Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

For September 26, 2010 which is the 18th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Praise To The Holiest
   
2. Asperges me
   
3. Introit: Da pacem
   
4. Kyrie XI (Orbis Factor)
5. Gloria XI
   
6. Gradual: Laetatus sum
   
7. Alleluia: Timebunt gentes
   
8. Credo III
9. Offertory: Sanctificavit Moyses
   
10. Offertory hymn: Ave Maria (T.L. de Victoria)
11. Sanctus XI
    
12. Agnus Dei XI
    
13. Communion hymn: Lauda Sion
    
14. Communion: Tollite hostias
    
15. Recession: Firmly I Believe And Truly
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Full in the panting heart of Rome

I have never heard this hymn used before ever. It is definitely suitable for anniversaries of the Pope's enthronement, ordination, nameday, or even on the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter & Paul.

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

For September 19, 2010 which is the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: O God Of Loveliness
   
2. Asperges me
   
3. Introit: Iustus es, Domine
   
4. Kyrie XI (Orbis Factor)
5. Gloria XI
   
6. Gradual: Beata gens
   
7. Alleluia: Domine, exaudi
   
8. Credo I
9. Offertory: Oravi Deum, meum
   
10. Offertory hymn: O Maria, Virgo Pia
11. Sanctus XI
    
12. Agnus Dei XI
    
13. Communion hymn: Panis Angelicus
    
14. Communion: Vovete
    
15. Recession: Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

For September 12, 2010 which is the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
   
2. Asperges me
   
3. Introit: Miserere mihi
   
4. Kyrie IX (Cum Jubilo)
5. Gloria IX
   
6. Gradual: Timebunt gentes
   
7. Alleluia: Cantate Domino
   
8. Credo IV
9. Offertory: Domine, in auxilium
   
10. Offertory hymn: O Sanctissima
    
11. Sanctus IX
    
12. Agnus Dei IX
    
13. Communion hymn: O Esca Viatorum
    
14. Communion: Domine, memorabor
    
15. Recession: Soul Of My Savior
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

For September 5, 2010 which is the 15th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
   
2. Asperges me
   
3. Introit: Inclina, Domine
   
4. Kyrie XI (Orbis Factor)
5. Gloria XI
   
6. Gradual: Bonum est confiteri
   
7. Alleluia: Quoniam Deus
   
8. Credo III
9. Offertory: Exspectans exspectavi
   
10. Offertory hymn: Concordi Laetitia
    
11. Sanctus XI
    
12. Agnus Dei XI
    
13. Communion hymn: Quis Sicut Te
    
14. Communion: Panis, quem ego dedero
    
15. Recession: Hail, True Victim, Life And Light
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

St. Pius X, Pope & Confessor

For September 3, 2010 which is the feast of St. Pius X, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Hymn To St. Pius X
   
2. Introit: Extuli electum
   
3. Kyrie IV (Cunctipotens Genitor Deus)
   
4. Gloria IV
   
5. Gradual: Annuntiavi
   
6. Alleluia: Paras mihi mensam
7. Credo III
   
8. Offertory: Venite, filii, audite me
   
9. Offertory hymn: Sicut Cervus (G.P. da Palestrina)
10. Sanctus IV
    
11. Agnus Dei IV
    
12. Communion hymn: Quis Sicut Te
    
13. Communion: Caro mea
    
14. Recession: Sancte Pie Decime
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

For August 22, 2010 which is the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: All Hail Adored Trinity
   
2. Asperges me
   
3. Introit: Respice, Domine
   
4. Kyrie IX (Cum Iubilo)
   
5. Gloria IX
   
6. Gradual: Respice, Domine
   
7. Alleluia: Domine, refugium
   
8. Credo IV
   
9. Offertory: In te speravi
   
10. Offertory hymn: Ave Maria (J. Arcadelt)
11. Sanctus IX
    
12. Agnus Dei IX
    
13. Communion hymn: Ave Verum (Camille Saint-Saëns)
14. Communion: Panem de caelo
    
15. Recession: Heart of Mary
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Prayer request

In your charity and kindness, please join us in prayer for the quick recovery of Father Daniel Couture, the District Superior of Asia (Society of St Pius X). He is currently hospitalised due to dengue fever, which he had contracted while on a medical mission in the Philippines. Even though he is conscious, his condition is not very promising.

O Mary, Queen assumed into Heaven, pray for us!
O Mary, Mother of Priests, protect and guard thy servant!

