Mass for Commissioning of Catechists
October 17, 2009
This year, we have celebrated another unique service in the Archdiocese of Glasgow, this time in Our Lady of Good Counsel church. The service was a Mass of Commissioning for Catechists for service in the Archdiocese. A group of 17 candidates, all ladies, were presented for commissioning, having successfully completed two years of study under the new Catechesis course run jointly by the Archdiocese and the University of Glasgow. Read more
Argyll & Isles Diocesan Choir Pilgrimage to Salamanca
October 17, 2009
What a way to start – 4 o’clock in the morning at Glasgow Airport! Well it was meant to be a pilgrimage so I suppose we couldn’t complain, and indeed, as the group from Argyll & the Isles Diocese (choir members and friends) assembled, they looked remarkably cheerful in spite of the pouring rain and, in some cases, not having been to bed at all! Read more
St. Mungo Singers’ Pilgrimage to York
October 15, 2009
The St. Mungo Singers have a reputation for working hard but balancing this with time out together. Every second year they have a week-long pilgrimage – in the past this has included Rome, the Holy Land, Malta and Salamanca – and in between they keep their hand in with a weekend away. Read more
Scots Hymn supplement for Feast Days
October 2, 2009
Scots Hymn supplement for Feast Days
A collection of hymns, songs and resources for feast days in Scotland will be launched by St Mungo Music in February. The contents include music, prayers and intercessions for feast days.
Some of the hymns are popular ‘Golden Oldies’ which are no longer available in contemporary hymnbooks, others are taken from the St Andrew Hymnal which is no longer in print, and others are contemporary.
They include: hymns for the feasts of Sts Ninian of Galloway, Columba, Mungo, Patrick, Our Lady, Margaret , Joseph, John Ogilvie, Eunan or Adamnan, St Bride, St Andrew, Blessed John Duns Scotus, Gregory the Great, Peregrin, and even a setting of a Litany of Celtic saints. A Workshop launching this book is being planned for February
The musical Preface is:
Preface
The hymn has a long history in Christian worship but an uneven one! The songs of the bible were given a special respect, but, strange as it may seem to us now, non-scriptural material was not always so readily accepted. From the 4th century until the period of the Reformation, hymns by writers such as St Ambrose, St Hilary, Rabanus Maurus, Venantius Fortunatus , Hermannus Contractus, St Bernard, St Thomas Aquinas and others seem to have been used in Morning and Evening Prayer, but not usually in the Eucharistic liturgy.
At the Reformation Luther and his followers created and used hymns both to instruct people and to allow them to participate more easily in public worship. Calvinists rejected any songs that were not scripture, but they promoted the metrical psalms very effectively, while Roman Catholics continued to use Latin.
By the late 18th century English writers such as Isaac Watts and John Wesley were paraphrasing scripture especially the psalms, and they then moved on to writing devotional songs. Catholic liturgy was still in Latin but there was an outburst of creativity in vernacular hymn writing for devotional use from early in the 19th century by Fr Faber (Sweet Saviour Bless us; By the blood; Faith of our fathers; Jesus gentlest saviour; Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all; Most ancient of all mysteries; Mother of mercy; My God, how wonderful thou art; O come and mourn with me; O Purest of creatures . . . . . ), by John Lingard, and many others including Cardinal Newman (Firmly I believe; Praise to the holiest. . . . ). Attention was also given to vernacular translations of some of the hymns from the first millennium.
I mention this because the immense creativity in hymn writing that took place after Vatican 2 was not something completely new! Rather, it was a renewal of what had begun more than 100 years previously – at about the same time as liturgists and musicians were beginning to think of restoring plainsong to the Church’s life in response to the excesses of secular styles in the music of the Mass – and its purpose was to promote faith, understanding, a sense of the holy - to provide people with accessible tools for public prayer.
Some of our favourite hymns of 50 years ago - many of them by Fr Faber -’ date from the middle of the 19th century and they were written for parish ‘devotions’ or ‘Benediction’ or ‘the Novena’ but not for Mass. When our liturgy moved into the vernacular, then naturally many of these hymns – since it took time to find a new repertoire of music for the texts of the Mass – began to be used during Mass, but they were not exactly ‘fit for purpose’ having been created for something else! Our repertoires began to be enriched by hymns taken from the Reformed and Anglican traditions – such as Praise to the Lord the Almighty; The Lord’s my Shepherd (Crimond); Praise my soul; The church’s one foundation; Alleluia Sing to Jesus; The day thou gavest; There is a green hill; For all the saints; Mine eyes have seen the glory; O Perfect love; O Thou who at thy eucharist; Thine be the glory; Lord of all hopefulness; Now the green blade riseth; Christ be beside me; Be thou my vision . . .. .
