Orate Fratres

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This CD has been carefully compiled to fulfil the demand for an accurate guide to the pronunciation of Church Latin and singing of the Gregorian Mass texts. This has been inspired by the publication of the third official edition of the Missale Romanum (2002) which is clearly intended to be used on the altar. It is also evident that singing the Mass is to be preferred wherever possible, as St John Paul II consistently reminded us, so that “the beauty of music and song will return increasingly to the liturgy”¹. It is intended principally to assist in the training of future priests in the seminaries, providing accurate guidance in intoning and singing their parts of the Mass in Latin. It has been recorded for the Association by our late member, Jeremy de Satgé of The Music Makers, who have successfully provided such a CD of the Mass chants in English². The structure follows the Order of the Mass taken from the Missale Romanum beginning with the Greeting and ending with the Dismissal. It includes tones and conclusions for the Collect and Gospel, and seven complete Prefaces.

In the Roman Canon those parts are included for which the Missal provides music, while Eucharistic Prayer III is given in full. Chants for Holy Week are also given, including: Ecce lignum crucis, Lumen Christi and the Exsultet. In addition to the chants of the Sung Mass, there is a clearly pronounced reading of the spoken Mass. We are sure that this resource will be widely welcomed and will lead even more of our future priests, and their congregations, to discover the joy of singing the Mass confidently in Latin.

¹ Pope John Paul II, Audience, 26 February 2003
² ‘Let us proclaim the Mystery of Faith’ (2002)

“The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium (1964), the blueprint for our worship today, assures us (Chapter VI, 112/113) that “a liturgical service takes on a nobler aspect when the rites are celebrated with singing, the sacred ministers take their parts in them, and the faithful actively participate.” It commends sacred music for “adding delight to the prayer, fostering oneness of spirit, and investing the rites with greater solemnity”. Earlier in the same document (54) it is stressed that, despite widespread use of the vernacular languages, “steps should be taken enabling the faithful to say or sing together in Latin those parts of the Mass belonging to them”. Clearly this presupposes that the celebrant himself is able to lead his flock convincingly when proclaiming the Latin texts. If he can give a strong lead in singing the Gregorian chants of the Missal, the faithful will surely respond joyfully in their turn. In 2003, Pope John Paul II has again expressed the wish that “the beauty of music and song will return increasingly to the liturgy”. New impetus is provided with the promulgation in 2002 of the Missale Romanum, editio typica tertia, a handsome volume for use at the altar, in which music has been prominently included at every stage of the Mass, with the evident intention that whenever possible the celebrant will wish to chant rather than simply recite his part. Few people indeed cannot sing given suitable guidance. This CD has been carefully compiled in order to fulfil the demand for an accurate guide both to the pronunciation of Church Latin and to the singing of the chant. As it may seem daunting to contemplate chanting the whole of the Mass, individual priests will be wise to begin by singing the parts they feel comfortable with, while their confidence grows. They may wish to play the CD over and over until particular chants are firmly fixed in their minds. It will also be invaluable for referring to as and when uncertainties arise. In addition to the standard Gregorian texts of the Mass, plus a useful selection of important Prefaces, the historic chants of Holy Week are also included and will undoubtedly be welcomed. This recording is offered in the hope that celebrants may be helped to find greater fulfilment in their priesthood as they lead the faithful forward to ever more joyful sung celebrations of the Holy Mass.”

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