Thursday, March 12, 2009

LITURGICAL OR MUSICAL QUESTIONS

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On February 10, 2010, Anonymous (Mike W.) said...
"I heard the "alleluia" verse sang while visiting another parish and it was upbeat and the congregation really caught onto it.It went like this...Alle, Alle, Alle...Luiaaa..(Repeat 2x) and then it concludes Alleluia--Alleluia! From this lame attempt to describe, does it sound vaguely familiar to you?" Mike

Answered by Tim Claubaugh, Organist / Music Director
Mike, Thank you for your question. First I want to apologize for taking so long to answer your question. This "Alleluia" that you are describing sounds like the "Halle, Halle, Halle" which is # 259 in our hymnals. The music for this Gospel Acclamation comes from a traditional Carribean melody and was arranged by John Bell and Marty Haugen. This "Alleluia" is done every once in a while with the K-6 grades at their School Masses. However, I don't think Mrs. Jody Nave (the grade school music teacher) has had the students sing this at their Masses lately.



On March 23, 2009, Kevin said...
"I read with interest your article on the 4 Marian Anthems. I thought since Vatican 2, gregorian chant was no longer to be done in the church. Could you please explain. "


Answer by Tim Claubaugh, Organist / Music Director:
Kevin, this is a GREAT question because many people have the perception that since Vatican II, the church is not to sing Gregorian chant. However, nothing could be further from the truth. One of the Church's documents on liturgy and music, "Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy," states in number 116 of that document,

"The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as distinctive of the Roman liturgy; therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services."

Number 117 in the same document goes on to say, "The "editio typical "of the books of Gregorian chant is to be completed and a more critical edition is to be prepared of those books already published sine the reforms of Sty. Pius X. It is desirable also that an edition be prepared containing the simpler melodies for use in small churches."

Another Church document, "General Instruction of the Roman Missal," which was just released in 2002 states, "All other things being equal, Gregorian chant holds pride of place because it is proper to the Roman Liturgy. Other types of sacred music, in particular polyphony, are in no way excluded, provided that they correspond to the spirit of the liturgical action and that they foster the participation of all the faithful. "

"Since faithful from different countries come together ever more frequently, it is fitting that they know how to sing together at least some parts of the Ordinary of the Mass in Latin..." (number 41)

So as you can see, the church encourages us to sing Gregorian chant, especially the Ordinary parts of the Mass (also known as the "service music") which are the parts that are consistently the same ("Kyrie" ("Lord Have Mercy") "Gloria;" "Holy, Holy;" "Memorial Acclamation" ["Christ has died," etc.]; "Great Amen;" and the "Lamb of God").

Although the Parish Choir are singing these Four Marian Anthems in Gregorian chant style, we as a congregation are singing chant almost every weekend that many people are not aware. First there is the Responsorial Psalm where the cantor sings the verses in chant form as well as the Gospel Acclamation. Also during the Lent Season, and during the Eucharistic Prayer, we also sing the "Holy, Holy," "Memorial Acclamation" and the "Great Amen" that are chants. We also sing the Lamb of God as a chant and we sing it in Latin as well! ! Another part of the Mass that we sing in Gregorian chant is the "Kyrie Eleison" (or "Lord have mercy") at the beginning of Mass.

Many times the priest will even chant the parts of the Mass such as the Eucharistic Prayer and the dismissal at the end of Mass.

So as one can see, since Vatican II, the church has not tried to eliminate Gregorian chant, but has strongly urged us to use it. After all, it is a very strong and beautiful part of our Catholic heritage. We have an obligation not to let it die out.

2 comments:

  1. I read with interest your article on the 4 Marian Anthems. I thought since Vatican 2, gregorian chant was no longer to be done in the church. Could you please explain.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I heard the "alleluia" verse sang while visiting another parish and it was upbeat and the congregation really caught onto it.
    It went like this...Alle, Alle, Alle...Luiaaa..(Repeat 2x) and then it concludes Alleluia--Alleluia! From this lame attempt to describe, does it sound vaguely familiar to you? Mike

    ReplyDelete