Mass of the Saints

Mass of the Saints is a simple chant-style Mass setting for parishes and schools. This Mass setting is sung regularly in the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) weekly broadcasts of Mass For You At Home (MFYAH). SHEET MUSIC AVAILABLE NOW at https://liturgicalsong.com/catalogs/m... BACKGROUND The process of composing this Mass involved me in a deep reflection on our Gregorian chant traditions. Mass of the Saints appeals to contemporary sensibilities while reflecting some of the tradition of Gregorian chant with respect to melodic and harmonic movement, intimate linkage to the liturgical action, and an immediate sense of prayer, dignity and beauty. In 2003, Pope John Paul II called for new compositions of liturgical music that would help evangelise the world. He specifically sought compositions suited to contemporary sensibilities that were imbued with the same spirit that inspired and shaped the Gregorian Chant repertoire. John Paul II recalled Pius X’s golden rule for liturgical music: “the more closely a composition for church approaches in its movement, inspiration and savour the Gregorian form, the more sacred and liturgical it becomes.” But he counselled against mere imitation: “It is not, of course, a question of imitating Gregorian chant but rather of ensuring that new compositions are imbued with the same spirit that inspired and little by little came to shape it.” Again in 2004, Pope John Paul II further encouraged this approach to liturgical composition when he awarded the Pontifical Academies Prize to the monks of Keur Moussa. In the past forty years, they have developed a vast repertoire of liturgical music that fuses Gregorian tradition with vernacular language, indigenous instruments and contemporary modal melodies. In 2008 I published an article on “The Pastoral Implications of John Paul II’s Chirograph for the Centenary of the Motu Proprio ‘Tra Le Sollecitudini’ on Sacred Music” (Worship 82/5 September 2008, pp 386-412). Mass of the Saints is an example of the pastoral approach suggested in that article, fusing the Gregorian tradition with contemporary music sensibilities. There is much in common between the Gregorian chant Mass settings and contemporary music idioms. A great example of this is the Gregorian Mass Setting VIII - Missa De Angelis (Mass of the Angels). Though the Latin texts and musical form are foreign to contemporary sensibilities, the melodies are very lyrical with a mix of melismatic and syllabic phrasing that is hypnotically prayerful and reflective. Mass of the Saints takes melodic and harmonic motifs from corresponding parts of the De Angelis Mass and develops and interprets them in the light of the new English translation of the Mass, the contemporary penchant for a metrical music substrate, and the use of contemporary accompaniment instruments such as piano and guitar. The Memorial Acclamations are based on development of the Sanctus motifs. The Gospel Acclamation takes its inspiration from the Alleluia proper for the Requiem Mass. Key characteristics of the original De Angelis and Requiem Mass Gregorian chant settings are a feature of Mass of the Saints - e.g. major key, mixture of melismatic vocalisations and lyrical syllabic melodies, use of pentatonic scale phrases, strong harmonic progressions and cadences, etc. The setting is intended for use with guitar or keyboard accompaniment. The Mass is particularly suited to communities with limited resources. There is no requirement for a choir. A cantor is helpful for the invocations of the Penitential Act and the Alleluia verses; otherwise these parts may be spoken. The setting can work well sung by the assembly without any accompaniment, or with accompaniment provided on guitar, piano or organ. The melodies and harmonies are contemporary and the setting works well when accompanied by a band including drums and bass guitar. I hope this combination of the new (texts and contemporary inculturation), with the traditional (traditional chant motifs, intimate liturgical linkage) will greatly assist evangelising the Gospel in parishes and schools around Australia. Paul Mason 22 November 2009 Feast of Christ the King (6th Anniversary of John Paul II’s Chirograph on Sacred Music)