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

For August 8, 2010 which is the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Crown Him With Many Crowns
   
2. Asperges me
   
3. Introit: Deus in loco sancto suo
   
4. Kyrie IX (Cum Iubilo)
   
5. Gloria IX
   
6. Gradual: In Deo speravit
   
7. Alleluia: Exsultate Deo
   
8. Credo IV
   
9. Offertory: Exaltabo te
   
10. Offertory hymn: Salve Mater
    
11. Sanctus IX
    
12. Agnus Dei IX
    
13. Communion hymn: Ecce Panis Angelorum (J. Zaninetti)
    
14. Communion: Honora Dominum
    
15. Recession: Immaculate Mary (Lourdes refrain)
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

A Plea to the Fathers of Vatican II, Fall 1963

by Jeffrey Tucker

I just stumbled upon this remarkable document from the Autumn 1963 issue of Caecilia, the predecessor journal to Sacred Music.

What follows is an official petition concerning music in the liturgy. It urges greater focus on the issues at hand, with special concern shown for the propers of the Mass, the training of choirs and priests, the furtherance of the Gregorian ordinary, the discouragement of the then-growing practice of vernacular hymnody at Mass, and limiting (at the start) the extent of vernacular to parish Vespers.

On every point, this document is correct and history bears this out. These were great experts on music here. They knew that vagueness and slogans were not enough to do what needed to be done. Moreover, they were not reactionaries but rather true advocates of the Liturgical Movement: see the plea for the congregation to be encouraged to share in the singing at Mass, but not at the expense of the structure of the service. This is not a call to preserve the status quo (see even the criticism of the 1958 decree on music) but rather a plea for a more solid framework for progress in the future.

I'm particularly struck by #4 and the suggestion that a sung Mass be made possible within the Low Mass, to be handled by a Cantor alone. This of course is the most common Mass structure we see today but it also most commonly lacks propers of the Mass. It's as if the worst of the old (four vernacular hymns) ended up by default combining with the worst of new to create this modern hybrid we know so well.

One senses a profound worry at the heart of this document that if the Council was not specific enough, disaster could befall the music of the Mass. Would that the Caecilian's plea been heeded!

The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, passed later this very year, did not necessarily contradict anything in this petition, and it even gave a ringing endorsement of Gregorian chant, but it lacked the specificity and failed to correct for the abuses which the Caecilians anticipated.

Note finally that two years later, Pope Paul VI called for the successor organization to the Society to be given a leadership role in guided the development of music following the Council. (It goes without saying that this wish was not fulfilled.)

Everyone who sniffs at the stuffiness of the old Society of St. Caecilia ought to consider the foresight revealed in this petition. It is time that history acknowledge who was right.

The American Society of St. Caecilia respectfully submits to the consideration of their Eminences and their Excellencies, the Most Reverend Fathers of the Second Vatican Council, the following petitions.

1. Regarding the place of music in the liturgy:

In view of the fact that the church has always regarded the function of the cantor and the trained choir, as well as that of the singing congregation, as an integral and necessary element of public worship, this Society is sincerely hopeful that the Fathers of the Council, before making any changes which might affect the structure of the services, will give earnest consideration to the importance of these traditional elements. While this tradition is not founded upon recent documents, we should desire the retention of the principles so clearly outlined in Pope St. Pius X's Motu Proprio and in the Musicae Sacrae Disciplina of Pope Pius XII.

2. Regarding the Propers of the Sung Mass:

If any changes are to be made in the structure of the Proper of the Mass, this Society respectfully urges that the Fathers of the Council give careful thought to the fundamental structure of the service, and therefore to the meaning and value of each part, clearly preserving the roles of the cantor and trained choir. This Society also begs that art and beauty, which are inherent and not foreign to the casting of the Proper parts, not be sacrificed to the single issue of simplicity and brevity.

3. Regarding the Ordinary of the Sung Mass:

Since the necessity of a clearer insight into what worship really is presses for a greater sharing by the people in the song of the Church, this Society earnestly recommends that the congregation be encouraged to share in the singing at Mass, not necessarily according to the medieval and mistaken norm of the Ordinary as a unit, but with due regard for the place the various chants have in the fundamental structure of the service. It therefore also pleads that the great treasures of medieval chant and classical polyphony, as well as the riches of modern and contemporary music, not be discarded on the untraditional plea that there is no place for participation by listening.

4. Regarding the music at Low Mass:

This Society respectfully urges that consideration be given to maintaining the sung mass as the norm for congregational service, and where necessity demands, that provision be made for a simplified form of sung Mass that requires only the service of a trained cantor to supplement the singing of the congregation. The singing of hymns at low Mass, a solution suggested by the 1958 decree, is not completely satisfactory, because it remains extraneous to the action at the altar.

5. Regarding the use of the vernacular in the sung liturgy:

The Society of St. Caecilia recognizes that the vernacular problem is a pastoral problem, but even more basically a problem involving the proper attitude toward worship. Because music is an integral part of worship, the problem is necessarily also a musical one. This Society therefore urges care and caution, since the musical problems involved are certainly very great, whether in creating a new music for a vernacular text or in adapting a vernacular text to the rich store of chant and polyphony and other music from the past. The Society especially suggests vernacular adaptations to the offices of the church which have fallen into disuse, notably parish Vespers.

