Sacred Heart Choir

For June 9, 2013 which is the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, we will celebrate the External Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, since the chapel is dedicated to the same. Thus, we are going to sing:

Procession: To Jesus' Heart, All Burning
Asperges me
Introit: Cogitationes cordis eius
Kyrie VIII (De Angelis)
Gloria VIII
Gradual: Dulcis et rectus Dominus
Alleluia: Tollite iugum meum
Credo III
Offertory: Improperium exspectavit
Offertory hymn: Cor, Arca Legem Continens
Sanctus VIII
Agnus Dei VIII
Communion: Unus militum with Ps. 88
Recession: To Jesus Christ, Our Sov'reign King

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Monday, May 27, 2013

External Solemnity of Corpus Christi

For June 2, 2013, we will be celebrating the external Solemnity of Corpus Christi instead of 2nd Sunday after Pentecost:

Procession: Jesus, My Lord, My God All
Asperges me
Introit: Cibavit eos
Kyrie IV (Cunctipotens Genitor Deus)
Gloria IV
Gradual: Oculi omnium
Alleluia: Caro mea
Sequence: Lauda Sion
Credo I
Offertory: Sacerdotes Domini
Offertory hymn: Panis Angelicus I
Sanctus IV
Agnus Dei IV
Communion: Quotiescumque manducabitis with Ps. 22
Processional Hymn: Adoro Te Devote
Processional Hymn: Lauda Jerusalem
Benediction: Tantum Ergo II
Recession: Hail, True Victim, Life And Light

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The Most Holy Trinity

For May 26, 2013 which is the feast of the Most Holy Trinity, we are going to sing:

Procession: O God Almighty Father
Asperges me
Introit: Benedicta sit
Kyrie VIII
Gloria VIII
Gradual: Benedictus es, Domine
Alleluia: Benedictus es, Domine
Credo IV
Offertory: Benedictus sit
Offertory hymn: Jam Sol Recedit
Sanctus VIII
Agnus Dei VIII
Communion: Benedicimus Deum with Tob. 13
Recession: Firmly I Believe And Truly (tune: Halton Holgate)

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Pentecost Sunday

For May 19, 2013 which is Pentecost Sunday, we are going to sing:

Procession: Come Down, O Love Divine (tune: Down Ampney)
Vidi aquam
Introit: Spiritus Domini
Kyrie II
Gloria II
Alleluia: Emitte Spiritum tuum
Alleluia: Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Sequence: Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Credo III
Offertory: Confirma hoc, Deus
Offertory hymn: Beata nobis gaudia
Sanctus II
Agnus Dei II
Communion: Factus est repente with Ps. 67
Recession: Regina Caeli Laetare (Solemn Tone)

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Tuesday, May 07, 2013

Sunday after the Ascension

For May 12, 2013 which is the Sunday after the Ascension, we are going to sing:

Procession: New Praises Be Given
Vidi aquam
Introit: Exaudi, Domine
Kyrie I
Gloria I
Alleluia: Regnavit Dominus
Alleluia: Non vos relinquam
Credo I
Offertory: Ascendit Deus
Offertory hymn: Ave Maris Stella
Sanctus I
Agnus Dei I
Communion: Pater, cum essem with Ps. 121
Recession: Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (tune: Blaenwern)

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Fifth Sunday after Easter

For May 5, 2013 which is the Fifth Sunday after Easter, we are going to sing:

Procession: Great King Of Kings
Vidi aquam
Introit: Vocem iucunditatis
Kyrie I
Gloria I
Alleluia: Surrexit Christus et illuxit
Alleluia: Exivi a Patre
Credo IV
Offertory: Benedicite, gentes
Offertory hymn: O Maria, Virgo Pia
Sanctus I
Agnus Dei I
Communion: Cantate Domino with Ps. 95
Recession: Immaculate Mary I (Lourdes refrain)

