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Views from the Choir Loft

Why It is Truly Right and Just to Sing the Preface

Richard J. Clark · June 26, 2015

HE PREFACE, perhaps like other parts of the Liturgy of the Eucharist can at times be easily overlooked or tuned out. Yet most often, there is something very unique and special about the Preface.

Under the The Eucharistic Prayer” the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) states:

364. The numerous Prefaces with which the Roman Missal is endowed have as their purpose to bring out more fully the motives for thanksgiving within the Eucharistic Prayer and to set out more clearly the different facets of the mystery of salvation.

Like the Creed, the Preface is a unique place in the Mass where dogma of the Church is expressed. Furthermore, it expresses thanksgiving for the work of salvation.

”…The thanksgiving (expressed especially in the Preface), in which the Priest, in the name of the whole of the holy people, glorifies God the Father and gives thanks to him for the whole work of salvation or for some particular aspect of it, according to the varying day, festivity, or time of year.

ITH A NAME LIKE “PREFACE” it connotes something less important. Relatively speaking, it is less important than the consecration. However, giving thanks for the work of salvation certainly deserves greater dignity of proclamation! It warrants singing. Proclaimed by the Head—the priest acting in persona Christi capitis—it is prayed by the entire body. It is another act of unity.

An astounding example of the Preface “setting out more clearly the differ facets of the mystery of salvation” is from the Nativity of John the Baptist, June 24:


THE MISSION OF THE PRECURSOR

In his Precursor, Saint John the Baptist,

We praise your great glory,
for you consecrated him for a singular honor
among those born of women.

His birth brought great rejoicing;
Even in the womb he leapt for joy
at the coming of human salvation.
He alone of all the prophets
pointed out the Lamb of redemption.

And to make holy the flowing waters,
he baptized the very author of Baptism
and was privileged to bear him supreme witness
by the shedding of his blood.

I find these words to be extraordinary. To sing them is truly right and just.

You may download all the chanted Prefaces of the liturgical year (as well as all music from the Roman Missal) here.

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 Richard J. Clark

Richard J. Clark is the Director of Music of the Archdiocese of Boston and the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

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I’m still trying to decide how to visually present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores, using what is (technically) the official rhythm of the Church. You can download my latest attempt, for this coming Sunday. Notice the “trochee trouble” as well as the old issue of neumes before the quilisma.

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16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

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—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

The “Nova Organi Harmonia” demanded from each of us an unusual commitment; we have dedicated to it the best of our energies. Would it be, therefore, presumptuous on our part to be satisfied with the result and to expect its welcome reception in the musical world?

— Msgr. Jules Van Nuffel (circa 1940)

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