6. Regarding the practical realization of a sung liturgy:

The Society of St. Caecilia urges the Fathers of the Council to implement the repeated wishes of the Holy. See by encouraging the musical training of both clergy and laity, and especially of choirmasters and organists, according to the norms laid down in the decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites of September 3, 1958, so that the ideals of a reverential and artistic musical worship may be realized.

The above articles have been approved by the Most Reverend Gerald T. Bergan, Archbishop of Omaha, the. Liturgy and Music Commissions of the Archdiocese of Omaha, and by the Boys Town Liturgical Music Institute's eleventh national session.

For the Society of St. Caecilia:
September 12, 1963
Msgr. Francis P. Schmitt, President
Rev. Francis A. Brunner, C.Ss.R., Secretary
James P. Keenan, Treasurer

Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

For July 25, 2010 which is the 9th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Glory Be To Jesus
   
2. Asperges me
   
3. Introit: Ecce Deus adiuvat me
   
4. Kyrie XI
   
5. Gloria XI
   
6. Gradual: Domine, Dominus noster
   
7. Alleluia: Eripe me
   
8. Credo I
9. Offertory: Iustitiae Domini
   
10. Offertory hymn: Ave Maris Stella
11. Sanctus XI
    
12. Agnus Dei XI
13. Communion hymn: Jesu, rex admirabilis (G.P. da Palestrina)
14. Communion: Qui manducat
    
15. Recession: Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

For July 11, 2010 which is the 7th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: O God of Loveliness
   
2. Asperges me
   
3. Introit: Omnes gentes
   
4. Kyrie XI
   
5. Gloria XI
   
6. Gradual: Venite, filii
   
7. Alleluia: Omnes gentes
   
8. Credo III
   
9. Offertory: Sicut in holocausto
   
10. Offertory hymn: Quis Sicut Te
    
11. Sanctus XI
    
12. Agnus Dei XI
    
13. Communion hymn: Adoramus Te Christe
    
14. Communion: Inclina aurem tuam
    
15. Recession: Hail, True Victim, Life And Light
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

For June 27, 2010 which is the 5th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
   
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Exaudi, Domine... adiutor
   
4. Kyrie IX (Cum iubilo)
   
5. Gloria IX
   
6. Gradual: Protector noster
7. Alleluia: Domine, in virtute tua
   
8. Credo IV
9. Offertory: Benedicam Dominum
   
10. Offertory hymn: O Sanctissima
11. Sanctus IX
    
12. Agnus Dei IX
    
13. Communion hymn: Adoramus Te, Christe (attrib. G.P. da Palestrina)
    
14. Communion: Unam petii
    
15. Recession: Holy Mary, Now We Crown Thee
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

For June 20, 2010 which is the 4th Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Godhead Here In Hiding
   
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Dominus illuminatio mea
   
4. Kyrie XI
   
5. Gloria XI
   
6. Gradual: Propitius esto
7. Alleluia: Deus, qui sedes
   
8. Credo III
9. Offertory: Illumina oculos meos
   
10. Offertory hymn: Cor, Arca Legem Continens
11. Sanctus XI
    
12. Agnus Dei XI
    
13. Communion hymn: Cor Jesu, Caritatis Victima
    
14. Communion: Dominus firmamentum meum
    
15. Recession: Soul Of My Savior
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available

The Sacred Heart of Jesus

For the June 12, 2010 Sung Mass in conjunction with the pilgrimage to Melaka for the 465th anniversary of the arrival of St. Francis Xavier, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: O Jesus, In Thy Heart Divine
2. Introit: Cogitationes cordis eius
   
3. Kyrie VIII (De Angelis)
   
4. Gloria VIII
   
5. Gradual: Dulcis et rectus Dominus
   
6. Alleluia: Tollite iugum meum
   
7. Offertory: Improperium exspectavit
   
8. Offertory hymn: Cor Dulce, Cor Amabile
9. Sanctus VIII
   
10. Agnus Dei VIII
    
11. Communion hymn: Ave Verum (W. Byrd)
12. Communion: Unus militum
    
13. Recession: To Jesus Christ, Our Sov'reign King
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

465th anniversary of St Francis Xavier's arrival in Melaka

In conjunction with the 465th anniversary of St Francis Xavier's arrival in Melaka (Malacca) and the District of Asia's Crusade for Vocations, there will be a pilgrimage to Melaka on June 12, 2010. Pilgrims will begin to walk starting from Ayer Salak's Church of St. Mary, ending with a Sung Mass of the Sacred Heart. Of course for those who are elderly or unable to walk the entire stretch, there will be cars accompanying the entire walk.