Even before the Council writers and composers in Scotland were adding their contribution – people like Francis Duffy, Mother Turnbull, Joseph McHardie, William McLelland, David McRoberts, Charles Fraser, Desmond Gunning, John McQuaid, and many others.
With the altered expectations in liturgy after the Council, contemporary writers such as James Quinn SJ set out to create songs for the liturgy, hymns which were suitable for mass and other occasions : O Come, O Come; Sing all creation; This day God gives me (St Patrick 7th c); Christ be beside me; This is my will; Where true love; the Seven Last Words; the St John Ogilvie hymn and many others particularly in ‘New Hymns for All Seasons’
The Iona Community began to make a difference in hymn singing through John Bell and Graham Maule : Will you come and follow me; I cannot measure; Jesus Christ is waiting; Lord Jesus Christ. . . . The music of Taize – such as O Lord hear my prayer; Jesus remember me; the St Louis Jesuits, Hubert Richards, Damian Lundy and many others helped to change the way we pray.
When the St Andrew Hymnal came out in 1964 it was just a bit late for its full value to be appreciated at that time. The attention of parish priests and musicians was on finding music for the liturgy and the call of the Vatican Council to ‘full, conscious, active participation’ was understood to refer primarily to the liturgical texts of the Mass, specifically to those parts which are assigned to the congregation: the Kyrie and Gloria, the Psalm Response and the Gospel Acclamation, the Sanctus, Memorial, great Amen, the Agnus Dei and the Communion Song.
Clearly, hymns continue to be immensely valuable to promote faith and its expression, for feast days and special occasions, and to provide repertoire for ecumenical services, but they have a limited place at Sunday Mass, and careful planning will ensure that we get a chance to enjoy them but their use doesn’t crowd the liturgy or lengthen it unduly!
This small collection of hymns and songs, many of them from the St Andrew Hymnal and others created since for specific occasions, is offered for those who will find them useful for special occasions and feast days in Scotland, whether in school or church. There are many other hymns and songs, new and old, which hopefully will be made available in future collections.
Gerry Fitzpatrick,
Director of Music,
Archdiocese of Glasgow
Psalms and Songs of the Bible Book 1
October 2, 2009
A new Publication from St Mungo Music
Psalms and Songs of the Bible Book 1
This collection of psalms and canticles is the first of a set of three, and includes versions of psalms 1, 4, 8, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24. It also includes The Benedictus, the Magnificat, the Canticle of Ezechiel (to the tune ‘Slane’ and with optional descant and choir parts), and 3 versions of the canticle from Philippians 2:6-11. The settings have been made by associates of St Mungo Music in Glasgow. Some of the material is already on our
There is an introduction on ‘the psalm’ by Noel S Donnelly (which can be seen on this website under Liturgical Resources), and The Preface is as follows:
‘This collection of psalms and canticles is the first of a set of three. The settings have been made by associates of St Mungo Music in Glasgow. Some of the material is already on our website and more will follow. On stmungomusic.org.uk you will be able to read the words, see and print the music and, often, listen to the psalms or canticles being sung.
The psalm settings have been written for a variety of occasions and singers and it will be noticed that some are very simple while others make more serious demands on the psalmist. It is fair to suggest that In the more than forty years since the 2nd Vatican Council the increased attention we have given to scripture and our growing familiarization with the psalms both in liturgy and in private prayer has been of immense spiritual benefit to us. The Canticles or songs of the Bible too have practically been rediscovered. For most people the very word ‘canticle’ has implied The Song of Mary, or of Simeon or Zechariah – the Benedictus, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis of the Prayer of the Church. Now we are more aware of other biblical songs from both the old and the new Testaments and of their value to us who have inherited so much of faith from the people of Israel and the Christian community of Apostolic times.
The Archdiocesan Music Committee gladly acknowledges the generosity of the St Mungo Singers and the many cantors who have so kindly allowed recordings made in St Leo’s, St Albert’s, St Paul’s, Shettleston, St Michael’s, Dumbarton, Ibrox Parish Church and Pluscarden Abbey to be used to assist singers develop their repertoire.’
