Adoration of the Magi (detail), 1488 Tempera on wood, Spedale degli Innocenti, Florence   And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:13-14) In our journey through all the sung parts of the Mass, we now come to the Gloria in excelsis Deo – “Glory to God in the highest” - which in our Roman Rite is heard in every Sunday Mass  outside of Advent and Lent. In the Byzantine Rite, this same text is sung in the Orthros (Matins) service on Sundays a ..read more

  Introductory Note As a preliminary note to this blog, I'd like to respond to a recent helpful comment from one of my readers. Regarding the Penitential Act, she pointed out how it is not merely an occasion for us to exercise the proper dispositions I had mentioned; it is also a sacramental gift which imparts grace and the forgiveness of our venial sins – even when our dispositions are less than perfect. Now while I had assumed that those who read this would already have understood and embraced this truth, I can see – thanks to this person's comment – how important it is for all of us t ..read more

  In the present revised form – the “Ordinary” form - of the Roman Liturgy, the initial Sign of the Cross and greeting are followed immediately by the Penitential Rite, which consists of a general acknowledgment of sin and concludes with the Priest's absolution. It is not meant to be, nor can it be, a substitute for the individual reception of the Sacrament of Penance (Confession).  Rather it is intended as a fitting act of humility and contrition in preparation for the Mass, in which we also receive the grace of forgiveness for whatever venial sins we might have committed since our ..read more

  ...in the choosing of the parts actually to be sung, preference is to be given to those that are of greater importance and especially to those which are to be sung by the Priest or the Deacon or a reader, with the people replying, or by the Priest and people together. [i] ...the active participation of the whole people, which is shown in singing, is to be carefully promoted... [ii] Again we return to the emphasis of the Second Vatican Council, and subsequently of the GIRM, on the “full and active participation” of the faithful in the Sacred Liturgy. And as the Council docume ..read more

  Christ Washing The Feet Of The Apostles, 1438-1445, Fra Angelico When the Entrance Chant is concluded, the Priest stands at the chair and, together with the whole gathering, signs himself with the Sign of the Cross. Then by means of the Greeting he signifies the presence of the Lord to the assembled community. [i] With the Sign of the Cross, the Priest recites or chants the words, “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” This gesture and these words, prayed by all the Catholic faithful on so many occasions, are packed with meaning that can easily be over ..read more

  The Introit Gaudeamus omnes ("Let us all rejoice") from the 14th–15th century Graduale Aboense. The word “Introit” (pronounced  ĭnʹ troyt or  ĭn-trōʹ-ĭt) is a shortened form of the Latin antiphona ad introitum, meaning “antiphon at the entrance”. It is normally the first part of the Mass to be sung [i], and it is intended to accompany the procession of the priest, deacon, and servers into the sanctuary of the Church. In doing so, it also calls all present to be attentive to the momentous event which is beginning to take place. Here is what the GIRM (General Instruction of th ..read more

  Fundamental Criteria Let's begin by reviewing three essential principles articulated by the Second Vatican Council, which provide a clear and reasonable basis for the choice of music in the Liturgy of the Roman Rite. Notwithstanding the controversy which the Council and its documents have at times elicited, these principles, when read in the light of the Scriptures and Sacred Tradition, represent timeless truths. Here they are: The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art... [This] treasure of sacred music i ..read more

  Announcements I am very happy to announce the resumption of my regular blogs and podcasts on the renewal of Catholic sacred music, beginning on January 6th (the traditional date of the Epiphany.) The rather long hiatus since my last post has been due to the strict pandemic restrictions placed upon us, as most parishes and choirs have been prohibited from singing, and many people's minds have been focused on other more pressing issues.  But now, thanks to the kind requests and encouragement of readers and listeners, near and far away, I look forward to re-embarking upon this journ ..read more

  My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior...[i] So begins the Blessed Virgin Mary's joyful poem of praise, as recorded by St. Luke, which has become one of the great “theme songs” of Christianity throughout its long history. In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, as well as in the Lutheran and Anglican Traditions, it is sung every evening by those who celebrate Vespers or Evensong. In the Eastern Orthodox Churches and the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches, it is sung every Sunday morning as part of their Orthros (Matins) service. In all Christian communities ..read more

  Cloître de l'abbaye de Fontenay, Bourgogne, FRANCE Photo: Christophe Finot Our Lord says to the Samaritan woman at the well: “God is spirit, and those who worship him  must worship him in spirit and truth.” [i] At this point in our reflections, it can be helpful to take some time to meditate on these words, as they indicate the whole point to which our sacred music must be oriented: to assist ourselves and others to truly worship God - to fully adore him - in the context of the Catholic Liturgy. And once more I need to make clear that I am not speaking with the authority of a pri ..read more