Date: Saturday, June 12, 2010
Program:

• 5.00 am Meet at St Mary's Church, Ayer Salak
• 5.30 am The 20 km walk begins (bring your own snack). We will have to walk in separate small groups for security and legal reasons. And we cannot walk on the road.
• 10.00-10.30 am End of walk. Freshen up and prepare for mass. The venue is: The hall of the Association of Straits-Born Chinese of Malacca, JALAN TUN TAN CHENG LOCK (HEEREN ST), MELAKA, MALAYSIA.
• 11.00 am Holy Mass
• 12:30 pm Lunch at Makko Nyonya Restaurant (nearby)
• 2.00 pm Conference by Fr Couture
• 2.30 pm Proceed to St Paul's Hill
• 4.00 pm End of Pilgrimage
  

The cost of the pilgrimage (venue booking, lunch) is RM40 to be paid on the day. Please arrange for your own transportation to/fro Melaka and/or accommodation if necessary.

Let us offer this pilgrimage to obtain some Malaysian and Singaporean vocations, in particular!

For further details, please contact District of Asia (email: district at sspxasia.com, tel: +65 6459 0792, or Diana Lim (email: ecweediana at hotmail.com, tel: +603 6157 5976).

Third Sunday after Pentecost

For June 13, 2010 which is the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: O Jesus, In Thy Heart Divine
   
2. Asperges me
3. Introit: Respice in me
   
4. Kyrie XI
   
5. Gloria XI
   
6. Gradual: Iacta cogitatum tuum
7. Alleluia: Deus, iudex iustus
   
8. Credo IV
9. Offertory: Sperent in te omnes
   
10. Offertory hymn: Cor Dulce, Cor Amabile
11. Sanctus XI
    
12. Agnus Dei XI
    
13. Communion hymn: Da pacem, Domine (M. Franck)
    
14. Communion: Dico vobis: Gaudium
    
15. Recession: Firmly I Believe And Truly (tune: Halton Holgate)
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Happy Ascension Thursday!

God has gone up amidst shouts of joy, the Lord to the sound of the trumpet, alleluia!

Bruckner's Tota pulchra es Maria

In honour of Our Lady in this month dedicated to her.

Pentecost Sunday

For May 23, 2010 which is Pentecost Sunday, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Come Holy Ghost, Creator Blest
2. Vidi aquam
3. Introit: Spiritus Domini
   
4. Kyrie II
5. Gloria II
6. Alleluia: Emitte Spiritum tuum
7. Alleluia: Veni, Sancte Spiritus
8. Sequence: Veni, Sancte Spiritus
   
9. Credo IV
10. Offertory: Confirma hoc, Deus
11. Offertory hymn: Veni Creator
    
12. Sanctus II
13. Agnus Dei II
    
14. Communion hymn: Ave Verum (C.C. Saint-Saëns)
15. Communion: Factus est repente
    
16. Recession: Rejoice, O Mary, Heavenly Queen

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Third SSPX Rosary Crusade Official Tally

The General House of the Society of Saint Pius X [SSPX], in Menzingen, has received from all over the world the results of the Rosary Crusade launched by its General Superior, Bishop Bernard Fellay. This crusade lasted from May 1, 2009, to March 25, 2010; its goal was to ask for the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary by the Supreme Pontiff and all the bishops of the Catholic world, in accordance with the message of Fatima in which Our Lady herself announced the final triumph of her Immaculate Heart.

DICI is delighted to announce to its readers, that the goal of 12 million rosaries, which were to form a crown of 12 stars for Mary, Queen of Heaven, has been surpassed by far, since more than 19 million rosaries have been reported. We can note the generosity of the United States (5,356,189), France (3,037,941), Africa (2,819,395) and Asia (2,919,257). Next come Canada (719,777), Germany (689,417), South America (601,678), Switzerland (417,574), Australia (439,555), Mexico (335,794), Great Britain (218,116), Italy (172,960), Ireland (147,575)….

This crown of rosaries recited around the world, over the course of nearly a year, will be soon presented to the Holy Father by Bishop Fellay. Profound thanks to all the Rosary crusaders for their admirable Marian fervor !

Source: DICI

The Splendour of Worship

People, no doubt, wonder why such fuss is made over extravagant vestments and claim that it's all pomp and circumstance feeding the ego of the ministers. Then there's the usual rant about the poor, how the excessive show of triumphalism is contrary to the heart of Jesus who loved the poor and dispossessed.

This is all true, that Jesus has particular care of the poor and the dispossesed. But really, it is all of us who are poor and dispossessed. We are poor because without God, we are nothing, we have nothing. We do not bring ourselves into existence and neither can we exist without God, however much atheists protest and try to prove this point. We become less human when God is pushed out of the picture. So, yes, all of us are poor. Jesus' Incarnation, His emptying Himself of glory to take on our human nature teaches us this very point. For our sakes, He became poor. We are the poor.

