My DM, and wife, asked me tonight about which settings of the propers I use for my personal devotions, and printed of the Introit propers for all of Lent tonight with the plan to use them as a prelude (because our priest does not want an opening, processional hymn for lent). She of course needs to get this passed on by the pastor, but progress is still progress. I only just recently started to get behind the idea of chant and have been praying for its use at my church. I must say I am surprised and how quickly these prayers are being answered. We are also using a Proulx chant for the Gospel acclamation during Lent, as well as singing the Parce Domine for a second communion hymn. Praise be to God!
As a follow up, yesterday we chanted the introit from the SEP prior to the procession (not the right place I know, but better than nothing). Then we sang a Gelineau setting of the psalm, a Proulx gospel acclamation, and the Parce Domine. My wife was concerned about the reaction she would get from all of this chant; I have to say, though that the mood in church yesterday was so much more profound than I have ever experienced. Later on in the day, my wife got a text message from our liturgy director which said that the pastor really enjoyed the music liturgy of the mass! Our parish has long been a "Gather" parish so this is a big step for us. I will be curious to see if we can keep it going after Lent, or if we will be asked to revert back to are "normal" music style.
Whole its good to get the foot in the door, I'd be careful it isn't perceived as a Lenten thing. Sometimes that can make bit even harder, and turn peoples attitudes about chant into a mode that's even less accepting other times of the year, because it is seen as a "Lenten thing"
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