Missa XVII Practice Tracks

In its constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, the fathers of the Second Vatican Council taught the following, in continuation with liturgical tradition:

§ 36. Particular law remaining in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin rites.

§ 54. Steps should be taken so that the faithful may also be able to say or to sing together in Latin those parts of the Ordinary of the Mass which pertain to them.

§ 116. The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services. 

This Kyrie features a special, florid ending called a "Jubilus". This means that the final repeat has extra notes compared to the version intoned by the cantor.

The Sanctus begins with an "Incipit" — this is where the first word ("Sanctus") is intoned by the Cantor or Schola alone, with all joining in after the asterisk on the second "Sanctus".

The priest will intone, "Mysterium Fidei:" ("The Mystery of Faith:") to which all will immediately respond beginning "Mortem Tuam...".  (In other words, the priest's invocation serves as the incipit.)

Just as with the Sanctus above, the Agnus Dei begins with an incipit.  The first invocation "Agnus Dei" will be chanted by the cantor or schola alone, with everyone joining after the asterisk on "qui tollis...".

If you would like to read even more about why the cathedral community is learning to chant, please read Mr. Richardson's introductory letter to Missa XVII which was shared with the parish at the beginning of Lent 2024.