The trouble with Communion Processionals

[keitha]

I'm not sure we are off topic (yet!).

The trouble with Communion Processionals seem to be (in no particular order) that (i) the music leaders should be able to receive Communion as part of the Communion Rite, (ii) we are supposed to have a "processional" at Communion when what we have in most of our churches is a queue...with varying degrees of orderliness and dignity (!), (iii) our congregations seem to be happier using their wait in the queue for silent reflection and their (usually fairly rapid) return to their seat and the time after their return in silent (usually kneeling) personal reflection/thanksgiving rather than singing (but they are usually, at least in my parish, very happy to sing a thanksgiving hymn after all have received Communion)) and (iv) a very short time for Communion because of smaller congregations (in some places) and the involvement of extraordinary ministers and permanent deacons.

We used to have the choir receive last, but as time went on we found ourselves having to cut short the Communion Processional because the choir would have to scramble across to the Sanctuary to "catch" Communion before it was too late. The choir then asked if they could receive first, but by the time they get back, have their personal 30 seconds of reflection (which they insist on) and are ready to sing, we have about 15 people left waiting to receive Communion (and our average congregation for this Mass is around 275).

We have tried using the "relay" approach that Nick Baty has in the past adopted, but it has not really been that successful. I was, however, hugely taken with the moments of silence during the masses of the Papal visit (and they had a profound effect upon many of the specialist religious broadcasters who were present at Cofton Park, where I was).

Maybe we need to do a bit of formation here. Perhaps we should tidy up the communion procession so that it is a solemn procession rather than a queue - maybe having ushers set each row of communicants off in turn so that most of them start singing the processional while they are still seated. We explain that they should feel encouraged to continue singing the processional until all have returned to their seats (the choir can then join the procession at the end or a minister can, if necessary, take Communion to them), and then they can be told that there will then be a pause for all to make a silent reflection/thanksgiving after that. There may also still be time/room for a thanksgiving motet or hymn. Eventually, with luck, we can then form new habits over time and more composers will feel encouraged to write processional music ion the knowledge that it will be used.

Any other thoughts?

[Nick Baty]

We used to have the choir receive last, but as time went on we found ourselves having to cut short the Communion Processional because the choir would have to scramble across to the Sanctuary to "catch" Communion before it was too late.

You could have a minister ready to approach the choir – then noone has to catch anything. I've seen this done in one or two cathedrals – downside is that it makes the choir look less a part of the assembly.

Must admit, the only pieces that have really worked for us are those that don't involve the choir, thus allowing them to be part of the Communion procession.

Perhaps we should tidy up the communion procession so that it is a solemn procession rather than a queue

Most defnitely.

maybe having ushers set each row of communicants off in turn so that most of them start singing the processional while they are still seated.

Not so sure about this – those folk who aren't receiving Communion might look and feel a tad conspicuous.

Just pleased to know, from all these responses, that we're not the only community thinking this one out!

[keitha]

In relation to Nick's concern about "ushering" at Communion, I used to visit the USA on business on a regular basis and always admired (i) the way in which they often have ushers (they call them 'docents') look out for visitors and give them the hymn book, music sheet and just generally make them feel part of the assembly, including telling them how the Communion Procession is "done" (and inviting them for post Mass coffee!). At Communion there is a docent for each 'block' of seats/pews and no-one in a row moves off to join the Communion procession until the docent stands at the end of that row, moving from the rear of the church, and it seems to work fine. There is a steady, dignified "flow" and Communion takes no longer than it would otherwise take, and the choir's communion seems to be factored in to this so that it is part of the assembly. I doubt if this would cause non-communicants any embarrassment.

[Nick Baty]

That's the way it was done in my Anglican days.
Not sure it felt like a procession – but it was definitely tidier!

[keitha]

True, but I can't think of anything better at the moment! Any more ideas anyone?

[presbyter]

............. and always admired (i) the way in which they often have ushers (they call them 'docents') ........ .

docent |ˈdōsənt|
noun
1 a person who acts as a guide, typically on a voluntary basis, in a museum, art gallery, or zoo.

Which zoo do you attend for Mass keitha?

[keitha]

Any one where feeding time is not like a chimps' tea party!

[John Ainslie]

True, but I can't think of anything better at the moment! Any more ideas anyone?

