Music & Liturgy Musings
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord: Candlemas
Posted by Anthony Gallina on 2/01/22
This Wednesday, February 2, is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. In the Traditional Latin Mass, it is known as the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Celebrated since the fourth century beginning in Jerusalem, it is one of the oldest feasts in the Church. This feast ... Read More »
The Final Song in the Liturgy: What is it Called and How Should We View its Purpose?
Posted by Anthony Gallina on 1/20/22
Singing in the liturgy has always been of the utmost importance even from the earliest days of the Church. Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship says this: “Obedient to Christ and to the Church, we gather in liturgical assembly week after week. As our predecessors did, we find ... Read More »
The Evangeliary and Symbols of the Evangelists
Posted by Anthony Gallina on 1/14/22
Beginning on Christmas, hopefully you noticed a difference with the Evangeliary (Book of the Gospels) as Dcns. Paul or Dave carried it in procession. A parishioner donated funds to purchase a beautiful leather and brass cover. The stamped gold foil on the cover of the Evangeliary has worn off and the parishioner offered ... Read More »
The Roman Martyrology
Posted by Anthony Gallina on 1/07/22
The Roman Martyrology
On the Sunday before Christmas, I wrote about the Christmas Proclamation from The Roman Martyrology. This liturgical book, which sadly nowadays is fairly obscure, is a list of over 7,000 saints and blessed of the Church. The first edition of The Roman Martyrology was authorized under ... Read More »
All About the Christmas Octave
Posted by Anthony Gallina on 12/22/21
Marry Christmas! From yesterday through January 1, the Church celebrates the Octave of Christmas where each of these days is another Christmas and is treated the same as December 25. In the Liturgy of the Hours, the psalms are the same each day. At Mass, the Gloria is sung and if The Roman ... Read More »
The Christmas Proclamation
Posted by Anthony Gallina on 12/22/21
As we hear of many times in the Scriptures, important events are announced by way of a proclamation. The Church, whether in or outside the liturgy, also has many instances of ritual proclamations. Two formal proclamations fall during the Christmas season. The first is on Christmas night, where prior ... Read More »
Rejoice! The Lord is Near
Posted by Anthony Gallina on 12/10/21
Gaudete! Rejoice! This day is called Gaudete Sunday because of the first word of our entrance antiphon from Philippians 4 which comes from the Latin root gaudium meaning “joy.” Our Advent is half over and in her wisdom, Mother Church calls us to rejoice because the Lord is near. Today marks a break in ... Read More »
Friday Penance
Posted by Anthony Gallina on 12/10/21
Last week I noted how Advent really can (and should) be a penitential season. Did you know that every Friday is a day of penance too? In last week’s article I cited the Code of Canon Law 1250 which says, “The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of ... Read More »
The Season of Advent: Waiting in Joyful Hope
Posted by Anthony Gallina on 11/24/21
The Season of AdventWaiting in Joyful Hope With First Vespers (Evening Prayer I) on November 27, the Season of Advent begins and it goes all the way to the afternoon of December 24. As noted two weeks ago, the Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar says, “Advent ... Read More »
Consecutive Holydays of Obligation - What to Do?
Posted by Anthony Gallina on 11/24/21
Consecutive Holydays of Obligation:The Solemnity of Christmas and the Feast of the Holy Family
In a little over a month, we will celebrate the birth of our Lord and this year Christmas happens to be on a Saturday. The next day (Sunday) is the Feast of the Holy Family.We ... Read More »