The selection of Mission Church as the site for the senator's funeral took everyone here by surprise as well as the reason for it. Unbeknownst to about everyone during the period when his daughter was struggling with cancer, he would go to Mission Church each day to pray for her. There was obviously a correlation in his mind between her recovery and those visits.

Besides its importance to the Catholic history of Boston, Mission Church does have one of the great organs in this country (Hutchins from 1897, refurbished in 1997) and concerts are given there regularly. The organist at the basilica is also quite good. [For organists like me who are bothered by heights be forewarned the loft is very high up and the railing behind the bench is low.] Beyond organ music, however, there is no distinguished liturgical music tradition at the basilica. It's in a relatively poor neighborhood and thus has limited financial resources, has only limited on-street parking and is hard to get to.

At Tip O'Neill's funeral a contingent from the choir school provided the music. Since the school is still in summer recess, I doubt that will be the case in this instance. I'll check around to see if any of the "usual suspects" have been asked to sing at the service. That's the usual routine when there is an important event at the cathedral (another out of the way place).

President Kennedy's funeral was a low mass celebrated by Cardinal Cushing in Saint Matthew's Cathedral. It was the only mass celebrated. Months later, in the context of a mass in Holy Name Cathedral, Boston, Eric Leinsdorf conducted the Boston Symphony and chorus in Mozart's requiem. This mass was celebrated by Cardinal Cushing. It was a Mass of the Dead--not an actual funeral. This mass was televised. President Kennedy had only one funeral. Needless to say, there were many Masses of the Dead celebrated throughout the country in his memory.

Several news sources stated that the Saint Matthew's liturgy was a low Mass per Mrs. Kennedy's request.

" . . . he spent most of his life fighting against everything the Catholic Church stands for."

Though MusicaSacra is not the place to argue social and government policy issues, the above statement neither accurately reflects the intentions nor complexity of the late senator. Yes, he regrettably reversed his pro-life position (unlike his mother or sister Eunice), a move that later was to influence his opposition to Robert Bork as a nominee to the Supreme Court and in so doing solidified pro-choice as a broadly accepted tenet of the Democratic party. However, his lifelong efforts toward improving civil rights, immigration justice, a liveable minimum wage, and accessible and affordable health care all reflect a deep sympathy to the Church's social teaching.

To admit this does not demean the moral seriousness of considering abortion as a "right." It does however serve to broaden the scope of those who don't see political moral obligations as involving more than just abortion.

In any case, the senator's funeral Mass(es) will in no way resemble that of the late Michael Jackson.
Deo gratias.
Dovetailing from the other funeral thread, another of my maxims is: Catholics know how to "do" funerals.
That, from the point of view of our inheritence of the liturgy, as David pointed out yesterday to me.
Nearly every denominational funeral I've ever attended had way too much "smiley face" and altar call "come to Jesus NOW, or else" subtexts infused by the pastor/leader. And a good chance you'd here "What a wonderful world" by Louie Armstrong or "Over the Rainbow" by the late Hawaiian singer over their PA system.
In paradisum, deducant te angeli......

I've chatted with folks at the choir school as well as with the conductor of the Seraphim Singers (a group that sometimes get asked to sing at big events at the basilica) and so far no one has been asked to participate in the funeral.

Though the basicila (popularly called "Mission Church") seats 1500 people, the funeral will be an invitation only affair and perhaps the family wishes the event to have a private feel. Judging from what musicially transpired at the funeral for Eunice Kennedy, you can read "lowbrow" into that if you wish.

I have revised my post, Randolph

I have often wondered why the women in that family were so very saintly, and the men were such scoundrels. The senator's early life, at any rate, was a scandal. I haven't followed him much in recent years, but hope the later part of his life was more in line with church teaching. I realize anyone can repent. Since the press has pandered to the Kennedys for years, I expect the coverage to be similar to the Jackson funeral. I will likely have to watch the History Channel or Nat Geo to escape it. Anyone else up for watching the History of Mud Part 7?

Thanks to Randolph--and to Beth for her pithy response--for putting things in perspective about Sen. Kennedy's life. Those issues were between Ted and his God, with the help of his confessor. We Catholics do believe in reconciliation--in all its aspects, and in redemption. I'm appalled at the people who take that narrow anti-abortion stand against someone like the Senator, while promoting war and the death penalty themselves, and caring nothing about the life-quality of the poor. Let's be careful about judging others, and let us speak well of the dead and pray for them. And let's be sure that our own pro-life stand is truly Catholic! Concerning the quality of music at funeral Masses, let's take responsibility for those that we can influence, and not get bitchy and whiney about all the rest. It's really annoying and not at all becoming.

