About this blogger:
Richard J. Clark
Richard J. Clark has served since 1989 as Music Director and Organist at Saint Cecilia Church in Boston, Massachusetts. He is also Chapel Organist (Saint Mary’s Chapel) at Boston College. For the Archdiocese of Boston, he directed the Office of Divine Worship Saint Cecilia Schola. His compositions have been performed on four continents.
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“I still haven’t made up my mind whether I shall publish it all. Some people are so humorless, so uncharitable, and so absurdly wrong-headed, that one would probably do far better to relax and enjoy life than worry oneself to death trying to instruct or entertain a public which will only despise one’s efforts, or at least feel no gratitude for them. Most readers know nothing about canon law. Many regard it with contempt and find everything heavy going that isn’t completely lowbrow. Some are so grimly serious that they disapprove of all humor. Others come to different conclusions every time they stand up or sit down. They seize upon your publications, as a wrestler seizes upon his opponent’s hair, and use them to drag you down, while they themselves remain quite invulnerable, because their barren pates are completely bald, so there’s nothing for you to get hold of.”
— St. Thomas More to Peter Gilles, 1516

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Communion Antiphons for Lent • RCIA and Scripture
published 8 January 2016 by Richard J. Clark

AM PLEASED to announce the release of my Communion Antiphons for Lent with World Library Publications. These thirteen antiphons are set from the English translation of the Roman Missal, Third Edition. All the verses set are those prescribed by Graduale Romanum.

This collection is also very useful as Candidates and Catechumens prepare for full initiation at the Easter Vigil. The Cycle A antiphons of the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent tie in closely to each of the Scrutinies, reflecting the related Gospel reading.

This is generally the case with all communion antiphons, as they all point back to the Gospel or another important scripture of the day. Likewise, the verses, usually from the Book of Psalms, reinforce the day’s scriptures. For example, in the case of the antiphon for Palm Sunday, Father, if this chalice cannot pass… the verses are from Psalm 22, which is also the Responsorial of the day. But the seven verses of the communion proper dig even more deeply into the psalmist’s foretelling of the Lord’s Passion. Furthermore, it concludes with Psalm 22’s promise for all generations to remember and serve the Lord. Such scriptures make for a profound meditation while receiving our Lord in the Eucharist.

With regard to RCIA, a responsibility shared by all of the faithful, it is important that we pray and sing these scriptures in support of those seeking God’s call. This remains true not only during Lent, but during the period of mystagogy and beyond. It is the work of a lifetime.

Scores are available in hard copies or digital format:

Order • View sample pages:
Octavo • “Communion Antiphons for Lent” (for SATB Choir; Cantor; Assembly)

“Click & Print” • PDF Download:
PDF • “Communion Antiphons for Lent” (for SATB Choir; Cantor; Assembly)

• All are chant based.
• Can be sung with cantor or unison schola
• Ample opportunity for optional SATB

HERE YOU CAN LISTEN to recordings of seven of the thirteen communion propers directed by Paul French. French and his singers beautifully captured the joy, movement, and energy of these chant based works.

Propers, World Library Publications



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