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Views from the Choir Loft

An FYI on EP in the OF – Part 3

Andrew R. Motyka · June 12, 2013

For Part 2 of this series, please click HERE.

AST WEEK, we covered the reading and responsory during Evening Prayer. This week, we will wrap up the liturgy with the Gospel Canticle, Intercessions, and the Our Father.

The Gospel Canticle for Evening Prayer is the Magnificat, or the Canticle of Mary. This timeless text is the high point of this liturgy. Historically, this piece has been executed as a choral piece. There are countless settings of it by many composers. The magnitude in which the Magnificat outnumbers an other musical setting of the canticle shows how much more popular this particular Hour was among the general public throughout time. Simply put, the people came to pray at Vespers, and this song is the climax of that prayer.

Its format is exactly like those of the psalms: the proper antiphon is followed by the canticle itself, followed by the doxology, and rounded out by the repetition of the antiphon. It can be executed in the same way that the psalms are, but I would comment that it seems awkward in this case to interrupt this text after each verse to sing an antiphon or refrain. It is not specifically forbidden, but I would argue that it’s in bad taste. This is definitely the time to “do it up.” If you have a choir, this is a good time for them to shine. Make this the high point of the liturgy.

Following the Magnificat are the Intercessions. These are just like the petitions offered at Mass. There is typically a specific response given in the ritual, tied to the given day or feast. Other than that, it is straightforward. Consider chanting these in the same way you would at Mass.

The Lord’s Prayer follows the Intercessions. This is common prayer; let the people sing this.

The proper prayer of the day rounds out the liturgy. This is proclaimed by the priest or other leader. The final blessing is either the normal one offered by the priest, or the formula:

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

if prayed in common.

I hope this series has been of some use to those of you with little experience praying the hours. This beautiful liturgy is the prayer of the whole Church, and deserves more attention in the local parishes. Let us all offer our thanks to God in prayer and song through the beauty and tradition of the Hours.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Andrew R. Motyka

Andrew Motyka is the Archdiocesan Director of Liturgical Music and Cathedral Music for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

Quick Thoughts

    “Glory To God” • (For Choir + Congregation)
    I wish to thank everyone for the nice comments I received vis-à-vis my Glory To God setting for Choir & Congregation. A gentleman with a musical doctorate from Indiana University wrote: “Love this setting so much. And I will pray, as you asked, for your return to composition more fully. You are very very good.” A female choir director wrote: “I love your harmonizations, your musicality, and the wonderful interplay you have with dissonance and consonance in your music. So fun to listen to, and great for intellect, heart, and soul!” A young woman from California wrote: “Thank you for releasing your new Glory To God in honor of Saint Noel Chabanel. I'm enjoying reading through the various parts and listening to your recordings.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    William Byrd • “Mass for Five Voices”
    Our volunteer choir is learning the “Sanctus” from William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices. You can hear a short excerpt (recorded last Sunday) but please ignore the sound of babies crying: Mp3 recording. We still have work to do—but we’re on the right track. Once we have some of the tuning issues fixed, I desire to use it as an example proving volunteers can sing complicated polyphony.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Baptism” • A Unique Hymn
    Father Christopher Phillips is the founding Pastor of Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church. One of his hymns is unique and (in my humble opinion) quite beautiful. His hymn is basically a prayer to the Holy Trinity but also speaks of Baptism and the Holy Eucharist. It would be an ideal Communion hymn on Trinity Sunday or the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. You can hear live recording from last Sunday by clicking here.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“The following question is asked by the Most Reverend Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Chur: May this Diocese’s ancient custom be continued of having the Celebrant in Sung Masses (excepting more solemn Masses) intone the Credo and when he is finished reciting it going on immediately to the offertory and finishing it while the credo is being sung by the choir?” (Dubium of Dec 1909)

— 11 December 1909

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