Responsorial Psalm
A responsorial psalm is sung by the cantor after the First Reading, with the congregation singing a brief response. Please choose a psalm from among those listed in the scripture section of your marriage preparation planning guide (33, 34, 103, 112, 128, 145, or 148). Then the music director will offer options for an appropriate musical setting.
Alleluia and Verse
The Alleluia and Verse (familiar parish setting) are sung by the cantor and the congregation before the Gospel reading.
Celebrating Matrimony: Acclamation after the Reception of Consent
"After the priest receives the couples’ consent, he invites a response from the congregation" (OCM 65), saying, “Let us bless the Lord.” All may say “Thanks be to God” or sing a short acclamation of praise and thanksgiving to God. The word "Alleluia" literally means "praise God". At Holy Trinity, we have found that repeating the same "Alleluia" (once only) that was sung before the Gospel reading is the best way (presently) to support a sung response if the couple chooses that option.
Celebrating Matrimony: Hymn/Canticle of Praise after the Giving of Rings (optional)
After the exchange of rings, “a hymn or canticle of praise may be sung by the whole community”. (OCM 68)
- God, in the Planning, Bell/SLANE - verses 1 and 4
- Hear Us Now, Our God and Father Huxold, Newton verses 1 and 3 (HYFRYDOL; words also fit HYMN TO JOY)
- God of Love, Embrace Your People, Chepponis/HYMN TO JOY (words also fit HYFRYDOL) - all verses
Alternatively, this may also be an appropriate time for couples to present flowers in honor of and in prayer to the Blessed Mother and/or the Holy Family, accompanied by a hymn or canticle of praise sung by the whole community.
- Mary, First Among Believers, Delores Dufner, OSB (1, 3, 5)
- My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness (Canticle of Mary)
- Hail Mary, Gentle Woman
- Salve Regina
- Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly
- Immaculate Mary
- Would You Bless Our Homes and Families (no listening link; ask for text)
Presentation/Preparation of Gifts (Mass only - congregational songs)
- Love Is the Sunlight, Borghild Jacobson/BUNESSAN
- Lord of All Hopefulness, Struther/SLANE
- God, in the Planning, Bell/SLANE
- The Servant Song, Gillard
- When Love Is Found, Wren/O WALY WALY
- Hear Us Now, Our God and Father/HYFRYDOL (words also fit HYMN TO JOY)
Presentation/Preparation of Gifts (Mass only - vocal solos)
“Vocalists may sing alone during the Preparation of the Gifts or after Communion.” (STL 221)
- When Love Is Found (Brian Wren)
- God, in the Planning, Bell/ SLANE
- Not for Tongues of Heaven’s Angels, Dudley-Smith; Joncas
- Love Is the Sunlight, Borghild Jacobson/ BUNESSAN
- Set Me As a Seal, Paul Melley
- The Gift of Love (Hal H. Hopson)
- Walk with Them, Lord (Don Besig)
Presentation/Preparation of Gifts (Mass only - instrumental music)
Instrumental music may also be appropriate in order to balance the amount and use of sung music elsewhere in the liturgy.
Holy, Mystery of Faith, Amen, Lamb of God (Mass only)
A musically unified, locally known Mass setting in English (e.g., the same setting as the Gloria) is the most conducive to “full, conscious, active” congregational participation.
Distribution of Holy Communion (Mass only)
The purpose of the Communion chant is “to express the spiritual union of the communicants by means of the unity of their voices . . . and to bring out more clearly the ‘communitarian’ character of the procession to receive the Eucharist.” (GIRM 86) “Because the Communion chant expresses the unity of those processing and receiving the Holy Sacrament, communal singing is commendable. The singing of the people should be preeminent.” (STL 189) “Vocalists may sing alone . . . after Communion. Soloists should not usurp parts of the Mass designated for congregational participation.” (STL 221)
