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Click on the coming Sundays to download sheet music and sound files of the sung Proper of the Mass. The sound files are unaccompanied (a-cappella) to replicate as closely as possible the conditions of individual practice at home. Three versions:

• Roman Gradual, in Latin (the universal and official music of each Mass)
• Two English translations: a very simple one, and another closer to the original Latin.

Sunday, September 26, TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Sunday, October 3, TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

In 1963, as a result of the Ecumenical Council Vatican II, Pope Paul VI promulgated the ” Constitution
on the sacred liturgy”. One of the early paragraphs links “proper disposition” to “minds…attuned to.. voices”.

11. But in order that the liturgy may be able to produce its full effects, it is necessary that the faithful come to it with proper dispositions, that their minds should be attuned to their voices, and that they should cooperate with divine grace lest they receive it in vain. Pastors of souls must therefore realize that, when the liturgy is celebrated, something more is required than the mere observation of the laws governing valid and licit celebration; it is their duty also to ensure that the faithful take part fully aware of what they are doing, actively engaged in the rite, and enriched by its effects.

Constitutution on the sacred liturgy (1963)

What does that mean? Should we not think before we speak? Should we not tune our voice to our minds, not the reverse? There is an exception: when our voice carries the Word, the Logos. To understand, it is helpful to read what St Benedict’s rule 19 for singing the Psalms has been:

CHAPTER 19. THE DISCIPLINE OF PSALMODY We believe that the divine presence is everywhere and
that in every place the eyes of the Lord are watching the good and the wicked (Prov 15:3). But beyond the least
doubt we should believe this to be especially true when we celebrate the divine office. We must always
remember, therefore, what the Prophet says: Serve the Lord with fear (Ps 2:11),and again, Sing praise wisely
(Ps 46[47]:8); and, In the presence of the angels I will sing to you (Ps 137[138]:1). Let us consider, then, how
we ought to behave in the presence of God and his angels, and let us stand to sing the psalms in such a way that our minds are in harmony with our voices.

The Rule of St Benedict (written in 516AD)

Singing the Mass is like singing the Word, or singing the Logos. When we sing the Mass, our minds should be in harmony with our voices. This other excerpt of Vatican II’s Constitution on the sacred liturgy then takes its full meaning:

116. The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy

The National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) invited Adam Bartlett to present the Source & Summit revolutionary missal and digital platform. NPM is dedicated to the protecting the income of pastoral musicians, and they know that the “big box missals”, down 60% in sales, are on their way out…. Source & Summit is showing the future of liturgical music publication.

If as a music minister in your parish, you choose the music to be sung, this whole video is a must-watch. The digital platform recently launched by Source and Summit will be a revolution for the music we pray at Mass for the decades to come. The demo starts at 25:00 in the video.

For all others the explanation of the relationship between liturgical, devotional, evangelizing and cultural types of music that happens between 7:00 and 25:00 will be the best you’ll hear and watch in 18 minutes…

The St Benedict quote explained at 20:00 in the video (“mens nostra concordet voci nostrae”), on its own, is worth a good week of prayerful meditation… Great video!!!

Authentic and affordable… And in English, for those who prefer it. This interview sums up why parishes need to move away from “big box” missalettes…

The Liturgy! Everybody speaks about it, writes about it, and discusses the subject. It has been commented on, it has been praised, and it has been criticized. But who really knows the principles and norms by which it is to be put into practice?

Pope St John Paul II – October 1985

If you found the five minutes above interesting, consider listening to the other 4 hours and 55 minutes, FREE OF CHARGE, at the link below…

FREE Online class by the Liturgical Institute : https://liturgy.teachable.com/p/an-introduction-to-the-sacred-liturgy

This is the best article I have read, so far, on the recent Motu Proprio “Traditionis Custodes”. The author repeatedly opposes the liturgy to the consumerist culture. Beauty requires gratuitousness, which is another way of describing the “Active Participation” required in the Catholic liturgy. Consumerism has invaded both forms of the Mass. An example? Music. As long as Catholics in the pews do not sing spontaneously, without hired instrumental support, then church singing is another form of sub-contracting a “chore” we are too proud to do ourselves… The active participation in the Liturgy described by Pius X, Pius XII and of course all the popes since Vatican II, cannot be sub-contracted. Let us get consumerism out of our liturgies…