In terms of funeral music, people ask for what they've heard. And they've heard lots of what some consider trite and very little of anything else.

Obviously, you can't gate crash someone's funeral and insist on singing the Gregorian requiem propers. However, we should look for opportunities to let people hear these and become aware of the texts. Then you might begin to see some demand. And no, Father isn't going to impose them on a grieving family because we want him to.

Must go to Evening Prayer for the Feast of St. Augustine now, so I can't share my plan for "world funeral music domination." :)

I'm at my parents' house right now, unfortunately subjected to Fox News, and I just overheard something about "the senator's favorite song, 'Impossible Dream' from Man from La Mancha, will be sung at both services." Not sure if he was talking about the funeral Mass or some other memorial services.

I'm appalled at the people who take that narrow anti-abortion stand against someone like the Senator, while promoting war and the death penalty themselves, and caring nothing about the life-quality of the poor.

A few points:

50 million innocent babies have been killed in the USA since the passing of Roe V. Wade (and those are just the surgical ones that we know about). I'm not sure the word "narrow" has any relevance in a discussion with numbers like these.

I have never met anyone like you describe ("caring nothing" about the life-quality of the poor, etc.) --- also, I've heard very sound & astute arguments pointing out that many of Kennedy's policies actually hurt the poor, in numerous ways, although they were alleged to help the poor, so I'm not sure it is as simple as you imply.

Also, "judging others" has nothing to do with the fact that the Catholic Church is in a difficult position (as I said). The Church has serious duties to preserve against scandal. Pointing this out is not judging others.

I apologize to all if I took the thread off course. Please forgive me for this, since this is the best forum, and it needs to stay that way. May God bless you all.

I hope the liturgy itself doesn't get politicized. This is the danger of alius cantus aptus.

Erasmus,
let's take responsibility for those that we can influence, and not get bitchy and whiney about all the rest.

I agree we should do our best to influence the music we can, and avoid unproductive complaining. However, my purpose in discussing the music selection was because, as mjballou said, people request what they've heard. And if Edward Kennedy has perhaps the highest profile funeral of any U.S. Catholic this decade, then many people will model funeral liturgies of their own loved one on this example. So, being aware of what is sung/played seems to me to be relevant.

Funerals (along with weddings) have become such "personal liturgies" that people have come to expect getting whatever they want. Anything that can be done to emphasize that the liturgy is the prayer of the Church, not just of one priest or group of people, including singing the propers in whatever reasonable form, is surely to be attempted.

BREAKING NEWS:

Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley of Boston will preside at the funeral of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy tomorrow at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (the Mission Church). The Rev. J. Donald Monan, a Jesuit priest who was the longtime president of Boston College and is now the chancellor, will be the principal celebrant. And the Rev. Mark R. Hession, pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Centerville, will deliver the homily.

PROGRAM DETAILS:

First Reading: Curran Raclin, stepson
Responsorial: Kara Kennedy Allen, daughter
Second Reading: Caroline Raclin, stepdaughter
Homily: Rev. Mark Hession
Intercessory Prayers: Kennedy's four grandchildren, and the youngest grandchild of each of his siblings, will read quotes from his speeches. (The family chose to honor the youngest children because Kennedy was the youngest in his family.)
Offertory: Grandchildren
Music by Yo-Yo Ma
Communion
Music by Placido Domingo accompanied by the Tanglewood Festival Chorus
"Ave Maria" by Susan Graham of the Metropolitan Opera
Tribute: Edward M. Kennedy Jr. and US Representative Patrick J. Kennedy (sons)
Eulogy: President Obama
Song: America the Beautiful

ANALYSIS:

The family and church officials have essentially chosen to split the roles three ways. Cardinal O'Malley, because of his role as the archbishop of Boston, will technically preside over the funeral, but Fathers Monan and Hession, who had closer relationships with Senator Kennedy, will be far more visible to casual viewers of the liturgy. Monan will celebrate the Mass, which will include presiding over the congregation and reciting the prayers of the Mass and being at the center of the altar during the Eucharist. Hession will deliver the homily, and his task will be to take the readings of the day and apply them to the moment. This is a very typical arrangement, not only at large-scale funerals but also liturgies such as the first Mass of a new priest, in which a bishop will step aside to allow a close friend of the person being honored to celebrate the liturgy.

Source: Boston.com

Probably the Cardinal would be in the best position to comment on "The Impossible Dream", a song from the show Man of La Mancha, based on Cervantes' novel Don Quixote, inasmuch as his Ph.D. was in Spanish Lit.

