave her something to think about (this is a church musician who didn’t know of the existence of propers.)
Unfortunately, a similar encounter with a priest did not go so well, his answer was I don’t care, we’re going to sing “Alleluia! Alleluia! Let the Holy Anthem Rise.”
Oh well, ya win some, ya lose some…

(Save the Liturgy, Save the World)

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