We seem to manage a decent, docent-less procession. Disabled at front first, then choir (from 'transept'), then front rows. One or two folk may come up out of turn, but no one minds too much. For big festivals, where we may have visitors, this is explained in the service booklet, along with invitation to non-communicants to process and receive a blessing - or is that for another thread?

[alan29]

True, but I can't think of anything better at the moment! Any more ideas anyone?

We seem to manage a decent, docent-less procession. Disabled at front first, then choir (from 'transept'), then front rows. One or two folk may come up out of turn, but no one minds too much. For big festivals, where we may have visitors, this is explained in the service booklet, along with invitation to non-communicants to process and receive a blessing - or is that for another thread?

Ours is much the same - the seated disabled at the front, then the musicians, then the rest gradually from the front with non-communicants getting as blessing. It is all very orderly and respectful ......... and ensures that there is a good number of people still in the pews (or returned to) capable of singing.

[mcb]

At our place the choir goes last, joining the back of the procession once the song is over. (I like going last much better than going first, and it allows us to establish the processional song before the procession gets going.) The organ continues to play until the choir are back in their seats, and then we either have a choral postcommunion item or a period of silence, the latter usually in Advent and Lent.

[Tsume Tsuyu]

(I like going last much better than going first, and it allows us to establish the processional song before the procession gets going.)

But I think it's possible to establish the processional song when the choir goes first. We get to sing the antiphon/refrain two or three times before we move and we keep singing as we process.

The organ continues to play until the choir are back in their seats

If you've established the processional song, is there any reason not to continue with it even as the choir goes up for communion? As an occasional visitor, I love what you do at Salford, but I always feel a bit cheated when the processional song stops to allow the choir to go to communion, especially as the organ keeps playing. There doesn't seem to be any good reason to stop singing - just a thought!

[keitha]

Thanks for the ideas - I can see a way forward - I think! Just one thing - does the organist at Salford not receive Holy Communion as part of the assembly?

[Southern Comfort]

We used to have the choir receive last, but as time went on we found ourselves having to cut short the Communion Processional because the choir would have to scramble across to the Sanctuary to "catch" Communion before it was too late.

You could have a minister ready to approach the choir – then noone has to catch anything. I've seen this done in one or two cathedrals – downside is that it makes the choir look less a part of the assembly.

This is what a lot of churches do: always have one of the ministers designated to serve the choir at the end of Communion. It's a simple question of logistics. They are very happy to do this, in my experience. The only problem arises if you have a substitute minister who doesn't know the system.

[Southern Comfort]

Perhaps we should tidy up the communion procession so that it is a solemn procession rather than a queue - maybe having ushers set each row of communicants off in turn so that most of them start singing the processional while they are still seated. We explain that they should feel encouraged to continue singing the processional until all have returned to their seats (the choir can then join the procession at the end or a minister can, if necessary, take Communion to them), and then they can be told that there will then be a pause for all to make a silent reflection/thanksgiving after that. There may also still be time/room for a thanksgiving motet or hymn. Eventually, with luck, we can then form new habits over time and more composers will feel encouraged to write processional music ion the knowledge that it will be used.

Any other thoughts?

What you have to do is explain to people that it's supposed to be a procession, but that if they don't sing it's only a queue. Singing is what makes it a procession. They don't have to sing all the time — only an antiphon or refrain — so they don't need to carry books or sheets up with them.

And yes, they need to know that there will be silence for reflection at the end. Telling them that this will happen while the musicians are receiving will do it. (Always assuming, as in my previous post, that you have a minister allocated to bring Communion to the musicians at the end of Communion.)

And talking of that reminds me that I do not think it appropriate for the choir to troop up in procession after everyone else has received and is trying to be quiet, as that will be a major distraction. The only case where the choir can join on to the end of the Communion procession will be if they (and everyone else) are singing something (for example, Eat this bread) that they can sing from memory in the procession.

[Tsume Tsuyu]

[....I do not think it appropriate for the choir to troop up in procession after everyone else has received and is trying to be quiet, as that will be a major distraction. The only case where the choir can join on to the end of the Communion procession will be if they (and everyone else) are singing something (for example, Eat this bread) that they can sing from memory in the procession.

I should say that what they do at Salford - with the choir processing up to communion at the end - works because the organ keeps playing. I agree that the choir processing at the end when there is silence would distract me from prayer/reflection.