Showing of the Cross
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Nick Baty
- Posts: 2199
- Joined: Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:27 am
- Parish / Diocese: Formerly Our Lady Immaculate, Everton, Liverpool
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Showing of the Cross
What are people singing on Good Friday for the showing of the Cross in the new translation? Is there much around to choose from?
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Southern Comfort
- Posts: 2024
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2008 12:31 pm
Re: Showing of the Cross
No, there isn't. I know of numbers of priests who have trouble with the Missal tone, which for a musician may not be too difficult but for priests who do not read music, however, is quite problematic. They can't think themselves into a brand new (6th mode) tonality immediately after the long period of chanting the solemn intercessions to a rather different (2nd mode) tone.
As far as I can make out, most people are simply continuing to use the Dan Schutte or Paul Inwood setting of "Behold/This is the wood of the cross" that they were using before.
It is to be noted that the Good Friday rubrics of the First Form of the showing of the cross (no. 15, uncovering the veiled cross in the sanctuary) now say of the priest:
but many priests in country parishes do not have either of these.
In the Second Form (procession of the unveiled cross with stations en route, which seems to be the form used almost everywhere), the rubrics state (no. 16):
and a bit further down
which means [my emphases] that someone else can do this on behalf of the priest, a "suitable minister" being someone who can sing!
Another solution to this which works well is to have a cantor standing in the procession immediately behind the priest and doing the singing for him.
As far as I can make out, most people are simply continuing to use the Dan Schutte or Paul Inwood setting of "Behold/This is the wood of the cross" that they were using before.
It is to be noted that the Good Friday rubrics of the First Form of the showing of the cross (no. 15, uncovering the veiled cross in the sanctuary) now say of the priest:
He is assisted in singing by the Deacon or, if need be, by the choir.
but many priests in country parishes do not have either of these.
In the Second Form (procession of the unveiled cross with stations en route, which seems to be the form used almost everywhere), the rubrics state (no. 16):
The Priest or the Deacon... or another suitable minister
and a bit further down
the one who carries the Cross elevates it, singing
which means [my emphases] that someone else can do this on behalf of the priest, a "suitable minister" being someone who can sing!
Another solution to this which works well is to have a cantor standing in the procession immediately behind the priest and doing the singing for him.