Friday, April 26, 2013

Fourth Sunday after Easter

For April 28th, 2013 which is the Fourth Sunday after Easter, we are going to sing:

Procession: The Strife Is O'er
Vidi aquam
Introit: Cantate Domino
Kyrie I
Gloria I
Alleluia: Dextera Dei
Alleluia: Christus resurgens
Credo III
Offertory: Iubilate Deo universa terra
Offertory hymn: Ad Regias Agni Dapes
Sanctus I
Agnus Dei I
Communion: Dum venerit Paraclitus with Ps. 33
Recession: Regina Caeli Laetare (Solemn Tone)

Saturday, April 20, 2013

A Meditation on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

Who can doubt anymore the heavy price paid by Our Lord Jesus Christ for our sins?

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Third Sunday after Easter

For April 21, 2013 which is the Third Sunday after Easter, we are going to sing:

Procession: Hail Redeemer, King Divine (C. Rigby)
Vidi aquam
Introit: Iubilate Deo
Kyrie I
Gloria I
Alleluia: Redemptionem
Alleluia: Oportebat
Credo I
Offertory: Lauda, anima mea
Offertory hymn: Regina Caeli (solemn tone)
Sanctus I
Agnus Dei I
Communion: Modicum with Ps. 33
Recession: O Lord, I Am Not Worthy

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

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Second Sunday after Easter

For April 14, 2013 which is the Second Sunday after Easter, we are going to sing:

Procession: At The Lamb's High Feast We Sing
Vidi aquam
Introit: Misericordia Domini
Kyrie I
Gloria I
Alleluia: Cognoverunt discipuli
Alleluia: Ego sum pastor bonus
Credo IV
Offertory: Deus, Deus meus
Offertory hymn: Ad Regias Agni Dapes
Sanctus I
Agnus Dei I
Communion: Ego sum pastor bonus with Ps 22
Recession: Christ The Lord Is Risen Today (AH#415) (tune: Llanfair)

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Friday, April 05, 2013

Low Sunday (Dominica in albis)

For April 7, 2013 which is Low Sunday, we are going to sing:

Procession: At The Lamb's High Feast
Vidi aquam
Introit: Quasimodo
Kyrie I (Lux et Origo)
Gloria I
Alleluia: In die resurrectionis
Alleluia: Post dies octo
Credo III
Offertory: Angelus Domini
Offertory hymn: Regina Caeli Jubila
Sanctus I
Agnus Dei I
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
Recession: Rejoice, O Mary, Heavenly Queen

Sunday, March 31, 2013

A Holy And Blessed Pascha To All! Christ Is Risen!

Christus resurrexit! Resurrexit vere!

Χριστός ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!

! המשיח קם! באמת קם

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Paschal Vigil

For March 30, 2013 which is the Paschal Vigil, we are going to sing:

Canticle: Cantemus Domino
Canticle: Vinea facta est
Canticle: Attende caelum
Litany of the Saints (until "Omnes Sancti et Sanctae Dei, intercedite pro nobis")
Canticle: Sicut cervus
Litany of the Saints (cont. from "Propitius esto, parce nobis Domine")
Kyrie I
Gloria I
Alleluia: Confitemini Domino
Tract: Laudate Dominum
Offertory hymn: Regina Caeli (A. Lotti)
Sanctus I
Communion hymn: O Filii Et Filiae
Communion: Alleluia (repeat after the end of Laudate Dominum)
Antiphon: Et valde mane
Canticle: Benedictus Dominus (repeat Antiphon Et valde mane at the end)
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 March 29, 2013 which is Good Friday, we are going to sing the following:

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

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Maundy Thursday

For March 28, 2013 which is Maundy Thursday, we are going to sing:

