"Agnus Dei, Qui Tollis Peccata Mundi, Miserere Nobis..."

I was pleasantly surprised at my church a few weeks back when the cantor chanted the Agnus Dei after the eucharistic bread was consecrated.  Chanting Latin in a "normal" Post Vatican II Novus Ordo mass?!   But there is was, all reverent and sacred and stark:

"Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccati mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccati mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccati mundi, dona nobis pacem."

Which translates as "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.  Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace."  Gregorian chant is simultaneously pure, simple and transcendent.  It takes you to a sacred place, unlike much of the sing-song responses and modern "hymns" we're singing these days. Sigh.

I told the music director that I loved chanting the Agnus Dei.  He said he was getting a great response from parishoners and we'd be adding the Sanctus in a few weeks.  Yippee!  He said that people simply weren't singing much at church anymore.  He thought it would be easier for people to chant and therefore more people would do it.  Not a strong theological argument there, but whatever brings back Gregorian chant to Sunday mass is fine by me! 

While we're at it, I vote for bringing back the communion rail and the veil (or hat) for women too.   As The Anchoress noted a few days ago:

"We DID throw away too many babies with the bathwater after VCII, and some things are being reclaimed, but slowly. I personally would love to see us return to “the old way” of receiving communion, both for the reverence, and in order to protect the Holy Eucharist from abuse."

Here, here!  Here's a beautiful Agnus Dei, much fancier than what we sang at mass:

Comments

[Ken]

Where is your church? I want to go there! I really would love to have those beautiful chants of those "common" parts of the Mass in Latin, as opposed to some of the crazy "pop" arrangements that we get, especially during the Advent and Lenten seasons. (Although we have been doing the "Kyrie" in Greek during Lent for the past, at least the "Kyrie eleison" part of it. And the "Agnus Dei", too, especially during Lent.) I would love to have them switch to the "Gloria" and "Credo" in Latin. I'm sure that it would be a steep learning curve, but it's just so beautiful to hear, and i would love to be joining in the singing of those versions!

[Ken]

And I second (or "third") the sentiments about returning to the traditional way of receiving communion. There are two reasons - first, I definitely feel that it would increase the reverence that is justly owed. Second - many times the ministers of Holy Communion (especially the Extraordinary ministers) are befuddled when you want to receive the Holy Eucharist on the tongue. You have to practically lean down to where your mouth is just where your hands are to receive! I vote for bringing back kneeling for Communion either at the communion rail (which are mostly gone.) Or bringing portable kneelers and putting them in place, and making that the *preferred* option. It should have never been taken away, receiving in the hand should have never been permitted. And while i'm at it, Extraordinary ministers should be rare and few in number - if we cannot take a few extra minutes for the reception of Holy Communion (and without crazy Communion "hymns", might I add!) then it is just not being understood, appreciated, or received in the proper way.

I'm sure that many will disagree - but I think that it is SO important to restore greater reverence to the worship celebration of the Mass! And I think that the Communion part of the Mass is an excellent place to start!

Thanks for listening...
Ken