To: All priests
From: James Cavanagh, Director
Date: August 15, 2019
Re: Singing the Preface and other parts of the Mass
Music workshop for Priests: How to sing the Preface and other parts of the Mass
1. Tues. Sept. 24, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Sacred Heart, Red Bluff
2. Tues. Oct. 15 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Holy Spirit, Fairfield
3. Tues. Oct. 22, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Pastoral Center, Sacramento
Dear Fathers,
One of most beautiful parts of the Mass is the Preface. It’s meant to be sung, but many priests lack the confidence or the skill to sing it. In this workshop you will be given the opportunity to practice singing the Preface with some coaching. We’re offering this workshop in three different locations for your convenience. Lunch will be provided. FREE. Register online: https://scd.formstack.com/forms/priestworkshop
From Diocese of Sacramento.
Good for them! When I was a practicing Lutheran, the priest always sang the Preface and other parts of the mass, and generally, they did quite well. I was surprised to learn that Catholic pirests generally don’t sing the mass. I myself am a horrible singer, but I wa taught how to chant, and as far as I know, I didn’t deafen anyone or cause them to run from the sanctuary in horror!
Save us from priests with very poor singing voices. Is the Bishop trying to bring back Gregorian Chant [which does not work in American English]?
Well I agree with the latter part of your comment, but some priests who do not sing well give great sermons and are proficient in many languages. Very few have all the talents.
The current missal did a fine upgrade on the preface chants in English. I submit neither of you have heard them done well. Come to St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Julian or Santa Ysabel Indian Mission, Santa Ysabel any given Sunday and hear them done the way the Church intended
Thank you for the info. I do know that many of the priests in the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter sing the Mass in liturgical English, but the Book of Divine Worship that I have also has the contemporary English. Do you know if the English in the English Mass in the article is similar? Is there a website where one can listen to this chant?
In the ancient era when Christianity began, it was the custom to sing or to chant during the sacred liturgies. Speaking was viewed as vulgar and worldly, unfit for worship of God. The ancient Jews had Jewish chant for their services. Today, Jewish cantors still go to a special school, to learn sacred Jewish chant. Christian monks, from ancient times, did not speak their prayers– they were sung, in Gregorian Chant.
The Hebrew chanting of Azi Schwatz for 9/11 was both beautiful and heartrending.