Introit: Nos autem gloriari
Kyrie IV
Gloria IV
Gradual: Christus factus est
Antiphon: Mandatum novum
Antiphon: Postquam surrexit Dominus
Antiphon: Dominus Iesus
Antiphon: Domine, tu mihi lavas pedes
Antiphon: Si ego Dominus
Antiphon: In hoc cognoscent omnes
Antiphon: Maneant in vobis
Antiphon: Ubi caritas
Offertory: Dextera Domini
Offertory hymn: Benedictus Qui Venit
Sanctus IV
Agnus Dei IV (end with "miserere nobis" instead of "dona nobis pacem")
Communion: Dominus Iesus with Psalm 101: 2–3, 5, 18

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

Hymn: Pange lingua gloriosi

During stripping of the altar:

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

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Palm Sunday

For March 24, 2013 which is the 2nd Sunday in Passiontide (Palm Sunday), we are going to sing:

Antiphon: Hosanna filio David (before blessing of palms)
Antiphon: Pueri Hebraeorum, portantes (during distribution of blessed palms) followed by Psalm 23
Antiphon: Pueri Hebraeorum, vestimenta (during distribution of blessed palms) followed by Psalm 46
Antiphon: Cum angelis (during procession)
Hymn to Christ the King: Gloria, laus (during procession)
Responsory: Ingrediente Domino (on return to the church)
Introit: Domine, ne longe facias
Kyrie XVII A
Gradual: Tenuisti manum
Tract: Deus, Deus meus
Credo IV
Offertory: Improperium
Offertory hymn: Vexilla Regis Prodeunt
Sanctus XVII
Agnus Dei XVII
Communion: Pater, si non potest followed by Ps 21: 2, 3, 5, 7, 15cd, 17ab, 17c–18,
22, 23, 24, 28, 30c–31a, 31b–32
Recession: To Jesus Christ, Our Sov'reign King

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Passion Sunday

For March 17, 2013 which is Passion Sunday (1st Sunday of Passiontide), we are going to sing:

Procession: O Kind Creator
Asperges me
Introit: Iudica me, Deus
Kyrie XVII A
Gradual: Eripe me, Domine
Tract: Saepe expugnaverunt
Credo I
Offertory: Confitebor tibi, Domine
Offertory hymn: Vexilla Regis Prodeunt
Sanctus XVII
Agnus Dei XVII
Communion: Hoc corpus with Ps 22: 1–2a, 2b–3a, 3b, 4ab, 4cd, 5ab, 5cd, 6ab
Recession: Crown Him With Many Crowns

Click on the links to hear samples where available. NOTE: No Gloria Patri at the end of the Asperges and Introit!

Monday, March 04, 2013

Fourth Sunday in Lent

For March 10, 2013 which is the Fourth Sunday in Lent, we are going to sing:

Procession: Nearer, My God, to Thee
Asperges me
Introit: Laetare Ierusalem
Kyrie XVII A
Gradual: Laetatus sum
Tract: Qui confidunt
Credo IV
Offertory: Laudate Dominum
Offertory hymn: Ave Maris Stella
Sanctus XVII
Agnus Dei XVII
Communion: Ierusalem, quae aedificatur with Psalm 121:3,4
Recession: Adoramus Te Christe

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Friday, March 01, 2013

Novena for the election of the Sovereign Pontiff

In this time of the interregnum, all are requested to participate in this novena for the election of the Sovereign Pontiff: Here is a link to a pdf with the prayers in Latin and English.

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Third Sunday in Lent

For March 3, 2013 which is the Third Sunday in Lent, we are going to sing:

Procession: Blessed Lamb
Asperges me
Introit: Oculi mei
Kyrie XVII A
Gradual: Exsurge Domine
Tract: Ad te levavi
Credo III
Offertory: Iustitiae Domini
Offertory hymn: Jesu, Salvator Mundi (B. Cordans)
Sanctus XVII
Agnus Dei XVII
Communion: Passer invenit with Psalm 83:4-5
Recession: Alas! And Did My Saviour Bleed (tune: Martyrdom)

