Music for the Season of
“Music arises out of silence and returns to silence. God is revealed both in the beauty of song and in the power of silence. The Sacred Liturgy has its rhythm of texts, actions, songs, and silence. Silence in Liturgy allows the community to reflect on what it has heard and experienced, and to open its heart to the mystery celebrated. … The importance of silence in the Liturgy cannot be overemphasized.” (STL, 118)
During the season of Lent, we are invited to pare back or strip away the “extras” – to enter into a simpler way of life. That’s one of the reasons for fasting. That simplicity is to be applied to the Sacred Liturgy also. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM #313) reminds us that part of Lent’s solemnity and starkness pertains not only to the aesthetics of the worship space, but also to the musical choices made. Organ and other instrumental music during Lent should be limited to supporting vocal or choral music and should not be used on its own to ornament or “fill in” other moments.
As we begin Lent here at Christ, Prince of Peace, you’ll notice this simplicity in a few different ways. The first thing you’ll notice is that the presider will not process in to begin Mass. Mass will instead begin with the priest seated at the presider’s chair before we all stand for the “Call to Worship,” which will be sounded by the chiming of a hand bells and incense rising from the brazier.
After this simple gathering, the cantor or choir will lead us in singing the Gathering Rite setting by James Chepponis titled, “The Time of Fulfillment.” The antiphon we will be singing – “This is the time of fulfillment! The reign of God is at hand!” – is from the Gospel for the First Sunday of Lent, Cycle B. The remainder of the gathering rite includes a verse for cantor or choir for each Sunday of Lent drawn from each day’s Gospel. From there we continue into the greeting and penitential rite with the chanting of the Kyrie. The Gloria and the word “Alleluia” are omitted during the season of Lent.
Lent is also an excellent opportunity to invite the congregation to sing a cappella, that is, without accompaniment. In addition to singing the gathering rite without accompaniment, we will also make use of singing other portions of the Mass a cappella such as the “Holy” (Sanctus XVIII), “Mystery of Faith” (We Proclaim Your Death, O Lord), “Great Amen” and “Lamb of God” (Agnus Dei XVIII).
With these simple a cappella chant melodies we will experience part of the rich musical tradition of our Church with which Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship invites us to be familiar.
I hope that Lent is a time of fulfillment for you, as we journey together through the season of Lent to the joyful celebration of Easter.
Jeremy A. Boyer
Director of Liturgical Music
CANTORS:
PLEASE be sure to practice "The Time of Fulfillment" by James Chepponis before your assigned Mass. It needs to be rehearsed enough that you are able to sing it unaccompanied!
Click on the recording below to hear it, and you can download the sheet music by clicking here.
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Practice with a YouTube video of "The Time of Fulfillment" by clicking here.
Thank you.