And we are dispossessed. Our sin deprived us of our heritage, that of beholding God face to face. And it is only through Christ that we are able, by adoption through Him in his Passion, Death, and Resurrection, that we are restored to that heritage, that we are sons and daughters of the Most High.

What does this have to do with worship, and vestments, and "pomp".

The Pontifical Solemn High Mass last Saturday reminded me once more that God is utterly Other. However much I want to bring Him down to my level, yet He is God, truly adorable and worthy of all the best that I can offer Him through worship. The vestments, the rituals, the gestures bear within them the symbol that God is beyond me. And yet, through the Sacrifice of the Mass, I am drawn into the heart of the Divine.

What was so stunning about the cappa magna that Bishop Slattery was dressed in as he entered the temple, evoked Isaiah: "In the year that King Ozias died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and elevated; and His train filled the temple."

Isaiah was given this vision of the splendour and the glory of God.And now, through Christ's Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, we--foolish and weak that we are, unfaithful and forever wandering away--can know, can glimpse, can be pierced, too, by the glory of God. It is splendid. It is glorious. It is not like us. And we fall down to our faces and say, "Woe is me for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips and I have seen with my eyes the King, the Lord of Hosts."

And just like the priest prays before the declaration of the Gospel, "Munda cor meum ac labia mea,omnipotens Dei..." Cleanse my heart and lips. We are once more drawn into that temple where we come to face Truth, Holy, Transcendent, Merciful and Glorious.

Unlike the modern manifestations of the liturgy which pull our attention away from God to fall upon ourselves and our actions and our relevance, this most solemn of rites makes us lift our eyes heavenward, the destiny of our journey. Not by anything that we do, but only through the Offering of Christ in Himself. For our part, it is the offering we give of our heart, our prayer, our whole attention that are required of us. It isn't whether we verbally say things out loud: words are meaningless if we do not have recollection, remembering who we are and who God is, that is, pardon the pun, at the heart of worship.

The infernal and maddening battles over liturgy and whether modern man can rightly understand the words of worship detract from what it is that is being done, who it is that is acting at Mass. We are spectators, you and I, in this grand drama of salvation. It is Mystery that our minds can hardly penetrate. This leaves little room for silly dancing, hand-holding, comedic actions that have nothing to do with the sacred actions happening at Mass. It is Mystery and we are left in awe.

I can understand why liturgical wars are so intense. It is a matter of who is at the heart of the Mass. We feel useless when we aren't "doing anything". Why is it only the priest that gets to do things? Aren't we, all of us, priests in that royal priesthood of believers?

But it is Christ who is the Priest, the only one who can offer a worthy offering to God the Father. And so when the cappa magna passes by, when that sacred minister, with his face set in a solemn way, passes by and his shimmering long train follows, our hearts are lifted because, here, in this person, in this temple, in this hour, Christ enters. This is our Catholic Faith. Through sensible signs, the Divine enters. How blessed are we to witness it and at the end, when we are dismissed, it is our turn to walk in this world bearing this light, this Divine Truth, God is in His temple, let the earth worship.

Source: Argent by the Tiber

Fifth Sunday after Easter

For May 9, 2010 which is the Fifth Sunday after Easter, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: At The Lamb's High Feast (AH#411)
2. Vidi aquam
3. Introit: Vocem iucunditatis
   
4. Kyrie I
5. Gloria I
   
6. Alleluia: Surrexit Christus et illuxit
   
7. Alleluia: Exivi a Patre
   
8. Credo III
9. Offertory: Benedicite, gentes
10. Offertory hymn: Ave Maria (J. Arcadelt)
    
11. Sanctus I
12. Agnus Dei I
    
13. Communion hymn: O bone Jesu (M.A. Ingegneri)
14. Communion: Cantate Domino
    
15. Recession: Jesu, Grant Me This

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Third Sunday after Easter

For April 25, 2010 which is the Third Sunday after Easter, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Hail, True Victim, Life And Light
   
2. Vidi aquam
3. Introit: Iubilate Deo
   
4. Kyrie I
5. Gloria I
   
6. Alleluia: Redemptionem
   
7. Alleluia: Oportebat
   
8. Credo III
   
9. Offertory: Lauda, anima mea
   
10. Offertory hymn: Regina Caeli (A. Lotti)
    
11. Sanctus I
12. Agnus Dei I
    
13. Communion hymn: Ave Verum Corpus
    
14. Communion: Modicum
    
15. Recession: Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
    

Click on the links to hear samples and scores where available.

