From the Choirmaster.
Liturgical seasons are not something that most of us here at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton’s grew up with. Seeing as most of us are converts from Protestantism, it is safe to say that one of the first things that drew us to the liturgical life was the neatly organized seasons with their different colors to help orient our minds to specific things throughout the Christian year. As we have finally arrived at the season of Lent, we are testing our souls, offering our sufferings to Almighty God, and preparing for the Holy Passiontide and the Pascal Tridium.
You may have noticed several things have changed since the pre-lent season began. This is so we can prepare for the tremendous liturgical fast before we start. You will primarily see that the vestments have changed from green to purple, and we no longer sing the Gloria or the Alleluia.
However, we decided to take it further and go to the mass ordinary (the Kyrie, Sanctus, and Angus Dei, respectively). We used the “Missa Jubilate Deo,” the mass typically used at your more traditional Diocesan Novus Ordo. This setting is simple compared to what we have been doing (typically the Missa Sancta Maria Magdalena by Healy Willan); some would (and have) expressed that they don’t like this particular setting. Now, I will not lie; I don’t like it either. However, during this season of Lent, we might take a moment to reflect that we are entering the wilderness with Our Lord for forty days. During that time, it may be good for us to not have pretty things so that we have more appreciation for them when they come back. As we get closer to Passiontide and the Pascal Feast, it will seem darker and darker. But when we commemorate the resurrection of Our Lord, the music will come back and be grand, bright, and glorious.
In the meantime, focus on what we say and do during the mass. Pray more, and allow yourself to walk through the wilderness with Our Lord for Lent.