Mystical Body, Mystical Voice in Bend = Success!

What does the opening scene of the movie The Voyage of the Dawntreader have to do with the new translation (3rd edition) of the Roman Missal? A group of parishioners from the Bend area can probably explain it after their participation in a workshop sponsored by the Society of St. Gregory the Great on Friday and Saturday, November 11-12.

The workshop concerned the changes in the Mass that will be evident starting the first Sunday of Advent when the third edition of the Roman Missal is formally and officially put into use. Pastors of many parishes in the Diocese of Baker have begun to use at least some of the revised responses of the people. Changes in the priest’s prayers won’t be heard till November 27.

The USCCB has said:

The entire Church in the United States has been blessed with this opportunity to deepen its understanding of the Sacred Liturgy, and to appreciate its meaning and importance in our lives…Musicians and parishioners alike should soon be learning the various new and revised musical settings of the Order of Mass.

People will be paying more attention to the Mass because of the changes – that’s what gives us the opportunity to deepen our understanding of the liturgy. There’s something to talk about: why have these changes been made?  But if we simply take a utilitarian, mechanical attitude toward it, we’ll just say, “Let’s just learn the new words and get on with it.”

There’s much more to it than that!  And that’s what this workshop is about.

This workshop is based on a program is called Mystical Body, Mystical Voice, which was created by a priest and a layman with extensive education in the liturgy; it’s produced by the Liturgical Institute. Based on sacramental theology and the liturgical rites of the Church, it’s not just a mechanical instruction in what’s changing and how we “do” it; it’s also about understanding the beauty of what the new translation has to offer. It’s about enriching our knowledge of and participation in the Mass. And we’re talking about participation in a deeper sense than simply being a part of the choir, or serving as a lay minister, or usher, etc.

The facilitator for the presentation was Dr. Judith (Jay) Boyd, who also serves as vice-president of the Society of St. Gregory the Great. The workshop included both video segments of dynamic speakers addressing the issues, as well as comments by Dr. Boyd, and discussion amongst the attendees. Participants were reminded of the rich Catholic heritage that lies beneath the surface of the Liturgy, building on 2000 years of Christianity as well as several thousand years more of our roots in Judaism. The Mass is more than it appears on the surface, and participants were led into a renewal of their understanding of the liturgy's spiritual depths and its true meaning.

Another important focus of the workshop in Bend – as well as the one given recently in The Dalles - was the value and beauty of a "sung" Mass. The new edition of the Missal contains more music than previous editions, and the USCCB is encouraging priests and the faithful to reclaim some of the lost traditions of the Church by singing the Mass from start to finish. Participants at the Bend workshop practiced singing the responses, and saw the way the simply chant melodies draw one into the liturgical celebration and move one’s heart and mind toward God.

So, what does The Voyage of the Dawntreader have to do with all of this? It's worth your time to attend a workshop and find out! To schedule one in your parish, contact Stephanie Swee at 541-550-0832, or email her at swee0574@gmail.com.

SSGG's Schola Assists at Masses in Prineville, Madras

Part of the mission of the Society of St. Gregory the Great is to enhance all legitimate forms of worship, and to add some Latin chant to Novus Ordo English Masses in the Diocese of Baker.  

To this end, the Schola Cantorum of the Society of St. Gregory the Great visited St. Joseph Church in Prineville on October 29, and sang some of the Latin chants for the 6pm Saturday night Mass. Four members of the schola sang the first chants of the Kyrie Simplex for the Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei; they sang the Gloria from the Missa de angelis.  

The Schola also sang an English hymn at the beginning of Mass; the offertory hymn was Adoro te, devote; and the chant Ave Verum was sung for Holy Communion. As a recessional, the simple Salve Regina was chosen.

This was the Schola’s second visit to St. Joseph’s. Father Robert Greiner, pastor of St. Joseph’s, was happy to welcome the schola back. He sang most of the prayers and responsories of the Mass. Since there is no one who normally sings at the Mass except Father Greiner, it was an occasion he wanted to celebrate with as much singing as possible. This puts him right in step with the intentions of the US Bishops: the new Roman Missal contains more music than any previous edition, and the Bishops are encouraging priests to sing their parts of the Mass.

The Schola has also sung at St. Patrick Church in Madras. The pastor, Father Luis Flores-Alva, has invited them to return at the end of November. Father Flores-Alva is currently having his choir trained to sing a simple Latin Mass, as well as a Mass written in both English and Latin.

This is all in keeping with the documents of Vatican II, which state that the faithful should be able to sing Latin chants for the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei – and this is the minimal level of knowledge to be expected.  Besides reflecting the mind of the Church, the use of Latin and Gregorian chant in the Mass can also be a unifying factor in multicultural congregations.

The Society of St. Gregory the Great is willing to help any parish or choir who desires assistance with the Latin chants. A monthly chant workshop is held in Bend. In addition, on November 11-12, we are hosting a “Mystical Body, Mystical Voice” workshop which addresses the changes that we’ll be experiencing with the new translation beginning on November 27.  

See the side bar for more information on the workshops, or contact Stephanie Swee at swee0574@gmail.com or Judith (Jay) Boyd at drjayboyd@msn.com with any questions.