The St. Mungo Singers hold a Requiem Mass each year for deceased members. This year the Mass took place in St. Leo’s, Dumbreck on 19 February. In addition to current choir members, it was attended by relatives and friends of those who had died.
Noel Donnelly on clarsach
As the congregation gathered, Dr. Noel Donnelly played gentle airs on the harp. The service then began with his setting of “How Blest are Those”, followed by the plainsong Requiem Aeternam and the Introit for All Souls Day.
As you would expect for a St. Mungo Singers requiem, everything that it was appropriate to sing was sung. The penitential rite was Martin Morran’s “You raise the dead to life in the Spirit”, the psalm Ps.15 and the Gospel acclamation “God loved the world so much”.
At the intercessions, the choir sang Gerry Fitzpatrick’s setting of “Remember those, O Lord” before the names of deceased members were read out as candles were brought to the sanctuary in remembrance. The intercessions were completed with the singing of “May the souls of the faithful departed”.
At the preparation of the gifts, the beautiful Matheson hymn, “O love that wilt not let me go” was sung, leading into the sung Eucharistic Prayer. The Communion Antiphon was Noel Donnelly’s “Come to me”, and at the end of the Mass, all joined in singing “Receive their Souls” before the joyful “Thine be the Glory” reminded us of our Christian hope of eternal life for those who had gone before us. All in all, it was a beautiful celebration for those who had given their gifts to the service of the Church in the ministry of music, as well as an opportunity to experience how much beautiful music is available to us for funerals and remembrance services.
Members of the St. Mungo Singers and congregation with the concelebrants, Mgr. Gerry Fitzpatrick and Fr. Hugh O'Donnell after the Mass
