Behind the Liturgy: The Music

Music is one of the most powerful means of communication. It communicates various emotions straight to the heart: joy, excitement, fear, sadness, enthusiasm, wonder, praise… Music can even make us move without our awareness. How often have you caught yourself swaying or your foot tapping without having deliberately chosen to do so but because you were literally moved by the music? Or how often have you vividly relived a very specific memory and all of the emotions connected to it just by hearing the beginning few notes of a song? These are just small examples of how powerful music really is to everyone.  

On a personal level music has always been an important part of my life. Not necessarily for the activities in which I’ve been involved (although I did play the alto sax in Jr. High Band and have loved singing since I was a little girl), but because of its ability to accompany me in a moment, to change my mood from just okay to joyful, and to help me express myself in prayer. My parents tell me that at 15 months I was singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”, and one of my favorite ever received Christmas gifts from Santa was my very own karaoke machine. Since entering community I’ve discovered the gift of being able to guide others in a moment of prayer through song and have continued to realize how important a form of praise music is for me in my own personal prayer. 

Music is also very important in the Mass. When accompanying signs, symbols, readings, and realities, music has the power to help orient us to understand the message, the tone, and the theme of the day and the liturgical season. For this reason song choice really is not at all irrelevant to the overall experience of the Mass. We can see this very obviously at a time like Christmas when almost all of the songs have a joyous melody and lyrics that speak about the “New born Savior” and the “long awaited King”. These hymns, often familiar to us, help us more immediately enter into the right mood for the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

So with all of this in mind, I was not indifferent to the song selection of the Mass of my consecration. In fact, I prayed for months about what songs should accompany what moments. Not only did I want songs that I loved but also songs that could help to create an atmosphere that favored the full participation of all present. One of my greatest desires for this day is to provide the possibility for all to truly enter into the Mass and meet Jesus there. 

So with that said, here is my song line-up, why I picked each one, and what I hope it helps us to experience…

Opening Hymn: Praise to the Lord

The opening hymn has the important job of starting off the Mass and really setting the tone. It is the song that accompanies the entrance of Christ into the sanctuary. Christ is represented by the celebrant of the Mass (in this case the Bishop) as well as by the book of the Word of God which is usually brought in during the opening procession. Therefore this song aims to be joyful and full of praise as we all stand to welcome our beloved Lord who has called us to His banquet! 

Offertory Hymn: The King of Love My Shepherd Is

The offertory hymn is sung while the gifts of bread and wine are being brought to the altar. It is also the transition between the two main parts of the Mass: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. I chose the King of Love my Shepherd Is first of all because it is one of my most favorite hymns. It has a sweet melody and its lyrics come from one of the most beloved psalms of all time: Psalm 23. Secondly, the words speak of trust in the provision of the Lord, our Good Shepherd, who sets a table before us and fills our cup to overflowing. These all seemed to me to be appropriate themes for an assembly who is about to take part in the Eucharistic Feast. 

Communion Hymns: Jesus My Lord My God My All; Eat this Bread

As implied by its name, the communion hymn serves to accompany the faithful in their receiving of Christ’s Body and Blood. Often these hymns either recall a theme in the readings or speak to the great and mysterious gift of the Eucharist. I chose two hymns that I believe are both beautiful and helpful in living this most important moment of the Mass. The first (Jesus My Lord My God My All) is a prayer to Jesus in the Eucharist asking for the grace to love Him “as we ought.” The second (Eat this Bread), quotes different scripture passages in which Jesus Himself speaks about His Body and Blood offered to us as our food. 

Thanksgiving after Communion Hymn: Behold

Thanksgiving after Communion is a very important practice for my community. In fact, part of our daily prayer is to remain at least 10 minutes after we have received Jesus to really make communion with Him. We often explain this practice with an analogy of a long awaited friend who has finally entered into your home. When he arrives you don’t just sit him on the couch and then run off to do other things. No, you stay and chat a while, enjoying his presence. And so with Jesus who comes to us so intimately in the moment of communion. To accompany us in this moment I chose the song “Behold” which puts Mary’s Magnificat into song. I like this version because of the way that it sings directly to the Lord: “And Holy is YOUR Name.” I hope that all present can truly make Mary’s words their own and sing to God with Mary’s same wonder and awe at His greatness. 

Closing Hymn: Love Divine All Loves Excelling

The closing hymn is one of triumph and praise. The Mass has ended. We have received the Bread of Life; and now we are called to go forth with Him to share this joy with all we meet. Again, I chose a song that can bring us to our feet and help us marvel at the Lord’s great and merciful love for us.

In this post I only wrote about the main hymns of the Mass. I’ll leave the rest as a surprise! For those who will be attending my consecration, I offer you the friendly challenge of allowing yourself to be moved by the music, to feel with the music, and to enter into the music that accompanies each moment…and please, sing along!

I also want to shout out a couple of thanks to some very special people. Mike and Laurita (Music Director and Assistant Music Director at St. Mary's) who enthusiastically helped me with song selection and have been very available to listen to my desires and help me find the best way to fulfill them. I also thank in advance the St. Mary's Student Choir who I know will so beautifully bring to life these very songs and do their part in helping the music lead us to a more full experience of the Mass. 

"The aim and final end of all music should be none other 

than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul." 

- Johann Sebastian Bach