1st Sunday of Lent

21 February 2010

Entrance	For God so loved the world (mtgf)
Penitential Rite	Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Psalm 91	Be with me Lord (Marty Haugen)
Gospel Acclamation	Lenten (mtgf)
Preparation of Gifts	Out of the Depths (Scott Soper)
Eucharistic Acclamations	Ubi Caritas (Bob Hurd)
Lamb of God	Mass of Remembrance (Marty Haugen)
Communion	Out into the wilderness (Bob Hurd)
Final	Guide me, O thou great Redeemer

The beginning of Lent sees one of the more dramatic changes in music for the Mass. For much the rest of year the changes are often staggered as one season connects with the next. With Lent change is starker. The Eucharistic Acclamations change for the first time since September. The Kyrie and, of course, the Gospel Acclamation are also different. It was noticeable as I animated the Holy, holy that people reached for their Mass sheet — that I was animating was also a sign that we were embarking on something new. Or at least give a refresher.

It is worth reflecting on what makes a piece memorable. Repetition is obviously one element. The memorability and distinctiveness of the melody will be another. It is also true to say that the more solemn (or unique) the occasion the more likely people are to remember settings — my experience is that people remember music from the Easter Triduum from year to year even if it is not used in between. The text can also play a part — the association of a melody with particular words.

This was the second time that we have used the Entrance Song For God so loved the world for the Sundays of Lent. Last year we sang it 5 times so I hope that there was a foundation to build on this morning. Though I think the refrain has a strong melody it does require a certain amount of conviction in its wide leaps — you can't sing it half heartedly.

For Communion the plan is to use for most of the Sundays settings from Bob Hurd's collection Lenten Journey. This skilfully recalls the readings from the context of Communion. My one quibble with collection is that it provides common settings for the first two Sundays because they share the same Gospel stories. My hunch is that each year is different and is shaped by the overarching themes of the Lectionary for that year. In year C we hear of the Temptations and the Transfiguration in the context of Covenant and Reconciliation. i.e. though there may be correspondences 'vertically' across the Sundays 1 and 2 the main thrust is horizontal through the season towards Easter.

Out of the Depths is a fine setting of Psalm 129 by Scott Soper. It is worth getting the octavo (rather than just the version in Laudate) for the, not difficult, choral parts.