OK, I know this has been discussed before, but I think my situation is more unique. I sing at the Lourdes Grotto & Guadalupe Tepeyac in San Antonio, Texas. All masses, including the English mass, have a traditional Hispanic flavor, including a more conservative view of music from a priest who I would consider a traditionalist. We use the Gather Comprehensive hymnal. There are many great communion hymns in there, but the priest has asked for a communion hymn that is advent-oriented and familiar. Can anyone help me out here? I know that some people have suggested what could be considered a non-communion hymn that speaks of Advent, but I don't think that will fly with the pastor. Must be Gather. Must be familiar. Assistance will be greatly appreciated.
If you remember the context, the Magnificat is always a suitable canticle when the Communion propers are not being used (a canticle of witness, praise and gratitude after receiving the Lord; it's a category error to consider it solely as a Marian text), most especially in Advent/Christmastide. I don't know what settings of the text or paraphrases thereof would be familiar to your community from that hymnal, however.
I agree that Let All Mortal Flesh and the Magnificat are your best bets. If we're talking about English, I'm pretty sure the David Haas "Holy Is Your Name" paraphrase to WILD MOUNTAIN THYME is in Gather Comprehensive.
I am a fan of some of the eventide hymns during Advent at communion: Abide With Me, O Radiant Light. There's also Come Down O Love Divine, and some settings of the Canticle of Zechariah that are ok.
You are right, it is more proper to Ascensiontide. I was just trying to think outside the box. Our home hymnal is Glory & Praise, so we have to get pretty creative to come up with good options Sunday to Sunday.
Thanks everyone. I have recommended Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, as many of you recommended. It is familiar, appropriate, and in the Gather hymnal.
If you need or want the same piece (Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, PICARDY) in Spanish, check out GIA's Oramos Cantando hymnal, which has it translated into Spanish.
Now in this banquet. They know it from OT and it has an advent refrain option. The verses contain imagery of darkness/light and healing/saving, so it really fits the early advent well.
We have Gather 3 but the hymns are also in GC. This is what I have planned for Advent communion hymns
A1: Now in this Banquet A2: Wait for the Lord (Taize) A3: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel A4: We are singing a hymn outside of Gather, but you could repeat O COme, O Come, Emmanuel
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