Categories: uncategorized
Date: 10 July 2005 07:32:53
On a cold, blustery and intermittently rainy morning, I set off for St Francis of Assisi at Paddington. A friend had invited me to attend their special Sung Mass celebrating the 40th anniversary of the ordination to the priesthood of three friars, including St Francis' parish priest.
The first hymn, the wonderful All creatures of our God and King [written by St Francis], could not have been more fitting for the day: the second verse speaks of "Swift rushing wind, you are so strong" -- it was today! And is there a more apt tune name than Lasst uns erfreuen [German: let us rejoice]?: it is hard to not be filled with joy as it is played. One of the other hymns sung, Let all mortal flesh keep silence, is one of my favourites as well. I cannot think of a more perfect communion hymn.
The wonderful choir was ably accompanied by an organ and four brass (two trumpets and two trombones). The Mass setting, entitled Pax et Bonum ["Peace and All Good" -- a greeting used by St Francis], was composed by parishioner and well-known Australian Church Music composer Richard Connolly. I freely admit to being a musical ignoramus who can but at best croak out hymns and chants, but in my simple opinion I found the Mass setting exceptionally beautiful. The choir was, as always, superb and the parts for it and the congregation were wonderful. The parishioners around me could be clearly heard singing, and the entire Mass was simply, to use a word, divine. All praise to the Mr Connolly, St Francis' Director of Music, St Francis' choir, the organist and brass musicians, and the parishioners. Simply beautiful.
The Te Deum was also sung, in Gregorian Chant; again, wonderfully by the cantors, choir, priests and congregation. This hymn is dated back to at least the 5th century. It is not a short hymn, and is therefore often referred to as the Tedium ;-), but to me it is beautiful. As well as praising God it contains a good dose of theology -- all in beautifully poetic words. It is an amazing and wonderful thing to think upon the many, many people who have gone before me who have sung it during their lives.
It was also great to see teenagers playing important roles in the Mass such as acolyte, crucifer and thurifer.
Afterwards there was a wonderful spread of food, sweets and cake which we eagerly consumed amid much talking and celebrating, though I had to dash off after fifteen-or-so minutes as I had a lunch in my area -- about a 50 minute drive from Paddington. The wind had picked up a bit and it was trying to blow my little Lancer around the place as I drove down the M5. Thanks be to God for keeping me safe.
It is always a pleasure to visit St Francis of Assisi. The parish is very friendly and one is always made to feel welcome. The services of Mass are always beautiful, reverent and draw me into the praise and worship of God. The large participation from the congregation in the music is always noticeable -- and a good thing I believe. I do love listening to choirs and choral music, but, for me, in the day-to-day life of a parish congregation participation is important and greatly aids in the worship. They have a great balance of choir-only and choir-and-congregation music at St Francis.
It was a particular blessing to be there on this wonderful occasion, and to have the added blessing of hearing the premiere of a Mass setting. May God grant these three friars, and all priests, deacons and monastics, many, many years.
| 1. Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; ponder nothing earthly minded, for with blessing in his hand Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand. 2. King of kings, yet born of Mary, | 3. Rank on rank the host of heaven spreads its vanguard on the way, as the Light of Light descendeth from the realms of endless day, that the powers of hell may vanish as the darkness clears away. 4. At his feet the six-winged seraph; |
Words: from the Liturgy of St James [~ 4th century] | |