John Ainslie wrote:but the ambo should really be reserved for the proclamation of the Word - that is why it also says somewhere that the cantor (as distinct from the psalmist) should not exercise his ministry there.
I do not recall any explicit instruction to that effect. But by implication this is what GIRM 309 is saying:
From the ambo only the readings, the Responsorial Psalm, and the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) are to be proclaimed; likewise it may be used for giving the Homily and for announcing the intentions of the Universal Prayer. The dignity of the ambo requires that only a minister of the word should stand at it.
This presumably indicates that the psalmist and the intercessor are both considered to be ministers of the word, but so is the cantor who sings the Exsultet if a deacon or priest is not doing it.
Even if the Gospel reading itself is not sung, it may be helpful to sing the greeting and title of the Gospel reading at the beginning and This is the gospel of the Lord at the end, so as to allow the people to sing their acclamation. On more solemn occasions, it may be appropriate to repeat the sung Alleluia at the end of the Gospel reading after the final acclamation Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
From the ambo only the readings, the Responsorial Psalm, and the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) are to be proclaimed; likewise it may be used for giving the Homily and for announcing the intentions of the Universal Prayer.
From the ambo only the readings, the Responsorial Psalm, and the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) are to be proclaimed; likewise it may be used for giving the Homily and for announcing the intentions of the Universal Prayer.
Litany of the Saints too?
The Litany of the Saints is not mentioned in that para in GIRM, and it has never been the Church's practice to use the ambo for this.
Before Vatican II, two cantors robed in cassock and cotta would chant the Easter Vigil Litany from the foot of the sanctuary steps, on the congregation side of the altar rail but facing away from the congregation. These days, it may well be done from the cantor's music desk, but I have seen it done from the ambo (because that was the only place there was a microphone!)
At the two recent episcopal ordinations it was done in two different ways at two different locations: (i) two robed cantors standing behind and on both sides of the prostrate bishop-elect, facing away from the congregation; (ii) one unrobed cantor from the cantor's music desk, facing the people. In the first instance the building (Wrexham) was small enough for two cantors to be clearly audible without amplification; in the second (Portsmouth), a larger building and the requirement to have sound coming through the resident PA system and direct into the web feed dictated a mic'd location.
Thanks for drawing attention to CTM 166: I had forgotten about that!
Last edited by Southern Comfort on Mon Oct 01, 2012 5:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Southern Comfort wrote:The Litany of the Saints is not mentioned in that para in GIRM, and it has never been the Church's practice to use the ambo for this.
I think the arguments are the same as those for and against using the ambo for the Universal Prayer (General Intercessions, etc.), which you could also argue has never been the Church's practice. The litany takes the place of the UP in most liturgies in which it occurs (other than Eucharistic liturgies of initiation), and, it could be argued, fulfils a similar function.
We used to sing the Exultet from a gallery out of sight of the congregation. Two good singers (not the missal chant) and no amplification - spine-tingling and dramatic. Which raises the question (sorry mods) of whether it is better sung by a good singer or a cleric who is less gifted vocally. It is meant to be a "proclamation."
The Deacon, after incensing the book and the candle, proclaims the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet)... The Easter Proclamation may be made, in the absence of a Deacon, by the Priest himself or by another concelebrating Priest. If, however, because of necessity, a lay cantor sings the Proclamation, the words Therefore dearest friends up to the end of the invitation are omitted, along with the greeting The Lord be with you.
Given that a priest or deacon has to be present for the Vigil to take place at all - or that is the presumption - the 'necessity' for a lay cantor to sing the Proclamation can only be that the priest or deacon is unwilling to proclaim it. Why? Because they realise that it ought to be sung but they cannot sing it themselves, adequately or at all?
When this change first came about — i.e. that a lay person, not ordained a deacon, could sing the Exsultet — I thought it was rather an enlightened decision by the Roman authorities. I imagine they thought that if the Exsultet is going to be sung, and given that it is supposed to be an expression of Paschal joy, then at least have it sung by someone who knows what they are doing, rather than subject everyone to a purgatorial experience while an ordained person struggles through it.
Southern Comfort wrote:The Litany of the Saints is not mentioned in that para in GIRM, and it has never been the Church's practice to use the ambo for this.
I think the arguments are the same as those for and against using the ambo for the Universal Prayer (General Intercessions, etc.), which you could also argue has never been the Church's practice. The litany takes the place of the UP in most liturgies in which it occurs (other than Eucharistic liturgies of initiation), and, it could be argued, fulfils a similar function.
I tend to agree with you, mcb. Why don't you write to Rome and tell them you think they should alter GIRM?
Southern Comfort wrote:The Litany of the Saints is not mentioned in that para in GIRM, and it has never been the Church's practice to use the ambo for this.
I think the arguments are the same as those for and against using the ambo for the Universal Prayer (General Intercessions, etc.), which you could also argue has never been the Church's practice. The litany takes the place of the UP in most liturgies in which it occurs (other than Eucharistic liturgies of initiation), and, it could be argued, fulfils a similar function.
I tend to agree with you, mcb. Why don't you write to Rome and tell them you think they should alter GIRM?
And if the Litany of the Saints should not be led from the ambo, neither should the Prayer of the Faithful. In my book, neither should the Exsultet, or anything else other than the formal proclamation of the Word in Scripture. Ambones should be designed with their principal purpose clearly signified by carving or decoration. A dolled-up reading desk is insufficient to signify its sacred purpose: see no 180 in 'Consecrated for Worship', the Bishops' Conference directory on church building. Then any non-Word use becomes more obviously out of place.
I like the Anglican usage whereby the intercessions are led from the body of the Church by a member of the congregation in his/her pew, armed with a microphone: this is perfectly legitimate as "another suitable place" (GIRM 71) for Catholic usage. The homily is a presidential function and should therefore preferably be delivered from his presidential place, i.e. the Chair.
