Wot! No angels?

[gwyn]

Well it has to be 'Let all mortal flesh keep silence' at this coming Sunday's offertory. As far as I can tell it's the only hymn in C H for E that mentions angels that's not a Christmas carol/hymn. There's 'At the Name of Jesus of course but that's been pulverised in the PC machine.

Ah well!

[gwyn]

I've just realised that they get a bit part in 'Lead Kindly Light' too.
And there's a job for one in 'Taste and See'.

Can't move for 'em now.

[docmattc]

Verse 4 of 'Praise my soul'? and verse 4 of 'Immortal invisible' which also echoes Paul's hymn in 2R

But I'm missing something, why the angelic theme?

[oopsorganist]

Er
so why would angels be needed?

[gwyn]

Er. . .
29th September mean anything to anyone?

Saint Michael, Gabriel and Raphael - archangels.

Guardian angels are about now in the calendar too - possibly yesterday.

[docmattc]

But Sunday is 30th.

I've never been happy with adding extra themes because a feast day occurs somewhere in the vicinity of the Sunday. Anyone one give us a definitive answer? It was a source of tension when I used to do a Saturday night Mass- the PP wanted music to reflect the feast of the Saturday, I argued that once the vigil Mass of Sunday had begun then the Saturday was passed.

[nazard]

I thought that a feast starts with first vespers, which is the vespers said the evening before. All Sundays are feasts, and so have a first vespers which should be said about tea time on Saturday. After that it is liturgically Sunday, so any masses should be Sunday's mass and reflect Sunday's themes.

I assume that this is a clear as mud...

[mcb]

As far as I can tell it's the only hymn in C H for E that mentions angels that's not a Christmas carol/hymn.

Ooh look, there's lots:

All glory, laud and honour
All hail the pow'r of Jesus' name
Alleluia, sing to Jesus
At the Lamb's high feast we sing
Blessed assurance
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning
Bring, all ye dear-bought nations, bring
...

But I'm with those who say you shouldn't allow nearby feast days to muscle in on Sunday Mass. The Vatican II reform of the calendar restored Sundays as one of our main feast days - Easter over and over. But not everyone noticed!

M.

[gwyn]

saind mcb

. . . But I'm with those who say you shouldn't allow nearby feast days to muscle in on Sunday Mass. The Vatican II reform of the calendar restored Sundays as one of our main feast days. . .

Same here. It's not something we'd do often. But since we're a parish under the patronage of Mick, Gabby and Ralph, and the thrust of most hymns where angels get a walk-on part is praising Almighty God (Let all mortal flesh being a perfect example - it's a version of the Cherubic Hymn) then it wouldn't be out of synch.

Thanks for your input and guidance everyone. It's always appreciated.

'Let all mortal flesh' wins by two falls and a submission.

We'd prolly have opted for 'Ye Holy Angels Bright' (psalm 148 inspired) had the copier been functioning, or possibly 'Bright the vision that delighted' based on Isaiah's vision in Isaiah 6, sung to Mezler's 'Redhead' or, on a Sunday when there's a good turnout of tenors, 'Sanctus', substituting 'Sanctaidd, sanctaidd, sanctaidd Ior' for Holy, holy, holy Lord.

All good stuff. Soldier on brethren and (for the P.C. brigade) Sistren.

[organist]

I can't see why a hymn about angels could not be included in the Sunday liturgy. What about "Angel voices ever singing"? Perfect hymn for musicians! And we need it after reading all that vitriol!

[gwyn]

And we need it after reading all that vitriol!

Abso!

[organist]

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by your people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
A prayer of John Donne
Bring us, O Lord God, at our last awakening into the house and gate of heaven, to enter into that gate and dwell in that house, where there shall be no darkness nor dazzling, but one equal light; no noise nor silence, but one equal music, no fears nor hopes, but one equal possession; no ends nor beginnings, but one equal eternity; in the habitation of thy glory and dominion, world without end. Amen.
Two of my favourite prayers - did you hear on Radio 4 this morning "How shall I sing that majesty" to that wonderful tune "Coe Fen" - now there's an inspirational hymn about heaven! I also like "Jerusalem the golden".

[musicus]

Thanks for those, Organist. I have known and loved that last one for ages, but I never knew whence it came.