Just make sure you don't forget to insert Origen at the proper point.

Mark,

I do hope you're kidding.

Charles from Visalia has the right idea. Here is the litany for solemn occasions from By Flowing Waters.

We are encouraged to restore the ancient practice of singing Litany of the Saints for Solemn Occasions for the entrance procession for the First Sunday of Lent. St. Mark’s Day (April 25), the three days before the Ascension, and St. Isidore and St. Maria’s Day (May 15) are also days when litanies to implore God’s protection against calamity and God’s blessing on the crops are traditionally sung. The litany is especially effective on All Saints Day as the Entrance Song or the General Intercessions.

The Litany of the Saints for Solemn Occasions may also be used during the principal celebration of the six special periods of prayer mentioned in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §331, and elaborated upon in the Appendix of the U.S. Bishops (the precise dates can be found in the particular calendar which applies to each community):

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Week/Day of Prayer for General Needs of Humankind
Weekdays of Preparation for the Coming of the Holy Spirit
Week/Day of Prayer for Human Rights and Equality
Week/Day of Prayer for Harvest and Fruits of the Earth
Week/Day of Prayer for World Justice and Peace.

See the Circular Letter Concerning the Preparation and Celebration of the Easter Feasts, dated January 16, 1988, of the Congregation for Divine Worship (USCC Publication 219-5), §22, and the Ceremonial of Bishops, §261. The Litany takes the place of the Entrance Song and all the Introductory Rites up to the Opening Prayer. In the solemn form of the procession, the people assemble in a suitable place other than the church. The presider is dressed in alb, stole, and cope. After a suitable gathering song, the presider greets the people and he (or another priest or a deacon) gives a brief introduction. The presider then says an opening prayer (several alternatives are suggested in the Ceremonial) and then puts incense in the censer. The deacon announces, Let us go forth in peace, and the procession moves to the church. When it reaches the church, all go to their places; the presider reverences and incenses the altar; then the presider goes to the chair and exchanges the cope for a chasuble. At the end of the Litany, the presider sings or says the Opening Prayer of the Mass.

What? Origen doesn't belong? As a computer guy, I think of him as the patron saint of Unix.

:-)

No, nothing in particular. I was just hoping there was one, since searching through a PDF is sometimes easier (for quick things) than going downstairs, getting out the book, etc...

problem

in English, there are some lines that do not allow for completing the melody of the invocation (ie., saints with single syllable names) so that the peoples response starts a minor third lower than the cantor on that line... this bothers me immensley (musically speaking. does anyone else have this issue? in the latin there is no single syllable saint name so the end of the invocation by the cantor always completes the descent of the third before the people respond on the same tone.

The only saint I can think of who would have a single-syllable name in Latin is Job (feast day: May 10). Maybe Seth, I don't know whether he's a saint; and there may be others among modern saints. Basically any foreign word is indeclinable in Latin, so unless a one-syllable name has a Latin equivalent (e.g., Juan), it will remain one syllable in the vocative if added to the litany.

Anyway, whether in English or the conceivable Latin case, is there any reason it would be problematic to stretch the name over both syllables of that minor third (Saint Lu-uke)?

I've never had to sing the invocations myself, but it sounds better that way to me too.

I certainly think that if it had come up in the Latin, that's the solution they would have arrived at as well. You can see a similar thing in the Litany of Loreto, where very short invocations ("Mater Christi," "Virgo clemens") get a two-note (la-sol) melisma on the first syllable that longer invocations do not require. They don't just start on the lower note and plow ahead. Neither should short names in the Litany of the Saints be left dangling on the upper note.

I don't think that the lesson to be drawn is "You would lengthen the first syllable," so much as "You would keep it musical, respecting the natural accents of the text." "Sa-aint Mark" sounds terrible! Nobody would do that.

Mark

You would be surprised at what people will do!

i grew up singing the litany in latin only and cant get over hanging the note.

Ben:

Yes... I know ICEL and other English publications do the same, but it still goes against my aesthetic.

Ben, the Litany from the Graduale Simplex is identical to the one found in the Graduale Romanum.

Thank you, Steven! Exactly what I need.

Would it be apropriate to sing the litany during the communion procession? And regardless of where it is sung, is it necessary to sing all the sections or can one adapt it to the length of the procession? Thanks Bruce for all your work on BFW. I don't use it as much as I would like since my pastor isn't a chant fan, but pedagogically I think it's particularly suited for weekday school Masses. It's a great way to introduce chant to catholics at any age.

Does anyone know the answer to my previous question about the change in the Litany of the Saints?

My mistake! I knew that, but got it mixed up since I saw your comments above. I have both books in my libraryand am equally appreciative for your efforts. I have used your English version of the communion antiphons with my choir, which I paired with the Mundlein psalm tones. An excellent way to introduce chant, modality, and propers to a choir without having to contend with Latin.

Mea culpa, I just realized I can use the ICEL version linked above!

There is very little regulation about the Universal Prayer. The GIRM (at #69) merely says that it is "desirable" to include it at Masses celebrated with the people; so it seems to be not required.