Grassroots Liturgist

Today we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday.   This term comes from the first word of the Entrance Antiphon for Holy Mass on this day: “ Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her.   Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exalt and be satisfied at her consoling breast .” This antiphon is based on Isaiah 66:10-11, part of the last chapter of Isaiah.   The people are called to rejoice with Jerusalem, a city that suffered afflictions and troubles and was destroyed, but was now being rebuilt with God’s help, and there will be plenty for everyone.   Jerusalem’s destruction was a cause for mourning, but those who have mourned her demise need mourn no more. But it wasn’t only the fabric of the city that was to be restored, for that would be meaningless; God’s nation, the people whom he loves, would also be restored. These words of prophecy speak to us today, as we enter the final days of our Lenten pilgrimage.   They foretell the great Pas...

Our music group plays at the Vigil Mass every fortnight.  On the alternate weeks I lead the singing unaccompanied.  Strangely, our small congregation often - though not always - sings more heartily when there is no accompaniment. I know that we are not alone in this.  Talking with other music leaders, and reading liturgy forums, I know that this happens elsewhere.  I'm not entirely certain why this is the case, and I'm sure that there are a number of reasons, but it does mean that we don't need to afraid of leading unaccompanied singing. Hymn singing is a recent phenomenon in the Catholic Mass.  More traditional is the singing of Processional Songs or Chants.  Put simply, these are similar to the Responsorial Psalm in that there is an antiphon (response) sung by everyone and verses from a psalm sung by a cantor(s).  We use John Ainslie's " English Proper Chants ".  If we had an organist we would doubtless make use of that; instead we sing the ...