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ROME, 24 APRIL 2007 (ZENIT) Answered by Father Edward McNamara,
professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.
Q: It has always been my understanding that the Agnus Dei was a set part
of the Mass, consisting in singing twice "Lamb of God, You take away the
sins of the world, have mercy on us"; and concluding with "Lamb of God,
You take away the sins of the world, grant us peace." However, at the
Mass which I attend in my parish, it is used as an opportunity for
creative expression, with the cantor singing such phrases as "Prince of
Peace," "Lord of Lords," and other expressions to the refrain from the
congregation of "Have mercy on us" until the end of the Communion
procession, at which time it will segue (unannounced) into "grant us
peace." While this can be very edifying and pleasing, it does not seem
to me to meet the requirements of the liturgical norms.
—
C.C., Dallas, Texas
A: The norms regarding the singing on the Agnus Dei are found in the
General Instruction of the Roman Missal, No. 83: "…The supplication
Agnus Dei, is, as a rule, sung by the choir or cantor with the
congregation responding; or it is, at least, recited aloud. This
invocation accompanies the fraction and, for this reason, may be
repeated as many times as necessary until the rite has reached its
conclusion, the last time ending with the words 'dona nobis pacem'
(grant us peace)."
Therefore, as a rule, the invocations may be repeated if the rite of
fraction is prolonged. But there is no mention of inserting new
invocations or of prolonging the Agnus Dei as a Communion song. Thus the
invocation "Grant us peace" should be said at the end of the fraction
and no extra invocations introduced.
That said, the melody used in the Agnus Dei may be taken up again after
the "Lord, I am not worthy" and used as a Communion song. In this case
there is no obstacle to introducing adequate new invocations as
described above.
This can be a way of using certain classical polyphonic versions which
would be too long for the present rite. A system similar to the one
described by our reader is long-established custom in some European
cathedrals.
The then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger considered this practice legitimate
in a conference given at Regensburg on the occasion of his older
brother's retirement as music director of that city's cathedral.
ZE07042407 * * *
Follow-up: Agnus Dei, Beyond the Norms [5-15-2007]
After our comments on the Agnus Dei (April 24), a Pittsburgh reader
asked: "During the Easter season, our parish is using a sung version of
the 'Lord, I Am Not Worthy.' However, the words in the setting are
changed to, 'Lord, we are not worthy to receive you into our hearts, but
only say the word and we shall be healed of our sins.' Although the
music is moving, it does not seem appropriate to alter the words of the
liturgy, particularly the change of 'I' to 'we.'"
Effectively, this altered musical version could possibly be used as a
Communion song inspired by the liturgy. But it is not correct to alter
the approved liturgical text, especially as in this case the words are
based on the Bible.
The Latin text of this acclamation is taken literally from the Latin
Vulgate version of Matthew 8:8: "But the centurion answered him, 'Lord,
I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only say the word,
and my servant will be healed,'" changing only the word puer
(servant) to anima (soul).
The current English version departs somewhat from the biblical text
although it appears that the upcoming new translation will be closer to
the Latin.
Furthermore, substituting "I" for "we" also tends to eliminate the
personal element of Communion. Receiving Communion is a personal, not a
community, act even though the community is certainly involved.
It is true that none of us is worthy to receive Communion, but the
proclamation of such unworthiness is a personal acknowledgment. We are
not authorized to publicly proclaim the unworthiness of our neighbors.
As mentioned above, this adapted version could still be used as a
Communion song. And it is quite possible that the music was originally
composed with this purpose in mind.
ZE07051529
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