A Small Change to the Music Sung at the Beginning of the Sunday Masses
From this season of Advent and going forwards, only the Sunday 10 a.m. Mass will continue to sing the Introit — or Entrance Antiphon — at the beginning of Mass. The main reason for removing the simplified English Introit at all of the rest of the Masses is that it is, is, from an artistic point of view, out of place and doesn’t naturally flow either to or from the other sung music. In addition, because the Introit and Opening Hymn are found in different books in the pews, it has been a challenge for the congregation to fully engage with the Introit.
The reason for retaining the Introit at the 10 a.m. Mass is that the Gregorian Introit sung at this Mass is a natural artistic companion to the other music sung at that Mass, be that hymnody, chant, or sacred polyphony. Parishioners will also notice that the Entrance Hymn will begin Mass with the Introit to follow. This is in keeping with the more common practice at many other churches and Cathedrals.
We hope this small change to our Masses will be welcomed and, of course, feel free to email the Music Director, David Elliott (delliott@stmaryoldtown.org), with any comments or questions about our music program.