The Recovering Choir Director

Today for the first time ever, I was asked to provide input on music for a Confirmation Mass. This particular Mass is to be held at St. Ignatius on May 8, 2010.

Not knowing if there was music specifically for this Mass, I referred to the 1974 Graduale Romanum. Sure enough, on page 644 one can find a list of chants for the Confirmation Mass.^[1]

Below are the English translations of these antiphons as found in the Gregorian Missal for Sundays, their Latin texts, Scriptural citations, and the other times during the Ordinary-Form liturgical year these chants are prescribed.

Introit/Entrance chant:

• Antiphon, Ezekiel 36: 23, 24, 25, 26: When I vindicate my holiness through you, I will gather you from all lands, and I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be cleansed from all your filthiness; and I will give you a new Spirit. (Dum sanctificátus fúero in vobis, congregábo vos de univérsis terris: et effúndam super vos aquam mundam, et mundabímini ab ómnibus inquinaméntis vestris: et dabo vobis spíritum novum.) Verses: any number of verses from Psalm 34(33) — “I will bless the Lord at all times,” with minor doxology (Glory Be/Gloria Patri) towards the conclusion of the procession and incensing of the altar.^[2]
• Antiphon, cf. Romans 5:5: The charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, alleluia, by the dwelling of his Spirit in us, alleluia, alleluia. (Caritas Dei diffusa est in cordibus nostris, alleluia: per inhabitem Spiritum eius in nobis, alleluia, alleluia.) Verses: any number of verses from Psalm 103(102) — “Bless the Lord, O my soul,” with minor doxology as above.^[3]

Gradual/chant between the readings:^[4]

• Antiphon, Psalm 33(32):12: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; the people whom he has chosen as his inheritance. (Beata gens cuius est Dominus Deus eorum; populus, quem elegit Dominus in hereditatem sibi.) Verse, Psalm 33(32):6: By the Word of the Lord the heavens were established, and all the power therein by the Spirit of his mouth. (Verbo Domini caeli firmati sunt: et spiritu oris eius omnis virtus eorum.)^[5]

Alleluia verse:^[6]

• Psalm 104(103):30: Send forth your Spirit and all things shall be created; and you shall renew the face of the earth;^[7] or
• Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people, and enkindle in them the fire of your love.^[8]

Offertory chant:

• Psalm 68(67): Confirm, O God, that which you have accomplished in our midst; from your holy temple which is in Jerusalem, kings shall offer presents to you, alleluia. (Confirma hoc Deus, quod operatus es in nobis: a templo tuo, quod est in Ierusalem, tibi offerent reges munera, alleluia.)^[9]
• Psalm 119(118): 47, 48: I shall meditate upon your commandments which I greatly love; I will extend my hands towards your commandments which I love. (Meditábor in mandátis tuis, quae diléxi valde: et levábo manus meas ad mandáta tua, quae diléxi.)^[10]

Communion chant(s):

• Matthew 5: 8–10: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God; blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God; blessed are those who suffer persecution for the sake of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Beati mundo corde, quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt: beati pacifici, quoniam filii Dei vocabuntur: beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter iustitiam, quoniam ipsorum est regnum caelorum, alleluia.) With recommended verses from Psalm 34(33) and minor doxology.^[11]
• Matthew 25: 20, 21: Lord, you delivered five talents unto me; behold, I have gained five more. Well done, good and faithful servant; because you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter the joy of your Lord. (Domine, quinque talenta tradidisti mihi: ecce alia quinque superlucratus sum. Euge serve fidelis, quia in pauca fuisti fidelis, supra multa te constituam, intra in gaudium Domini tui.) With recommended verses from Psalm 119(118): 1, 2, 14, 24, 30, 48, 99, 100, 129, 130, and minor doxology.^[12]
• Matthew 16:24: Whoever wishes to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. (Qui vult venire post me, abneget semetipsum: et tollat crucem suam, et sequatur me.) With recommended verses from Psalm 34(33) and minor doxology.^[13]
• John 14:18: I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you again, alleluia; and your heart will rejoice, alleluia, alleluia. (Non vos relinquam orphanos: veniam ad vos iterum, alleluia: et gaudebit cor vestrum, alleluia, alleluia.) With recommended verses from Psalm 122(121): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and and minor doxology.^[14]
• John 14:26: The Holy Spirit will teach you, alleluia; all the things that I have said unto you, alleluia, alleluia. (Spiritus Sanctus docebit vos, alleluia, quaecumque dixero vobis, alleluia, alleluia.) With recommended verses from Psalm 78(77): 1, 2, 3–4a, 4bcd, 6b–7a, 7bc, 23, 24, 25, 29, and minor doxology.^[15]

Chant during the conferral of Confirmation:

The Graduale Romanum does not explicitly recommend any chants to be sung during the conferral of the Sacrament of Confirmation, but one or more psalms with verses from the Communion selection may work well.

Correction: There is a chant for the conferral of the Sacrament of Confirmation.^[16]

• Psalm 68(67): 29, 30: Confirm, O God, what Thou hast wrought in us, from Thy holy temple, which is in Jerusalem. (Confírma hoc Deus quod operátus es in nobis, a templo sancto tuo, quod est in Ierúsalem.) With selected verses from Psalm 68(67) and the minor doxology.