Category Archives: Liturgical Music

Music For The Sprinkling Rite: From Your Side, O Christ

Posted on 20 June 2017 by

The last of five given Easter antiphons for the Rite of Sprinkling is an old, traditional text. The allusion is clear: the soldier plunging his spear into the side of the dead body of Jesus and from there, acclaiming him … Continue reading →

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Music For The Sprinkling Rite: O Chosen Race

Posted on 15 June 2017 by

The fourth choice for a Sprinkling Rite antiphon in the Roman Rite’s Easter Season comes from the New Testament. The context is the first letter of Peter, chapter 2 verse 9, part of a larger discourse on God’s house, built … Continue reading →

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Music For The Sprinkling Rite: You Springs

Posted on 11 June 2017 by

The third option for a Sprinkling Rite antiphon in the Roman Rite’s Easter Season comes from the long litany in the third chapter of Daniel. You remember the story: three young Jews who refuse to worship their king’s golden statue are hurled into … Continue reading →

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Ministers of Liturgical Music, Directors: SttL 45-47

Posted on 31 May 2017 by

The last of the music ministries discussed in the US Bishops’ 2007 document Sing to the Lord: the director. This person is defined first as a collaborator: A professional director of music ministries, or music director … (works) with the bishop or … Continue reading →

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Ministers of Liturgical Music, Instrumentalists: SttL 41-44

Posted on 27 May 2017 by

Early in their document, Sing to the Lord, the US bishops review the various ministerial roles within liturgical music. Writing of any instrumentalists, the bishops remind us of their purpose with regard to the song of the assembly: “lead and sustain … Continue reading →

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Ministers of Liturgical Music, The Cantor: SttL 37-40

Posted on 25 May 2017 by

The third music ministry examined by the US Bishops’ document Sing to the Lord is the cantor. Thanks to my consistent experiences in getting small choirs recruited to serve at multiple Masses, I’ve only occasionally worked with cantors. Official church … Continue reading →

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Ministers of Liturgical Music, The Psalmist: SttL 34-36

Posted on 22 May 2017 by

Paragraphs 28 through 47 of the US Bishops’ document Sing to the Lord reviews the various ministries within liturgical music. A few days ago, we looked at the role of the choir (SttL 28-33). Today, we consider the psalmist (34-36) as a … Continue reading →

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