Dear Parishioners:

The pre-Lenten season is already upon us, with an early Easter this year.

So starting this Sunday, we will once again sing chant Mass XVII, which is the appropriate mass setting for Sundays during Advent and Lent.

The setting is considered more appropriate to penitential seasons, due to his more simple melodic structure, in harmony with the lack of other decoration in the church during the times of penance.

We want you to learn to sing this mass with us, since the ordinary parts of the mass truly belong to you, the congregation, to sing as one voice raised in prayer to God.

To aid those who wish to learn, here are some youtube videos of the chants (Kyrie, Sanctus & Agnus Dei), that also show the chant notation on the screen as it’s being sung:

On the Feast of the Holy Family this Sunday, the St. Cecilia Girls Choir will sing at the 9am high mass, along with the women’s chant schola.

For Offertory, they have learned a medieval latin Christmas season hymn titled “Dies est Laetitiae”.

Some Translation:

This is the joyful day,
the royal dawn,
For today comes forth
Out of the womb of a maiden
A wonderful boy,
wholly delightful
in his humanity,
who is priceless
and ineffable
in his divinity.

At Communion they will sing:

“Jesu Redemptor Omnium” (Ravanello) (this is the vespers hymn for Christmas)

Franck’s “Panis Angelicus”

the Taize canon, “Jubilate Deo”.

They will begin and end mass with “The First Noel”, and “Good Christian Men, Rejoice”.

Happy Feast of the Holy Family!

 

On Wednesday, Jan. 6th, Schola Marianum will sing the following music at the 7pm mass, to celebrate the feast of Epiphany:

Missa O Magnum Mysterium (Victoria)

Motets & Translations:

Reges Tharsis (Grassi) –The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents: the kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring gifts and all kings of the earth shall adore Him: all nations shall serve Him.

Omnes de Saba Venient (Asula) – All they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and frankincense and showing forth praise to the Lord. Alleluia.

Vidimus Stellam (Byrd) – We have seen His star in the East, and are come with gifts to adore the Lord.

O Magnum Mysterium (Victoria) – if needed

 

Happy Feast Day!

Choir Members will help lead singing for the Epiphany Water blessing ritual, THIS Tuesday at 5pm.

The blessing takes about 45 minutes total, and the rite is similar to singing vespers: done in the evening, for example, it includes the Magnificat.

The Rite begins with the Litany of Saints,followed by chanted psalms, and a couple special petitions about the blessing of the water to follow. Satan and the fallen demons are then driven from the place with a mighty exorcism prayer. Then the Magnificat is chanted, with a special antiphon. At the end, the Catholic hymn of praise “Te Deum”, is sung before the closing prayer.

This short liturgical service originated in the eastern churches, and was incorporated into the Roman Ritual in 1890.

For a more complete description, and example of the blessing in greater detail with pictures, The Brothers of the Little Oratory in San Diego have a nice post about it HERE.

 

Christmas is now upon us, the choirs of Mater Dei are looking forward to joyously celebrating the feast day!

For Christmas Midnight mass, the choir (w/ organ & violin) will start a program of carols a little after 11pm, and encourage you to come and join your voices with ours! A Handout will be provided, for congregation to participate.

The music will be as follows:

• Hodie Christus Natus est
• Of the Father’s Love Begotten
• Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
• Hark the Herald Angels Sing
• Away in a Manger (medley version)
• O Little Town of Bethlehem
• O Holy Night
• INTERLUDE: Op. 140, Rondo Mvmt (Gustav Jensen) for Organ & Violin
• God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen
• We Three Kings
• Gaudete
• Flos de Radice Jesse
• Silent Night
• O Come All Ye Faithful
• Personent Hodie
• Good Christian Men Rejoice
• Puer Nobis Nascitur

 

Music during mass:

Missa O Magnum Mysterium (Victoria) -Kyrie/Gloria & Missa Quattuor Vocum (Scarlatti ) – Sanctus/Agnus Dei

Entrance Hymn: Adeste Fideles

Offertory: O Magnum Mysterium (Victoria)

Communion: Hodie Christus Natus Est (Nanino)

Exultate Deo (Scarlatti)

Clsoing Hymn: Angels We Have Heard on High

 

The Solemn Christmas Day mass, at 9am, will feature:

Missa O Magnum Mysterium (Victoria)

Entrance Hymn: O Come All Ye Faithful

Offertory: Tollite Hostias (St. Seans) – w/ organ

Translation: Bring offerings, and adore the Lord in his holy place.
Rejoice, heaven, and exult, all the earth,
before the Lord, for he comes.
Alleluia.

Communion: Angelus Ad Pastores Ait (Gabrieli)

Translation: The angel said to the shepherds: ‘I bring you tidings of great joy,
for the Saviour of the world has been born to you today.’
Alleluia.

Ave Maria …Virgo Serena (Josquin)

Translation: Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with thee, serene Virgin.
Hail, thou whose Conception,
Full of great joy,
Fills heaven and earth
With new gladness.
Hail, thou whose Nativity
Became our great celebration,
As the light-bearing Morning Star
anticipates the true Sun.
Hail, faithful humility,
Fruitful without man,
Whose Annunciation
Was our salvation.
Hail, true virginity,
Immaculate chastity,
Whose Purification
Was our cleansing.
Hail, glorious one
In all angelic virtues,
Whose Assumption
Was our glorification.
O Mother of God,
Remember me. Amen.

Closing Hymn: Good Christian Men Rejoice