12 million Rosaries Crusade Update from SSPX US District

12-MILLION ROSARIES CRUSADE UPDATE

At Econe, during the Pontifical Mass on Easter Sunday, Bishop Fellay announced that the 12 million rosaries have been "greatly exceeded." He also invited all the faithful to pray for the Holy Father who suffers from the media's attacks. Laudetur Iesus Christus et Maria mater ejus!

Low Sunday (Dominica in albis)

For April 11, 2010 which is Low Sunday, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: O Sons And Daughters
   
2. Vidi aquam
3. Introit: Quasimodo
   
4. Kyrie I (Lux et Origo)
   
5. Gloria I
   
6. Alleluia: In die resurrectionis
   
7. Alleluia: Post dies octo
   
8. Credo III
   
9. Offertory: Angelus Domini
   
10. Offertory hymn: Regina Caeli Jubila
    
11. Sanctus I
12. Agnus Dei I
13. Communion: Mitte manum tuam with Ps 117: 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,
    21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29
    
14. Recession: Rejoice, O Mary, Heavenly Queen
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

The Passion according to St John in Gregorian Chant part 3 of 3

The Passion according to St John in Gregorian Chant part 2 of 3

The Passion according to St John in Gregorian Chant part 1 of 3

Offertory & communion motets in preparation for Easter

Mozart's "Jubilate Deo" a capella:


Mozart's "Jubilate Deo" with organ accompaniment:


Byrd's "Ave Verum":

Swaying pots of smoke

What's with the Novus Ordo fetish with swaying pots of smoke by middle-aged people? Just trying to get them something to do so that they feel important? How about improving the singing and music first? If the Vatican can do nothing concrete against these nonsense, any Catholic worth his name should have nothing to do with the Novus Ordo, even for the so-called "reform of the Reform".



h/t to Rorate Caeli for this alert.

Happy Feastday

Besides being the Feast of the Annunciation today, it it worth noting that today is also the end for the SSPX Rosary Crusade for the intention of the Papal Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Besides that, it also happens to be the anniversary of the passing of the great missionary and defender of the Faith, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.

Holy Week Schedule

Second Sunday of Passiontide (Palm Sunday)

Rosary/Confession at 5:30 p.m.
Sung Mass at 6:00 p.m.

Blessing and distribution of palms before Mass

Wednesday in Holy Week (Spy Wednesday)

Rosary/Confession at 6:30 p.m.

Low Mass at 7:00 p.m.

Holy Thursday

Rosary/Confession at 6:30 p.m.

Mass of the Lord's Supper at 7:00 p.m.

followed by Transfer of the Blessed Sacrament and Stripping of Altar

and Adoration till midnight.

Good Friday

Rosary/Confession at 2.00 p.m.
Stations of the Cross at 2.30 p.m.
Good Friday Liturgy at 3:00 p.m.

Holy Saturday

Rosary/Confession at 10.30 p.m.
The Great Vigil of the Resurrection at 11:00 p.m.

Sunday of the Resurrection (Easter Sunday)

Rosary/Confession at 9:00 a.m.
Sung Mass at 9.30 a.m.

Is the Teaching of the Encyclical Humanae Vitae Taught and Practiced in the Church?

From Totus Tuus:

Fr. John A. Nariai (成相明人) of Humanae Vitae Research Institute (フマネ・ヴィテ 硏究會) in Japan gave a great speech at the Love, Life and Family Conference hosted in Daegu, Korea in 1998. The respectable Japanese father reported a quite deplorable reality of Catholic Church on the issue of contraception. His criticism on Catholic Church in Japan was also translated into Korean language.

Is the Teaching of the Encyclical Humanae Vitae Taught and Practiced in the Church? ?

"Now, Japan is not counted as one of the dissenting nations, however, in the statement of Japan Bishop's Conference of 1968, there is one too many "if." Listen carefully to the statement which I quote now: "If somebody, notwithstanding his good will to fulfill the directives of the encyclical Humanae Vitae, is unable to observe it in some matters because of objective and necessary circumstances, he should never think himself separated from the love of God...Rather we advise them to deepen their trust in God, and to participate fervently in the works of the Church and to receive the sacraments." Unquote. The words are open to a catastrophic interpretation of the worst kind. They could mean that those who think they must contracept are invited by the bishops to receive the Sacraments―confession and Holy Communion―without making a firm purpose of amendment. Are the bishops of Japan not seducing its people to sin? It looks like it. And that seems to be the practice for many in Japan. Martin Luther once gave this blasphemous advice; "Pecca fortiter, et confide fortius" (Sin bravely and trust even more strongly.) Regrettably our bishops in Japan acted like Luther. Japan's Catholic population is not growing at all. It is around 430 thousand since many years ago, and the seminaries are empty if I may exaggerate. Something drastic needs to be done. How can the Church in Japan expect God to give more baptisms and priestly vocations, while she is not fully faithful to the teachings of Humanae Vitae? She is only partially Catholic, if not heretic."

