LENTEN LITURGIES
As we enter the season of Lent, you may notice some changes in our music, liturgy, and the church environment. These changes are meant to help us enter more deeply into this sacred season.
Lent, as defined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is "a 40-day season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday." Beyond this definition, Lent calls us to reflect on Christ’s presence in history and in our own lives. As Fr. Luigi Giussani writes in Living the Liturgy, Advent was a time of expectation, and Christmas celebrated the arrival of salvation. Lent, then, is "the supreme affirmation of this salvation that has occurred."
Jesus is not just a wise teacher or historical figure – He is God. If His claim is true, then our lives must be oriented toward Him. Lent gives us an opportunity to reawaken this reality through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Because our fallen nature makes it difficult to sustain an intense spiritual focus year-round, the Church provides this season of 40 days to help us renew our commitment.
LITUGICAL CHANGES DURING LENT
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM), the Church’s guide for celebrating Mass, prescribes several changes for Lent:
• The Gloria is omitted (GIRM #53).
• The word "Alleluia" is not sung or spoken (GIRM #62).
• The sanctuary is not decorated with flowers, except on the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) and certain solemnities (GIRM #305).
• Instrumental music is limited to supporting singing—solo organ or instrumental pieces are not permitted (GIRM #313). This highlights the human voice as our profound cry to God.
Additionally, you will notice:
• Sung Antiphons: The cantor and choir will chant the Introit (Entrance Antiphon) and, at times, the Offertory Antiphon. These texts, like the Communion Antiphon, are unique to each Mass and drawn from Scripture, most often the Psalms. Singing them allows us to dwell more fully on the Word of God.
• Latin Mass Parts: We will sing the Sanctus ("Holy, Holy, Holy") and Agnus Dei ("Lamb of God") in Latin. The Second Vatican Council encouraged the Church to maintain Latin in the liturgy, particularly for common acclamations. Many faith traditions use a sacred language set apart from daily speech—Jewish worship, for example, is conducted in Hebrew. Similarly, using Latin in the Mass reminds us that we are stepping into sacred time.
These changes are not simply traditions but serve to draw us deeper into the mystery of Lent. May this season be a time of renewal as we prepare to celebrate the victory of Easter.
LISTEN TO AND LEARN THE LENTEN MASS PARTS
For those of you who wish to listen to and learn the Lenten Mass parts, click below.
1. Kyrie (Missa Orbis Factor)
2. Sanctus (Mass XVIII)
3. Memorial Acclamation (ICEL Chant)
4. Agnus Dei (Mass XVIII)