Gerry Fitzpatrick,
Director of Music,
Archdiocese of Glasgow August 2009
A workshop for launching this book is being planned for November 5th
St. Mary of the Assumption – the Pro-Cathedral of Glasgow
September 1, 2009
With the closure of St. Andrew’s Cathedral for major repair and renovation work, the Archdiocese of Glasgow experienced an unusual and, for the majority of those attending, a unique service, the marking of the establishment of a church as Pro-Cathedral where the Archbishop’s chair (his “cathedra”) will be placed until the Cathedral is once more available. As the Mass leaflet for the service noted, the cathedra is the “sign of the Archbishop’s teaching office and pastoral power in the diocese and of….the unity of believers”. The creation of St. Mary’s as Pro-Cathedral was marked by a Mass at which Archbishop Conti formally took his seat in the sanctuary and the Decree creating St. Mary’s new status was read.
Appropriately the Mass was held on 15 August, the Solemnity of the Assumption. The church was beautifully decorated for the occasion and a number of priests, including Mgr. McElroy, the Adminstrator of St. Andrews, and Mgr. Smith, the Parish Priest of St. Mary’s, joined the Archbishop for the celebration. The music of the Mass was led by the St. Mungo Singers.
The service opened with the Magnificat. The Psalm of the feast is Psalm 44,which was sung to the setting by Dr. Noel Donnelly. The Marian theme was continued with the hymn “Mary the Dawn and Christ the light of day” during the preparation of the gifts. After the Communion, the Archbishop inaugurated the Blessed Sacrament Chapel, as the congregation sang “Sweet Sacrament Divine”. The Mass finished with the singing of “Salve Regina” and the recessional hymn “Mary, Full of Grace” (to the tune of “O Sanctissima”).
In his homily, Archbishop Conti, who had celebrated the Vigil of the Assumption in St. Andrew’s Cathedral before its closure, referred the congregation to the readings of the Mass. The people of Israel in the first reading were a people on the move. The Church too is a pilgrim people and God is with us, not in the Ark of the Covenant but in the Eucharist wherever it is celebrated. The Feast of the Assumption confirms us in our faith, for Mary bore the Lord in faith before she conceived him in her womb.
St. Margaret of Scotland Hospice: Mass of Thanksgiving on 2 July 2009
July 14, 2009
As Cardinal O’Brien said in his homily, the Sisters of Charity had organised everything, even the weather, for their celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the death of their founder, Mother Mary Aitkenhead and the formal blessing of their new Mary Aitkenhead Centre for the elderly. Read more
Diaconate Ordinations for Archdiocese of Glasgow 28 June 2009
July 14, 2009
The sense of joy and celebration was palpable even before you entered St. Mary’s, Calton. Welcoming banners and beautiful tubs of flowers greeted people as they assembled from all parts of the Archdiocese to witness the historic ordination of our first permanent deacons. Read more
Ecumenical Vespers of St. Paul 21 June 2009
July 14, 2009
Last June, St. Kessog’s held an Ecumenical Vespers to launch the celebration of both the Year of St. Paul and the parish’s Golden Jubilee. This June they closed both years in similar fashion. Fr. Fitzgerald welcomed parishioners and visitors, including the Rev. Derek Bibb of the Methodist Union and the Rev. Sally Gorton of St. Mungo’s Episcopal Church, Fr. McElwee and Mgr. Gerry Fitzpatrick and the St. Mungo Singers for the celebration which opened with the singing of Noel Donnelly’s new hymn written for the Year of St. Paul, “St. Paul of Tarsus” to the tune of “For all the saints”. Read more
Glasgow the Homecoming City
July 4, 2009
The annual “Glasgow the Welcoming City” service goes from strength to strength. This year, it linked in to the Homecoming Celebrations and included participants from an even wider spectrum than last year to provide a colourful, exciting and lively experience.
Willie Park welcomes the congregation
Groups from last year including the Southside Fiddlers, the Christian Asian community, members of the Afro-Scottish Social Heritage Group, the St. Mungo Singers and instrumentalists were joined by the Govan Citadel Salvation Army Band, members of the Stewart School of Dance, the Gaelic League Singers and members of the Scots Gaelic community. Read more
