From the Friars: Learning About the Mass

Regular Mass-goers at Holy Rosary Shrine have likely noticed that our English choir sings the proper antiphons at the entrance, offertory and communion. They are called proper because they are specifically chosen for each Mass, like the Scripture readings which are proper for each Mass. These antiphons, along with their Psalm verses, are meant to be sung. In the last twenty years or so, thousands of Catholic Churches have rediscovered the proper antiphons.

One reason that we chose the Source and Summit Missal is because they provide excellent resources for singing the proper parts of the Mass and appropriate hymns. They also include approved English translations of the offertory antiphons, which have been ignored for some time in most places.

Our Spanish Misal del Dia has the Antífona de Entrada and the Antífona de la Comunión. We may switch to a Spanish Missal that includes the offertory antiphon.

The main reason why I am writing about this is because the most important thing we do is worship God, and most especially in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Liturgy is a work of Jesus Christ the High Priest and His Mystical Body. The words that have the Holy Spirit for their author are a great gift to us to nourish our souls and help us give ourselves to the Father in union with the Son.

The proper antiphons are those words. A good hymn may inspire us emotionally but, objectively, singing the Mass propers is far more efficacious.

Some have complained that singing the propers makes the Mass too long. I would encourage everyone make the effort to open their pew missal and sing along, or at least meditate on the divinely inspired words given to us. For example, the entrance antiphon for today’s Mass is from Psalm 37: “I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord forever.”

This truth can transform our lives.

God bless you.

Fr. Peter