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Second Sunday in Lent

For February 24, 2013 which is the Second Sunday in Lent, we are going to sing:

Procession: The Son Of Man (tune: Newman)
Asperges me
Introit: Reminiscere
Kyrie XVII A
Gradual: Tribulationes cordis mei
Tract: Confitemini Domino
Credo I
Offertory: Meditabor
Offertory hymn: Audi Benigne Conditor
Sanctus XVII
Agnus Dei XVII
Communion: Intellige clamorem with Psalm 5:2-4
Recession: God of Mercy And Compassion

Click on the links to hear samples where available.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Since it is Chinese New Year again, the topic of ancestral veneration done in certain Novus Ordo churches crops up again and here are some thoughts from yours truly and the response from Rev. Fr. Daniel Couture and Rev. Fr. Francois Lainey on this matter.

This is mostly in response to the articles written by Rev. Fr. Michael Cheah (of the Penang Diocese) part1, part2 and Deacon Sherman Kuek (Melaka-Johor Diocese)

Many Catholics in Malaysia of ethnic Chinese-descent are converts. I do not agree if it is done during Holy Mass. Even Fr. Michael Cheah concedes that it is to be considered as a 'para-liturgy', but you can't force everyone to take part in it if it is a 'para-liturgy'.

As a Chinese, we must also bear in mind the common pagan/superstitious belief that the spirit of the dead ancestor resides in the tablet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_tablet) a.k.a. 神主牌 or 神位 (seat of the spirit). See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancestor_veneration_in_China. I would think that the very idea of the dead having power or effect over the living descendants would have been anathema .

I still cannot find a valid reason why is there a need to do it in church, more so since it is also causing scandal among Catholics (Chinese and non-Chinese alike). We can visit the graves to clean it, but I don't see a need to offer joss-sticks, food, tea/wine, paper money, etc.

Some Catholics might not have those pagan/superstitious ideas when they perform the rites, but certainly it can't be said for all Catholics. Thus, I think Deacon Sherman Kuek's article is considered the moderate approach to this controversy.

"In other words, our way of evangelization should not make it more difficult than necessary for people to accept the Gospel. In the days of ancient China, to insist on terminating veneration rites actually scandalized the populace and prevented them from accepting the Gospel.

This cannot be said of most disapora Chinese today. It is reasonable to hold that neither forbidding nor permitting veneration of ancestral tablets would gravely affect the success of the Church’s mission to evangelize the Chinese community in a place like Malaysia.

If anything, non-Christians probably find it strange that Catholics would do such a thing in the course of performing our liturgical rites. It is perhaps wise to ask ourselves if such a practice truly serves its evangelistic purpose or if we do it just because we can."

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Response by Rev. Fr. Daniel Couture:

In all these matters, one has to remember some essential doctrinal issues:

1) At death the soul is separated from the body, is judged, and goes to heaven, purgatory or hell (we speak here of those who have reached the age of reasons “ancestors”)

2) We can only know for sure the state of a deceased soul in the case of a canonisation, when the Church, and only the Catholic Church, tells us that that soul IS in Heaven, and we can pray TO it. For all the other souls, we can only pray FOR them (although the saints do say that we can also pray TO the souls in Purgatory). (I do not enter here in the questionable modern canonisations.)

3) Reincarnation – in another person, an animal or a tablet – is absolutely false, both philosophically and theologically.

4) Souls separated from their body do not eat.

5) We can certainly honor the memory of our ancestors, honor their photo, out of filial piety, but it must have nothing that includes or implies their presence in a thing, their power of intercession, their material needs.

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Response by Rev. Fr. Francois Laisney:

Father Couture has given all good principles on the matter. There is one additional consideration that I would add: to distinguish between natural and supernatural veneration. But first of all, let us explain what is veneration.

