Today, a look at the liturgical moments before the Gospel:
7. The second reading is followed by the Alleluia or the Tract. The Alleluia chant is arranged in this way: Alleluia is sung completely, with its melismatic neume, by the cantors and is repeated by the choir. If appropriate, it can even be sung by all. The verse is presented by the cantors, up to its end; after that is done, Alleluia is repeated by all.
During Lent, in place of Alleluia the Tract is sung; its verses are sung in alternation by two parts of the choir responding to each other, or by a cantor and choir. The last verse can be sung by all.
8. The Sequence, if there is one, is sung after the last Alleluia, in alternation by cantors and a choir, or by two parts of a choir, omitting the Amen at the end. If the Alleluia is not sung with its verse, the Sequence is omitted.
A few observations:
I’d like a peek at the Latin original; it’s not entirely clear to me if “all” means the entire music ministry or the whole assembly.
The Sequence is placed after the Alleluia. This makes for a rather awkward liturgical moment: in the US people customarily stand for the start of the Gospel Procession. Standing for a Sequence, especially a performance one, would be an interesting conclusion to the procession, especially when people (and clergy) expect the proclamation of the Gospel.
If the Alleluia is not sung, or not sung with the verse, the Sequence is omitted. My guess is that this text instructs that if a community isn’t singing the Gospel Acclamation, they shouldn’t recite the Sequence. Singing a verse wouldn’t seem to be the determining factor. Perhaps Paul Ford or Richard Chonak could shed some light.
Note: I appreciate Richard’s translation of the Latin original of the OCM’s second edition (1988).
