I would like to know this as well. I often attend an EF Mass in New Hampshire and am confused when the organ postlude begins during the Last Gospel. It is an affirmation, intentional or not, of an old argument that John’s prologue is just a tack-on with no structural justification.

For those of us who find the opening psalm prayers at the foot of the altar and the Last Gospel fitting bookends to the Mass this musical intrusion is an annoyance. But am I alone in this?

I think this confirms Charles original question, which I took to mean that the organ might start setting the stage for the postlude / hymn, but shouldn't really initiate it full-blown until the conclusion of the Last Gospel. As Stim indicates, different practices abound. In one of our local EF churches, nothing is played during the LG - we start immediately following some prayers that we do after the Missa Cantata. In another, there is some improv on the final hymn that then leads into the final hymn once the LG is completed.

It is interesting - I can't find the reference from watershed in my copy of Ceremonies - I'm guessing that it is from another book or source by Fortescue. Regardless, I think that the point raised by Randolph, is also valid - that care must be taken if playing that it does not convey that the Mass is already finished as if the Last Gospel is simply an "extra" that was tacked on.

I improvise on the final hymn during the last Gospel, slowly building to a recognizable introduction after the "et Verbum caro factum est" so that singing may begin as the sacred ministers genuflect to start the procession out.

To your point, Randolph Nichols, I don't think music during the last Gospel has to be an intrusion. We often have music during important liturgical action, and it can help raise the heart and mind to what is taking place. Then again, if the organist jumps head-first into the finale from Guilmant's first sonata during the Last Gospel, then yeah... that would be intrusive. I've always felt any music during the Last Gospel ought to be conducive to prayer, while setting up the recessional. Of course, music doesn't have to be slow and quiet to be conducive to prayer. But it probably shouldn't be boisterous and obnoxious!

All,
The Last Gospel is said sotto voce, so playing quietly isn't interrupting the action, but accompanying it.

The Last Announcement, on the other hand, is clearly intended to be heard (whether it is worthy or not) and is most definitely not part of theocentric worship. It might be argued, I guess, that it's part of an anthropocentric worship.

Catherine,

I've attended Mass in multiple parishes here in California, and only rarely do I hear the Last Gospel proclaimed audibly.

Charles, I thought you were making a joke about the number of announcements re parish events that are made after Communion and before dismissal in OF. Our current pastor has cut way back on these unless they are his pet projects.

Psallite Sapienter:makes the reasonable suggestion: "If the Last Gospel be read aloud, the music should not be commenced until after the Gospel and its response Deo gratias have been said; if the Last Gospel be read silently, the music may begin after the genuflection."

Just FYI - the 1962 rubrics abolished the last gospel on some days and with one exception stipulate John 1 on all the days the last gospel is said.

Madame,

Thank you. You've given me food for thought in what I play during the Last Gospel. Ours is always followed by the Marian Antiphon, so I have to finish in the key I expect that to begin, but I could vary intensity levels. I try to time my improvisation so that Et Homo Factus Est is punctuated, so that we begin the Marian Antiphon as father reaches the bottom of the steps.

We always have the Proper Last Gospel, when the commemoration demands... but we follow a calendar c. 1950.

I am always saddened by silent recitation of the Last Gospel.

Also, with the blessing coming after the Ite, it allows Deo gracias to be the last words we utter. What could be more appropriate?

Thanks for reminding us that we're not all part of the (practically perfect in every way) Ordinariate, MJO. As well as not lowering yourself to the level of taking into consideration the diversity and variety of practice that is universal in the Church's liturgy, but taking the high road by calling out us knuckle-dragging Neapolitans for what we are - tacky. and. tasteless. What was it Johnson said? "Men more frequently require to be reminded than informed"? Well, thanks for reminding us that, according to English standards, we're awful.

You mean those Ordinariate folks are insufferable snobs?
Who would have known?

No purple. English standards have lowered significantly in more recent times.

