Candlemas Mass and Concert

by Pittsburgh NPM

Here's a fantastic idea for a regional Catholic joint choir event.

The Pittsburgh PA NPM Chapter is sponsoring a Candelmas Mass and Concert on February 2 — a perfect way to celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, closing the traditional Christmas season on the 40th day after Christmas. Choirs will gather at Saint Winifred Church in Mount Lebanon PA at 6:30 pm for the Solemn Blessing and Procession of Candles, leading directly into Mass for the feast. Dianne Falvo is host for the event.

The concert begins after Mass. Each participating choir is asked to sing 1 or 2 of the pieces they sang for Christmas — and how easy is that to assemble as ready-made concert! The choirs will sing music that they've prepared well and that they're comfortable singing. They (and the congregation) will hear music from other parishes, which they'd rarely get to hear. What a beautiful way to share those solid Christmas selections one more time.

As the last piece on the concert, the choirs will all join to sing John Rutter's "Candlelight Carol," so very appropriate for Candlemas. This piece has a special home in Pittsburgh as it was dedicated to the former Director of Music at the Church of the Assumption in Bellevue, John Romeri.

Kudos to the Pittsburgh NPM Chapter, led by Chapter Director Kevin Maurer. Make plans now to host your own Candlemas Mass and Concert next year. A little bit of planning and coordination can capitalize on all the pre-Christmas rehearsing to assemble a magnificent event for the Feast of the Presentation. You might even include a setting of the "Alma Redemptoris Mater" (chant, Byrd, Charpentier, di Lasso, Palestrina, Victoria) on its last day as the proper Marian antiphon.

Article written 14 January 2017