I cannot say that the situation of Church in Korea has been better than that of the Church in Japan. Although Catholic Bishops conference in Korea (CBCK) has occasionally made statements objecting abortion, the teaching of Humanae Vitae has been widely neglected and silenced. Actually, abortion and contraception has been very uncomfortable teachings for the most clergy in Korea and most Korean pastors let lays decide following whatever their own conscience tells them is right.

As a result of the pastoral neglect, Korean Catholics recorded almost the same rate of abortion as that of general population in Korea. According to Fr. Stephen Jae-Bong Jang's article that appeared on weekly bulletin of Pusan Archdiocese on May 27, 2007, 66% of Korean Catholic women have had abortions.

"Contraception facilitates the kind of relationships and even the kind of attitudes and moral characters that are likely to lead to abortion." - Professor Janet E. Smith, The Connection between Contraception and Abortion.

In Novus Ordo land, they don't even want to kneel to God anymore

From Fr. Z's blog with his emphases and comments:

Ottawa archbishop lays down law on kneeling
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
By Jennifer Green

OTTAWA — Ottawa’s archbishop has ordered all Catholics to conform in how they kneel during mass, despite widespread grumbling that uniformity doesn’t equal sanctity, or even unity. [Note the vocabularly choices. The writer doesn’t seem to like this.]

Archbishop Terrence Prendergast circulated a letter recently asking that everyone kneel for the entire Eucharistic prayer from "Holy, holy, holy" to the conclusion "Let us proclaim the mystery of faith"—about five minutes in all.

Currently, some congregations stand for most of the prayer, kneeling only as the priest prepares holy communion. Some stand for the whole thing; others kneel throughout.

Archbishop Prendergast said in his letter: "I have noted a wide range of practices … which present a lack of harmony in a matter where we should be united—the worship of God.

"I know that it may not be easy for some to accept. However, I am convinced its implementation will bring blessings to our archdiocese and I invite your co-operation with this directive." [Notice how we have moved from "order" to "ask" to "invite".]

In an interview later, he explained: "It’s a sign of reverence. People say, ‘I don’t like that. We are the people set free, we no longer have to kneel to God,’ and I said, ‘Wait a minute, we do have to kneel to God. Christ knelt in the garden. People knelt before Jesus. Why can’t we do that for a few minutes at mass?’ "

One woman told him her husband might not come to church because of this. [How stupid is that?] "She said, ‘we French Canadians have a bit of an inferiority complex. We don’t like people telling us what to do’." [Imagine.]

He replied that, if the husband does come, he is free to stand through the prayer, but at the back of the church, where he won’t confuse everyone else. [For heaven’s sake.]

It seems a small thing to ask the faithful to kneel [to GOD] during mass, but opponents say that’s just the point, especially since it is the archbishop’s first firm order since he arrived in this area last year.

[Now get this stunningly obtuse comment….] "Is that all they have to think about?" asked former Ottawa councillor Toddy Kehoe, a parishioner at St. Joseph’s parish on Laurier Avenue East. "I don’t see the Catholic church as doing loving things. I don’t see them as the caring community they should be. It isn’t whether you stand or kneel."

St. Joseph’s Rev. Richard Kelly declined to comment, [?!?] as did a staff member who said in an e-mail: "It is hard to believe that a kneeler is such a big topic, and I wish I could say something about this piece of furniture that was meaningful, [So do I. You ought to be able to.] and about the prayer posture we have been requested to assume, but we are in difficult times and the focus for us as a parish is really how can we participate in the truth and reconciliation process with the aboriginal community of Canada." [Connect this to the stunningly obtuse comment, above.]

Even Rev. William Burke, associate director of the national liturgy office at the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, refused to comment for fear of fanning the controversy. [?!?] Canadian bishops have already agreed to adopt this rule when the new missal, or Catholic mass book, is introduced in the near future.

Archbishop Prendergast acknowledged the underlying strains. "Every time you talk about liturgy, everything else going on in the church is reflected." [YES! He get’s it. Save The Liturgy – Save The World, too.]

Right now, the Catholic church is asking, "Is (the mass) our thing or is it God’s thing? There are certain tensions in the church about that.

"After 40 years since the Vatican Council, we have gotten away from certain aspects of reverence; we’re trying to have more harmony and co-ordination. Harmony will help bolster a sense of divine worship, something that has slipped away.

"What has happened with the liturgy is that it is being asked to bear too many things." [That is interesting.]

At one mass, people got so enthusiastic about greeting each other at the exchange of the peace that it took 45 minutes to get back to the pews and resume the service. [!]

"That’s not what mass is about. It’s about worshipping God," Archbishop Prendergast said.