Details on the funeral mass and program:

10:00 a.m.
Music begins

MOZART Clarinet Quintet
Members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Malcolm Lowe, violin
Alexander Velinzon, violin

Cathy Basrak, viola
Mihail Jojatu, cello
William R. Hudgins, clarinet

10:05 a.m.
Extended Kennedy family arrives

10:10 a.m.
Distinguished visitors are seated

10:15 a.m.
The President, Vice President and former Presidents seated

10:20 a.m.
Mrs. Vicki Kennedy and Immediate Family arrive

10:30 a.m.
Funeral Procession Begins
Entrance Hymn: “Holy God We Praise Thy Name”

Celebrants:
His Eminence Sean P. Cardinal O’Malley, OFM CAP, Archbishop of Boston
Fr. J. Donald Monan, S.J., Chancellor, Boston College

Fr. Gerry Creedon, Pastor, Saint Charles Borromeo Church, Arlington, VA
Fr. Percival D’ Silva, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Kensington, MD
Rev. Mark R. Hession, Our Lady of Victory, Centerville, MA
Rev. Donald MacMillian, Chaplain, Boston College
Very Rev. Raymond Collins, C.SS.R. Pastor, Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Roxbury, MA

Pall bearers:
Kara Kennedy
Edward M. Kennedy, Jr.
Patrick J. Kennedy

G. Curran Raclin, Jr.
Caroline R. Raclin
Caroline Kennedy
Kathleen Kennedy Townsend
Christopher Lawford
Ed Michael Reggie
Bobby Shriver
Stephen E. Smith, Jr.

Immediate family:

Mrs. Victoria Kennedy
Ted Kennedy, Jr.
Kiki Kennedy
Teddy Kennedy, II
Kiley Kennedy
Kara Kennedy
Max Kennedy
Grace Kennedy
Patrick Kennedy

Caroline Raclin
Curran Raclin
Edmund and Doris Reggie
Mrs. Jean Kennedy Smith
William Kennedy Smith
Mrs. Ethel Kennedy

First Reading:
Curran Raclin, the Senator’s stepson
Old Testament

The Book of Wisdom 3:1-9

Responsorial Psalm:
Kara Kennedy
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 72

Second Reading:
Caroline Raclin, the Senator’s stepdaughter
New Testament, Letter of Paul to the
Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39

Gospel:

Father Hession
Matthew 25:31-32A, 34-40

The Prayers of the Faithful:
Kiki Kennedy
Kiley Kennedy
Grace Allen
Max Allen
Jack Schlossberg

Robin Lawford
Kym Smith
Anthony Shriver
Rory Kennedy
Teddy M. Kennedy II

Liturgy of the Eucharist
Offertory:
The Senator’s grandchildren

At Offertory:

J.S. BACH Sarabande from Cello Suite No. 6
Yo-Yo Ma, cello

At Communion:
FRANCK “Panis Angelicus”
Placido Domingo, tenor
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
James David Christie, organ

BRAHMS “Let Nothing Ever Grieve Thee”

Tanglewood Festival Chorus
John Oliver, conductor
James David Christie, organ

SHUBERT “Ave Maria”
Susan Graham, mezzo-soprano
James David Christie, organ

Remembrances:
Ted Kennedy, Jr.
Patrick J. Kennedy

Eulogy:
President Barack Obama

Final Commendation:
His Eminence Sean P. Cardinal O’Malley
Archbishop of Boston

Recessional:
“America the Beautiful”

Noel, awesome comments as always!

the usual free-for-all confusion over hi profile liturgies.

The church's immediate surroundings are not very pretty, but it's not hard to reach on foot; it's two blocks from the Green line trolley at Brigham Circle and the hospital district (Harvard Med School, Children's Hospital, Brigham Hospital, etc.) Here's a link to Google's "Street View". (You'll have to use your mouse to drag the photo and make the view pivot to see the church.)

Christopher Purdy has posted the Finale from the 1964 JFK Requiem on his blog. Here are the three posts:

• Introit & Kyrie
  
• Introit of the Mass and Domine Jesu Christe
  
• Finale
  

I'm glad I didn't watch the ceremony: I wouldn't have appreciated witnessing a Mass with no sung ordinary, and with the celebrant making deviations from the approved texts. (Prof. Ed Peters mentioned that on his blog today.)

A friend tells me that the organist was Prof. James Christie of Oberlin; that would explain the fast hymn-playing in an unfamiliar church.

Based on what I've read so far, it seems that no local church musicians were involved (except for any who might happen to be members of the Tanglewood chorus). I do hope that the parish organist at least got paid as is his right.

Older celebrants sometimes forget texts. I was impressed that he omitted the customary "sisters" at the Orate, Fratres.

If they sang "One bed, three bodies. Menage a trois..." it would be more representative of what one would actually find in most Catholic churches in the U.S. What did you choose for Good Friday?