BECOMING WHAT WE RECEIVE


the strophic hymn as a rule is not a fitting form for the Communion song, the last line of text is common to all stanzas—and can serve well as an assembly refrain during the Communion procession: “With the Spirit’s gifts empower us for the work of ministry.” Tis text is often sung to ABBOT’S LEIGH, a sturdy tune with a sense of purpose. Five stanzas offer plenty of song for the Communion procession. Look for other hymns with built-in refrains or Alleluias.


“Christ, Be Our Light”


Bernadette Farrell’s verses evoke the humble patience of the poor and a sense of alert expectation, while the refrain text and its music offer a sense of joyful confidence. Some may already be singing this song during Communion; others should consider using it!


Songs During the Washing of the Feet


John’s account of the Last Supper, proclaimed during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, recalls not the words of Jesus at table, but the actions of a teacher washing his disciples’ feet. “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (John 13:15). Why do we reserve some pieces that evoke or comment on this Gospel for use only on Holy Tursday? Both the Gospel passage and the foot-washing embody the kind of service that Eucharist demands of us every day. Te well-known “Pan de Vida” refers to this action. Why not sing a piece such as Marty Haugen’s “So You Must Do” as a Communion song? Other refrain-verse songs that speak of service should also be considered.


“Glory in the Cross”


A variety of settings of the Entrance chant for the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper are available today, coupled with Passion-centered or other kinds of verses. My own setting (published by GIA Publications) is written in a stately, processional style. Every time we gather for Eucharist we celebrate the Paschal Mystery— and the saving effects of Christ’s Death and Resurrection are actuated in our own day and time.


“Lead Me, Guide Me”


Tis venerable gospel song is now found in nearly every Catholic hymnal and worship resource. Its text speaks of our need for God in every step of life’s journey. Its uplifting musical setting expresses that need and our prayer with joyful confidence. Te text is written in first- person singular, which in the African American tradition is understood to express the faith of all those gathered.


30 2 Onward!


We have but touched on the importance of the Communion song as ritual action that fosters a communitarian and mission-centered Christian spirituality. We can do much more in our parishes to help the Communion song fulfill this important liturgical role. Te Communion song should help us make ready to continue our journey, to live as faithful and committed disciples. Shortly after we receive Communion, we are sent forth to glorify the Lord by our everyday lives, not just as individuals, but as the Body of Christ—bread broken for the life of the world.


Endnotes 1


Catechism of the Catholic Church (2nd ed.), (Washington, DC: Libreria Editrice Vaticana–United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2000), no. 2013.


Benedict XVI. Sacramentum Caritatis. Vatican website, 2007, https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/ apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20070222_ sacramentum-caritatis.html, no. 76b.


3 Sacramentum Caritatis, no. 91. 4


5


USCCB, General Instruction of the Roman Missal (Washington, DC: USCCB Publishing, 2011), no. 86.


USCCB, Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship (Washington, DC: USCCB Publishing, 2008), no. 189.


6 GIRM, no. 86. 7 GIRM, no. 86. 8 GIRM, no. 88. 9 GIRM, no. 88. 10 STL, no. 195.


11


USCCB, Introduction to the Order of Mass: A Pastoral Resource (Washington, DC: USCCB Publishing, 2003), no. 135.


12 GIRM, no. 86. 13 STL, no. 191.


Steve Janco is Associate Professor and Director of the summer-and-online M.A. in Music and Liturgy at Alverno College in Milwaukee. A long-time liturgical composer, Steve is best known for four widely used Mass settings—three in English, one in Spanish.


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