CNP Feedback -
Right Penitential Rite

by Gary D. Penkala

The "Feedback Box" on the CanticaNOVA Publications website has proven quite effective in promoting communications on a variety of subjects, and expressing concerns of liturgists and musicians. From time to time, we'll compile a few of these questions or comments and put them in public view, with the hope that others with similar concerns may benefit from their content.

Q. Dear CNP:

In our church, at the 'choir mass' it has always been tradition to sing the Kyrie and Gloria, either in Greek/Latin or English, depending on the season. Sometimes, the celebrant recites the penitential rite instead, and leads the congregation in the "Lord, Have Mercy." The trouble is, the organist still insists on having the choir sing the Kyrie rather than proceeding directly to the Gloria. It feels awkward to me, repeating the text, even though it is now being sung. Is this a proper or acceptable practice or should we defer to whichever form the celebrant chooses? Sometimes, we meet ahead of time to remind him that we will be singing the Kyrie, but the recitation takes place in spite of that. I have not received any feedback from the priest as to the inappropriateness of both the spoken and sung penitential rite. Your input in greatly appreciated.

-- Liturgical Planner

A. Dear Liturgical Planner:

Here are the three formats for the Penitential Rite (A B C):

Form A

Priest: [These or similar words] My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.

[Pause for silent reflection]

All: I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned through my own fault
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do;
and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
People: Amen.

*
Priest, Deacon, Cantor or Choir: Lord, have mercy. (or Kyrie eleison)
People: Lord, have mercy. (or Kyrie eleison)

Priest, Deacon, Cantor or Choir: Christ, have mercy. (or Christe eleison)
People: Christ, have mercy. (or Christe eleison)

Priest, Deacon, Cantor or Choir: Lord, have mercy. (or Kyrie eleison)
People: Lord, have mercy. (or Kyrie eleison)
*
[to Gloria, if used]

Form B

Priest: [These or similar words] My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.

[Pause for silent reflection]

Priest: Lord, we have sinned against you: Lord, have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Lord, show us your mercy and love.
People: And grant us your salvation.

Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
People: Amen.

*
Priest, Deacon, Cantor or Choir: Lord, have mercy. (or Kyrie eleison)
People: Lord, have mercy. (or Kyrie eleison)

Priest, Deacon, Cantor or Choir: Christ, have mercy. (or Christe eleison)
People: Christ, have mercy. (or Christe eleison)

Priest, Deacon, Cantor or Choir: Lord, have mercy. (or Kyrie eleison)
People: Lord, have mercy. (or Kyrie eleison)
*
[to Gloria, if used]

Form C

Priest: [These or similar words] My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.

[Pause for silent reflection]

Priest, Deacon, Cantor or Choir: You were sent to heal the contrite (or any other suitable invocation): Lord, have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest, Deacon, Cantor or Choir: You came to call sinners (or any other suitable invocation): Christ, have mercy.
People: Christ, have mercy.

Priest, Deacon, Cantor or Choir: You plead for us at the right hand of the Father (or any other suitable invocation): Lord, have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
People: Amen.

[to Gloria, if used]

There is plenty of variety here among (and within) the options. Note that any phrase marked Cantor/Choir above may be sung. Obviously, if several lines are sung they are not repeated in spoken form, either before or after. I am assuming, in the situation that causes you concern, that the choir has planned to use Penitential Rite A or B, and that the priest has continued on to recite the portion between the * * above (the Kyrie litany proper), either accidentally or intentionally. If this is the case, yes, it is foolish to repeat the text in song [but it is often done in mild anger that "Father has messed up yet again"]. One should really just begin the Gloria (if it is called for) or wait for the Opening Prayer to be read/sung. Then talk to Father after Mass.

There may be an "issue" or "agenda" here. Does the priest not want the choir director choosing liturgical formats? Is he just forgetful? Is he bitter? Is the choir director or organist angry that the priest "never gets it right?"

Perhaps more communication and good will are in order. A small (half-page) liturgy sheet that outlines clearly the options for the Mass might be useful for musicians, priest, lector, cantor, commentator, etc. If the Penitential Rite is sung seasonally (perhaps during Advent and Lent), I would stick to one format for the whole season (e.g. Format A all through Lent - at all Masses). This would take some cooperation among the priests, choir directors, organists, cantors, etc., but would certainly be beneficial to the congregation.

In closing, let me mention another common abuse that may or may not happen at your parish. The section in bold type between the * * above (what I've called the Kyrie litany proper) is never to be used alone as the entire Penitential Rite. It must be preceded by the priest's introduction and then the beginning of Form A or B. I have often heard liturgically inept priests (for the sake of brevity, I assume) introduce the Penitential Rite and then slam into the six-part "Lord, have mercy" litany, oftentimes with no Absolution ("May almighty God have mercy on us") either.

Note that the Kyrie litany (or "Lord, have mercy" litany) is to be used after both Formats A and B. The rubric states, "After the Act of Penitence, the Kyrie is always begun, unless it has already been included as part of the Act of Penitence" [GIRM #52]. While the English Mass texts may be confusing, since "Lord, have mercy" is indeed part of Format B, the Latin typical edition makes things clearer. The first part is:

• Miserere nostri, Domine.
• Quia peccavimus tibi.
• Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam.
• Et salutare tuum da nobis.

Thus, the Kyrie eleison that the rubric calls for has really not been said/sung, only the Latin version of "Lord, have mercy on us," which is Miserere nostri, Domine. The Kyrie should definitely then be said/sung in its Greek form [this is never translated into Latin, even in an otherwise all Latin Mass].

As in most liturgical matters, knowing what is correct is only half the battle. Unfortunately, we very often need to educate the musicians and even the priests about what is correct. Beyond that, they also need to care about whether liturgy is done properly. This last assumption is not a given in many parishes.