Gregorian Musical Forms

To sing is to pray twice!

Music in your soul?? Looking for a way to more fully participate in the liturgy?? We have formed a Vocal Group under the direction of Edith Newman to sing at the Sunday 9 a.m. Mass. The group will perform unaccompanied music with an emphasis on Gregorian Chant. A love of music, commitment and a willingness to work hard are the only requirements. Practices are held on Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the Rectory and on Sunday at 8 a.m. in the chapel.

New members are ALWAYS welcome!!!

Click on Image for better view

Gregorian Musical Forms

The Gregorian Chant repertoire is vast and can be intimidating to those of us new to it or rediscovering it after many years. It is helpful to divide this huge amount of music into three broad categories: Proper of the Mass: Ordinary of the Mass; Divine Office.

The Proper of the Mass

The Proper of the Mass refer to those parts of the liturgy that are unique to the day. Specifically they are: the Introit; the Gradual; the Alleluia; the Offertory antiphon; the Communion antiphon. The Introit is what we know as the entrance antiphon and is primarily meant to set the tone for the liturgy and secondarily serve as a processional for the priest and ministers. The Gradual is the Responsorial Psalm that is sung after the first reading. Originally it was chanted by the Deacon while standing on the stairs leading up to the pulpit. The Latin for ‘stairs’ is gradual, hence the name. The Alleluia is the verse chanted just before the Gospel. Alleluia is a Hebrew word meaning God be praised and is accompanied by a verse frequently from the New Testament. During Lent the more ancient Tract, an Old Testament verse, is substituted. The Offertory antiphon is referred to by St. Augustine so we know it was in use in North Africa and Rome in the 4th century. It is best thought of as a ‘musical offering’ though in the modern liturgy it also serves as processional music. The Communion antiphon usually refers specifically to the Eucharistic Sacrifice. It is intended to set a reverent and spiritual tone for the communicants. The Proper as a whole is intricate even florid music. It is almost contradictory in nature as contained within the Gregorian form is a fervent indeed an exuberant expression of faith. Such difficult music is not necessarily meant to be sung by the entire congregation but is rather the province of the Schola (Gregorian choir) and soloists. In recent times we have substituted hymns for the Proper of the Mass. While this is permitted it is not encouraged. Indeed, the Vatican feels so strongly about this that they have published the Graduale Simplex. This book contains simplified chants for use by small congregations and churches rediscovering chant. Here at St. Thomas during Advent and Lent we forgo the opening hymn and chant the Proper Introit.

The Ordinary of the Mass

The Ordinary of the Mass is the unchanging part of the Liturgy: the Kyrie; the Gloria; the Sanctus; the Agnus Dei. These, of course, need no explanation. They are written in a simpler more melodic even ‘popular’ manner. As such, they are intended to be sung by the entire congregation. Here at St. Thomas we are familiar with two Mass settings; Mass VIII (Mass of the Angels) and Mass XVII (Sundays in Advent and Lent). You may or may not be pleased to know that the Sacramentary contains in excess of twenty Mass settings. We have much to explore!

The Divine Office

The Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours is the great public prayer of the church. Unfortunately, though recited privately by many religious and lay people it is now sung in only a few monastic houses. The two forms specific to the Office are: the antiphon; the hymn. The antiphons are meant to frame the recitation of the psalms. They range from the simple and melodic to the intricate and florid. There are more than 4,000 antiphons in the repertoire, vast indeed! The hymns are proper to the Divine Office although we have adapted many of them to the Mass. A hymn is sung at the beginning of each ‘Hour’ and is intended to set the tone for the office. Here at St. Thomas we hope to begin a monthly Vespers Service in the near future.

What if I would like to know more?

Join us. We welcome new voices. We work hard but we have fun and learn a lot.

For additional information regarding
The Gregorian Chant
click on the music!

Two Churches Joining as ONE Family Together in Love		Gregorian Choir
Two Churches Joining as ONE Family Together in Love
		To sing is to pray twice! Music in your soul?? Looking for a way to more fully participate in the liturgy?? We have formed a Vocal Group under the direction of Edith Newman to sing at the Sunday 9 a.m. Mass. The group will perform unaccompanied music with an emphasis on Gregorian Chant. A love of music, commitment and a willingness to work hard are the only requirements. Practices are held on Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the Rectory and on Sunday at 8 a.m. in the chapel. New members are ALWAYS welcome!!! Click on Image for better view Gregorian Musical Forms The Gregorian Chant repertoire is vast and can be intimidating to those of us new to it or rediscovering it after many years. It is helpful to divide this huge amount of music into three broad categories: Proper of the Mass: Ordinary of the Mass; Divine Office. The Proper of the Mass The Proper of the Mass refer to those parts of the liturgy that are unique to the day. Specifically they are: the Introit; the Gradual; the Alleluia; the Offertory antiphon; the Communion antiphon. The Introit is what we know as the entrance antiphon and is primarily meant to set the tone for the liturgy and secondarily serve as a processional for the priest and ministers. The Gradual is the Responsorial Psalm that is sung after the first reading. Originally it was chanted by the Deacon while standing on the stairs leading up to the pulpit. The Latin for ‘stairs’ is gradual, hence the name. The Alleluia is the verse chanted just before the Gospel. Alleluia is a Hebrew word meaning God be praised and is accompanied by a verse frequently from the New Testament. During Lent the more ancient Tract, an Old Testament verse, is substituted. The Offertory antiphon is referred to by St. Augustine so we know it was in use in North Africa and Rome in the 4th century. It is best thought of as a ‘musical offering’ though in the modern liturgy it also serves as processional music. The Communion antiphon usually refers specifically to the Eucharistic Sacrifice. It is intended to set a reverent and spiritual tone for the communicants. The Proper as a whole is intricate even florid music. It is almost contradictory in nature as contained within the Gregorian form is a fervent indeed an exuberant expression of faith. Such difficult music is not necessarily meant to be sung by the entire congregation but is rather the province of the Schola (Gregorian choir) and soloists. In recent times we have substituted hymns for the Proper of the Mass. While this is permitted it is not encouraged. Indeed, the Vatican feels so strongly about this that they have published the Graduale Simplex. This book contains simplified chants for use by small congregations and churches rediscovering chant. Here at St. Thomas during Advent and Lent we forgo the opening hymn and chant the Proper Introit. The Ordinary of the Mass The Ordinary of the Mass is the unchanging part of the Liturgy: the Kyrie; the Gloria; the Sanctus; the Agnus Dei. These, of course, need no explanation. They are written in a simpler more melodic even ‘popular’ manner. As such, they are intended to be sung by the entire congregation. Here at St. Thomas we are familiar with two Mass settings; Mass VIII (Mass of the Angels) and Mass XVII (Sundays in Advent and Lent). You may or may not be pleased to know that the Sacramentary contains in excess of twenty Mass settings. We have much to explore! The Divine Office The Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours is the great public prayer of the church. Unfortunately, though recited privately by many religious and lay people it is now sung in only a few monastic houses. The two forms specific to the Office are: the antiphon; the hymn. The antiphons are meant to frame the recitation of the psalms. They range from the simple and melodic to the intricate and florid. There are more than 4,000 antiphons in the repertoire, vast indeed! The hymns are proper to the Divine Office although we have adapted many of them to the Mass. A hymn is sung at the beginning of each ‘Hour’ and is intended to set the tone for the office. Here at St. Thomas we hope to begin a monthly Vespers Service in the near future. What if I would like to know more? Join us. We welcome new voices. We work hard but we have fun and learn a lot. For additional information regarding The Gregorian Chant click on the music!








































































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