To venerate, to honour, means to give a testimony to the excellence of someone, as St Thomas teaches. Now there are four kinds of excellence on earth that is given special honour:

1) excellence of knowledge: e.g. Nobel prices for scientists, titles (such as university titles: Doctor …), and even prizes in school (e.g. first prize of English, of science, of math, of history…)

2) excellence in virtue: e.g. military medals to reward the courage of some soldiers, even Olympic medals (for bodily virtue…)

3) excellence in authority: presenting arms when a general reviews his army, or titles given to people in authority (your lordship,…). This is given to government authorities, to judges, …

4) the special excellence of parents, which St Thomas explains is the excellence of being at the ORIGIN of what the children have: they received their life from their parents, and a very great many other things. If we would reckon how much we owe our parents, we would easily understand that we can hardly repay them enough. To honour them is to acknowledge this excellence that THEY have over us. Note that benefactors – in a much lesser way – also participate of that kind of excellence, and honour is due to them for that reason.

Now every one can easily see that in all these four domains, God possesses the supreme excellence:

1) He knows absolutely everything, not only which has existed, exist and will exist, but also all that could have existed if He had so created them… and above all the created things, He knows Himself comprehensively.

2) He possesses the supreme virtue, i.e. goodness in all His actions, His being is pure Act, pure Goodness. Thus He always acts with supreme wisdom, supreme goodness, fortitude, kindness, mercy, etc.

3) God possesses supreme authority, and all authority come from Him (Rom. 13:1)

4) God is at the origin of all created beings, of all good.

And in this matter of excellence, there is an essential difference between God’s excellence, which He possesses by Himself, not having received it from anyone, and any creature’s excellence, which is only relative: it always came ultimately from God, Who is the First Cause of all good and therefore of all excellence. God alone can be the FIRST in any of the above domains. He also is the source of life; parents only transmit life; He alone is the source of goodness; anyone else can only transmit goodness…

Therefore there is due to God a unique veneration, called Worship. It is a very grave sin to worship anyone else than God.

So now we come to my point. There are two levels of excellence: natural excellence and supernatural excellence. All the examples above were of natural excellence. But God also offers to men a supernatural excellence: sanctifying grace, a participation in the divine life. Not all men accept it and live it. It is received at baptism, is lost by mortal sin, is recovered by penance, grows through the Sacraments and prayer and the practice of good works, etc.

One can find also supernatural excellences of the four kinds expressed above:

1) the Doctors of the Church had an excellent knowledge of Revelation, of the Doctrine of Christ, and they receive for that reason a special honour: the title of Doctor of the Church.

2) Saints excelled in supernatural virtue, and receive the veneration of “dulia”.

3) those in authority in the Church: Pope, bishops, priests receive for that reason special honours.

4) Those priests and others who have given us the supernatural life in Baptism, the supreme Food in the Holy Eucharist, and many other supernatural benefits ought also to be honoured for that reason too.

Now the business of the Church is above all to give worship to God and in a lesser degree to give that supernatural honour to those who deserve it, i.e. to the Saints. It is also the business of the Church to pray for our departed relatives.

It is NOT the business of the Church to give NATURAL veneration to those who – even truly – deserve it: the Church does not confer Nobel prizes, Olympic medals, etc. Hence it seems to me that it is not befitting to have in the church the veneration of ancestors – which, when done without superstition, is perfectly legitimate, acknowledging all the good natural things one has received from them, as explained above. That natural veneration may well be done at home, when it is without superstition.

In order to clearly distinguish between the natural veneration of ancestors and the supernatural worship to God and (lesser) honour to the Saints, it is particularly important not to mix things up: venerating the ancestors in the church brings the danger to forget that essential difference. Thus it is not only out of place, it is also dangerously misleading.

It should be noted that when Pius XII permitted the veneration of ancestors, it was NOT in the churches, but only as a natural honour as explained above. To bring it into the churches is the wrong inculturation of Vatican II. It seems to me that this settles the matter. What do you think?