A new edition of the Roman Missal with a new translation is being prepared at present. It is expected thaqt the work will be completed towards the end of next year. A new translation means that many of the current texts are changed and therefore new music settings are required.
While the Misssal itself will contain music, the new edition provides musicians with a unique opportunity to introduce new settings for various parts of the Mass.
The Advisory Committee on Church Music is inviting our composers to submit new compositions or adapted settings that they may have already composed for the present texts. The new texts have been approved by Rome and are now available fo composers ahead of the publication of the Missal. They are not for publication or use until the complete Missal is approved.
The new translation challenges us to be conscious of the texts, of the words that we use in our worship of God. The particular challenge to composers is to take these words and provide a setting which is capable of engaging and sustaining congregational singing.
We are providing these texts and also some guidelines to composers. The Mass texts are the Penitential Rite (Kyrie), Gloria, Gospel Acclamation, Creed, Eucharistic Prayer Acclamations (Sanctus, Mystery of Faith and Amen), The Lord’s Prayer, Agnus Dei. The Missal contains the texts of both the Nicene Creed and the Apostles Creed. Composers may opt for a full setting of all the given texts, or may choose to submit selected elements – settings of the Eucharistic Prayer Acclamations for instance or even of the Gloria or Creed as stand-alone texts.
It is our hope that three or four settings will emerge that might provide a common repertoir for Ireland. The Advisory Committee on Church Music will undertake the publication of these settings and will promote them as a common repertoire.
The Mass texts and guidelines may be obtained from: Sr Moira Bergin, Secretary, Advisory Committee on Church Music, National Centre for Liturgy, St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Co. Kildare (moira.bergin@may.ie). The closing date is 1 May May 2010.
Prof Gerard Gillen
Chairperson, Advisory Committee on Church Music