"At one time, nobody ever applauded. Now, they applaud for everything. It becomes more like a concert." [grrrr]

As to his authoritarian message, he said, "The bishop is the mentor of the liturgy, moderator, the one who calls the shots. I try to do it gently."

Nevertheless, to both clergy and congregants, he says, "I know you disagree, but I would like you to come along."

If someone comes to church and stubbornly stands, they won’t be asked to leave. But, the archbishop says, "You sort of wonder, what are they proving when there are two people standing in a church of 500 kneeling? Some people always have to let you know they’re right."

St Joseph, pray for us!

The just man shall flourish like the palm tree; he shall grow like a cedar of Lebanon planted in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God.

--Introit from the Mass of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Confessor, Patron of the Universal Church

How to get young people to be involved in the parish?

Answer to be found here.

N.b. The Sacred Heart Choir members could certainly attest to the truth of this article, since it was formed by young people, with only young people as members, all with the encouragement of the priest.

Resurrection of Our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ (the Solemnity of Solemnities)

For April 4, 2010 which is the Resurrection of OLJC, we are going to sing:

1. Procession: Jesus Christ Is Risen Today (SBH#044)
2. Vidi aquam
3. Introit: Resurrexi
4. Kyrie I
5. Gloria I
   
6. Gradual: Haec dies
7. Alleluia: Pascha nostrum
8. Sequence: Victimae paschali laudes
9. Credo III
   
10. Offertory: Terra tremuit
11. Offertory hymn: Salve Festa Dies
    
12. Sanctus I
13. Agnus Dei I
14. Communion: Pascha nostrum with Ps 117: 1, 2, 5, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,
    21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29
    
15. Recession: The Strife Is O'er
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Paschal Vigil

For April 3, 2010 which is the Paschal Vigil, we are going to sing:

1. Canticle: Cantemus Domino
2. Canticle: Vinea facta est
3. Canticle: Attende caelum
4. Litany of the Saints (until "Omnes Sancti et Sanctae Dei, intercedite pro nobis")
5. Canticle: Sicut cervus
   
6. Litany of the Saints (cont. from "Propitius esto, parce nobis Domine")
7. Kyrie I
8. Gloria I
   
9. Alleluia: Confitemini Domino
10. Tract: Laudate Dominum
11. Sanctus I
    
12. Offertory hymn: Jubilate Deo (W.A. Mozart)
13. Communion hymn: Ave Verum Corpus (W. Byrd)
14. Communion: Alleluia (repeat after the end of Laudate Dominum)
    
15. Antiphon: Et valde mane
16. Canticle: Benedictus Dominus (repeat Antiphon Et valde mane at the end)
    
17. Recession: The Strife Is O'er
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available. NOTE: The Credo and Agnus Dei are not sung/said in the Paschal Vigil Mass.

Good Friday

For April 2, 2010 which is Good Friday, we are going to sing the following:

1. Responsorium I: Domine audivi
2. Responsorium II: Eripe me, Domine
   
3. Responses to Ecce lignum Crucis in ascending tone: Venite adoremus (1) (2) (3)
   
4. Improperia: Popule meus (during solemn adoration of the Cross)
   
5. Antiphon: Crucem tuam (during solemn adoration of the Cross)
6. Hymn: Crux fidelis (during solemn adoration of the Cross)
7. Antiphon I: Adoramus te Christe (when the Blessed Sacrament is returned to the altar)
8. Antiphon II: Per lignum (when the Blessed Sacrament is returned to the altar)
9. Antiphon III: Salvator mundi, salva nos (when the Blessed Sacrament is returned to the altar)
10. Communion: Psalm 21
    

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Maundy Thursday

For April 1, 2010 which is Maundy Thursday, we are going to sing:

1. Introit: Nos autem gloriari
2. Kyrie IV
   
3. Gloria IV
   
4. Gradual: Christus factus est
   
5. Antiphon: Mandatum novum (antiphons 5-12 are sung only if feet washing rite takes place)
6. Antiphon: Postquam surrexit Dominus
7. Antiphon: Dominus Iesus
8. Antiphon: Domine, tu mihi lavas pedes
9. Antiphon: Si ego Dominus
10. Antiphon: In hoc cognoscent omnes
11. Antiphon: Maneant in vobis
12. Antiphon: Ubi caritas
13. Offertory: Dextera Domini
14. Offertory hymn: Quis Sicut Te
    
15. Sanctus IV
    
16. Agnus Dei IV (end with "miserere nobis" instead of "dona nobis pacem")
    
17. Communion: Dominus Iesus with Psalm 101: 2–3, 5, 18
    

During translation of the Most Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose:

1. Hymn: Pange lingua gloriosi

During stripping of the altar:

1. Antiphon: Diviserunt and Psalm 21 (Deus, Deus meus)

Click on the links to hear samples where available.