Third Edition
27 November 2011
On the Gradual Introduction of the Revised Sung Mass Parts for the Roman Missal
In their June meeting, the United States Bishops introduced the option to begin using some of the revised SUNG responses of the Roman Missal beginning in September at the discretion of the Bishop of each Diocese. Therefore, in response to the concerns expressed by many pastors and liturgical musicians, Bishop Joseph McFadden gives permission to the parishes and institutions in the Diocese of Harrisburg to begin using the following responses whenever they are SUNG at any parish/school/institution Mass: the Gloria, the Sanctus, the Memorial Acclamation, the Amen, and the Agnus Dei.
This permission takes effect on Sunday, September 4, 2011 (or its anticipation at the Vigil Mass on Saturday, September 3, 2011). NOTE: because there are no changes to the text, new settings of the Amen and the Agnus Dei can be introduced immediately. Any Latin setting of the Ordinary of Mass is already permitted at any time.
When these responses (i.e. the Gloria, the Sanctus, the Memorial Acclamation) are RECITED, the current translation of the Mass is to remain in force. Permission is not extended to incorporate any other texts from the revised translation of the Roman Missal at this time. All other texts, including the prayers invoked quietly by the priest or deacon, continue to be drawn from the current Sacramentary until November 27, 2011, when the entire revised text, whether sung or recited, becomes mandatory for the English-speaking Church.
If a parish is able to introduce all of the sung Mass responses beginning September 3/4, they may proceed as such. The month of August should be used to introduce the music to the Assembly before Mass. Care must be taken in all circumstances to adequately prepare the Assembly to sing the new acclamations; therefore, instruction before Mass is required for all parishes.
In the case of those parishes who wish to incrementally introduce the revised sung Mass parts, the following schedule is to be followed:
- August 27/28: Teach the Sanctus, the Memorial Acclamation, the Amen, the Agnus Dei, before Mass
- September 3/4: Teach the Sanctus, the Memorial Acclamation, the Amen, the Agnus Dei, before Mass
- September 10/11: Review before Mass, then sing the Sanctus, the Memorial Acclamation, the Amen, the Agnus Dei at Mass
- September 17/18: Sing the Sanctus, the Memorial Acclamation, the Amen, the Agnus Dei at Mass
- September 24/25: Teach the Gloria before Mass, then sing the Sanctus, the Memorial Acclamation, the Amen, the Agnus Dei at Mass
- October 1/2: Review the Gloria before Mass, then sing the Gloria, the Sanctus, the Memorial Acclamation, the Amen, the Agnus Dei at Mass
- October 8/9: Use all the revised sung Mass parts [note: this Sunday begins the Diocesan wide six-week Catechesis on the new translation]
- October 15/16: Use all the revised sung Mass parts
- October 29/30: Use all the revised sung Mass parts
- November 5/6: Use all the revised sung Mass parts
- November 12/13: Use all the revised sung Mass parts
- November 19/20: Use all the revised sung Mass parts
The ICEL chants for the Memorial Acclamation should be seen as having priority over any other setting throughout the Diocese, as well as the simple chanted Amen that complements it. It is also preferred that a sung-through Gloria (without a refrain) be used; although, settings composed with refrains may be deemed useful in this time of transition.
In addition to the ICEL chants, which can be found through the USCCB website (http://www.icelweb.org/musicfolder/openmusic.php), the two new Mass settings that will be used at Diocesan events will be The Mass of St Frances Cabrini (K. Keil) and The Mass of St Gregory the Great (L. Mayernik). Both can be purchased through OCP (www.ocp.org). Parishes are free to select whatever Mass setting best suits the pastoral needs of their parish, while at the same time integrating as much of the Diocesan recommended settings throughout this next year. Another resource for free Mass settings can be found through the Corpus Christi Watershed Project (www.ccwatershed.org).