Well, based on responses thus far, it seems that there is not, in fact, any official mention of this in a document that we are aware of. I was asking because I was asked to help out a parish choir for an EF Mass, with the celebrant being a diocesan priest who hasn't celebrated the EF Mass very much, and the director, in his notes for the choir telling how the EF Mass goes, mentioned that a recessional hymn would be begun as soon as the Last Gospel has begun. As in my own EF choir which I directed for a couple years I had only gone by what I thought I had heard, and in my otherwise limited experience with Sung EF Masses I had never heard a hymn or postlude begun *during* the Last Gospel, I was wondering if there was any official legislation.

I am in the camp that says it seems funny to begin some recessional hymn, effectively ignoring the Last Gospel, and so I agree with the advice given in Psallite Sapienter. Though as someone who is easily distracted by music, I would prefer silence, I could see how a grand postlude during the Last Gospel could reinforce the greatness of John 1, still, something seems odd to me. I suppose there is the argument that it is technically a thanksgiving prayer for the priest...but that is not officially its role right now, given its placement in the Missal before the priest leaves the altar.

Anyway, I'll welcome any other responses, but I guess my question regarding whether there is any official legislation regarding the matter is probably answered if no one as of yet has heard of any.

In a sung mass, the last gospel is effectively silent. So as a general rule the organ can (and should) fill in at this point, but not so as to draw attention to the organ inasmuch as the gospel is being said. Then, if it is the custom of the place, the Marian antiphon or another chant may be sung in concert with the ministers, and a hymn may be sung as the ministers process out.

But if there is liturgical action that takes place immediately after the last gospel, such as vesting for a procession, or another ceremony, a chant normally sung after the last gospel may be sung instead during the last gospel itself to avoid having the singing take place during the preparations for the following ceremony. The organ can play lightly to accompany solemn liturgical actions as well as simple actions, such as rearranging the furniture in preparation for benediction. But singing, the human voice in prayer, should always be done with a certain solemnity and so should not coincide with mundane activity in the sanctuary. But be alert! Vesting, for example, is a solemn liturgical action.

At low Mass, the tradition of singing by the people is admitted as a laudable expression of their piety. So at the last gospel, singing would be permissible as a matter of custom with the approval of the local Ordinary. But it is also laudable for all to remain silent and hear the last gospel said in a low voice.

Liam, the Proper Last Gospel was abolished in the Pius XII reforms with the exception you noted for the Third Mass of Christmas - however, in the 1962 missal, even that is removed and the Last Gospel it is simply omitted for that Christmas Mass.

The only relic of a Proper Last Gospel in the 1962 missal is on Palm Sunday, when the Gospel of the Blessing of the Palms is read if there is no blessing and procession preceding the Mass.

In one place I’ve attended the EF, the priest asks the organist to start playing right after the blessing, because he has a habit of mistakenly saying the Last Gospel out loud at sung Mass otherwise.

The rubrics of the 1962 missal (RGMR 513) would call for the Last Gospel to be said in the lower tone of voice at a sung Mass. De Musica Sacra (cf. 29d) permits the playing of the organ during the Last Gospel EVEN during a low Mass, where the Last Gospel is said aloud. Thus, the playing of the organ during a high Mass would also seem to be permissible (cf. the implication of 27g of DMS which disallows organ playing during the final blessing).

Ben Jonson

mademoiselle, it was actually Samuel Johnson. But hey, I like both. I don't feel the need to belittle either because of my aesthetic background.

some of them say the EF more than their own rite.

I'm happy to hear that, tom. But I've had experience with an Ordinariate priest who has - well, had quite the opposite effect on our traditional community if truth be told.

And yes, I'd recommend a return of the Sarum Use. (Paging Dr. Renwick of McMaster University.) But not simply because it's British.

Sarum has not been a licit use for five-hundred years

Maybe, but it would be licit under the rules of Trent if an application had been made then. And although the argument for it was lost at the restoration of the hierachy, Dr Wiseman celebrated it on at least one recorded occasion (to the delight of Pugin).