Misa Oaxaqueña

Canto de Entrada - INTROITO

Originally, The Catholic Church didn't allow musical instruments to be used in worship services. Early Music and Renaissance arrangements were written for choruses and vocal ensembles. The Council of Trent finally aproved the use of brass instruments and also the counterpoint technique, keeping the ban on sounds, forms and secular influences. Dioceses around the world -Oaxaca included- have enriched sacred music with their local arrangements, that have their own touch and techniques. Such is the case of the Oaxacan Mass. Here we have the Band of Maestro Jose Angeles Martinez, performing its Opening Hymn, from the chorus of this magnificent XVI century Dominican Convent of St Jeronimo in Tlacochahuaya, Oaxaca, Mexico.

Originalmente la Iglesia no permitía el uso de instrumentos musicales en los servicios religiosos. La Música Antigua y del Renacimiento estaban escritas para coros y ensambles vocales únicamente. El Concilio de Trento, finalmente aprobó el uso de instrumentos musicales mas complejos y el uso del contrapunto como técnica, conservando la prohibición de sonidos, formas o infleuncias seculares. Las Diócesis alrededor del mundo -Oaxaca incluida- hán contribuído en gran manera al aservo de música sacra, con sus sonidos, técnicas y formas locales. Tal es el caso de la Misa Oaxaqueña. Aquí tenemos a la Banda del Maestro José Angeles Martínez interpretar el CANTO DE ENTRADA, desde el coro de éste magníifico exconvento de San Jerónimo, en Tlacochahuaya, Oaxaca, México.



Kyrie Eleison - PIETA SIGNORE

Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison are Greek Phrases for Lord Have Mercy, Christ have Mercy. They are part of the Canon of the Mass, and the phrases themselves were inherited from the Eastern Churches, during the Byzantine Empire. Locally they have been translated too, and eventhough the Oaxacan Mass does not have a specific choral notation for the phrases, it does have a lyric and a Band arrangement which is the one we hear in this video. Trumpet has a very emotive phrase at the beginning, and troughout the piece ephonium and trombones add a very solemn tone with their counterpoints, but notes and tempo are kept in low keys, hints of its sacred genre.

Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison son frases Griegas para la expresión: Señor Ten Piedad, Cristo Ten Piedad. Son parte del Canon de la Misa, y las frases en si, se heredaron de las Iglesias del Imperio Bizantino, Ortodoxas Griegas, Ortodoxas Rusas y algunas Iglesias Coptas. Localmente las frases se hán traducido, y aunque la Misa Oaxaqueña no tiene una partitura específica para el coro, si tiene un CANTO y arreglo de Banda Filarmónica, el cual asigna un tono muy emotivo a la trompeta al inicio y en todo el desarrollo de la pieza, barítono y trombones agregan un toque solemne con sus contrapuntos, sin perder la norma de notas suaves y tempo pausado, emfatizando su naturaleza sacra.



GLORIA

Gloria and Sanctus are probably the center pieces in a Mass, and we hear this magnificent performace of The Gloria in this video. As a local arrangement, this Mass does not have a specific writing for voice or choir, and that is its main feature, that it leaves the option open for people to participate, it makes the expression of faith and worshiping a communal event.

Dentro del Canon, el Gloria y el Sanctus, son probablemente los movimientos centrales de la Misa. Aquí escuchamos ésta magnífica interpretación del GLORIA. Como arreglo local, la Misa Oaxaqueña no tiene una notación específica para voz o coro, pero ésto es presisamente lo que le da su caratcerística distintiva, que deja la opción al pueblo y los participantes a unirse al servicio religioso. El canto se convierte en un instrumento de expresión colectiva de fé y adoración.



Ofertorio, OFFERTORIUM

Offertorium, according to the Canon is the part where offerings are brought. In the Catholic Rite this is also the part where the elements of the Holy Eucharist (Bread and Wine) are presented to be blessed.

El Ofertorio es la parte del Canon donde se presentan las ofrendas, de acuerdo al rito Católico, en ésta parte se presentan también, el Pan y el Vino que han de consagrarse para el rito de Comunión.




SANCTUS

SANCTUS, is the most important hymn of Christian Liturgy, this hymn is performed as part of the consacration of the bread and Wine. The Priest makes the remark that the praise of the worshippers will join the ones from the angels, archangles and all celestial choirs. The music is beautifully arranged in the Oaxacan Mass and follows the traditional Latin Lyric: Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus. Dominus Deus Sabbaoth. Pleni Sunt caeli et terra gloria Tua. Hosanna in Excelsis.

El Sanctus, es el himno mas importante de la liturgia cristiana, éste himno se interpreta como parte de la conagración del Pan y el Vino. Antes de su interpetación, el sacerdote enfatiza que el canto se unirá al de los angeles, arcangeles y todos los coros celestiales. La Musica de la Misa Oaxaqueña para éste sección está armoniosamente arreglada, y se ajusta al Canon Original en sus frases.



AGNUS DEI

Agnus Dei, as part of the Canon is recited during the fraction of the host. This phrase has several connotations related to it. Being Christ the Lamb of God, in this part, his peace is invocated and, as part of The Rite of Peace, the priest wishes worshippers the peace of Christ and then invites the presents to offer each other the sign of peace. This sign of peace has evolved according tot he times and local costumes. from a kiss to the shaking of hands in our days. It also has a significant meaning, since the Communion is about to start, the message is strong and clear, we have to be in peace among ourselves, so that we can come before God and take part of his peace as well.

El Agnus Dei o Cordero de Dios, tiene diferentes connotaciones, como parte del Canon, se recita mientras se hace la fracción del pan, siendo Cristo el Cordero de Dios, su paz es invocada en ésta sección, tomando asi la forma del Rito de la Paz, donde el sacerdote desea a los asistentes la Paz de Cristo, y después les pide a todos mostrar ese símbolo de la paz entre todos. El mensaje es fuerte y claro, que debemos estar en un estado de paz entre nosotros mismos antes de poder acercarnos y ser partícipes de la paz de Dios tambien. El Símbolo de la paz ha variado de acuerdo al tiempo y tradiciones locales, desde un beso en la mejilla, hasta un saludo en nuestros dias.





Communion

Communion is the act of receiving the bread and the wine from the priest. Is the center of this whole celebration, because is the sharing of the body and blood of Christ as the only way we have to achieve our salvation. Being this the core principle of Christinaity we found this rite being celebrated among other Christian Denominations. The Bible itself relates on how early Church groups celebrated The fracction of Bread, or the Supper of the Lord.

El acto de Comunión es la recepción formal del pan y el vino, como símbolos unicos que garantizan la salvación del género humano. Siendo éste un principio central y clave de la Teología Cristiana encontramos que éste rito de celebra entre otras denominaciones. La Biblia misma nos relata de como los primeros grupos Cristianos celebraban la fracción del Pan o la cena del señor.



AMEN (Alternativa)

From the 7 movements of the Oaxacan Mass, there has been some trends trying to add a final movement as a closing hymn. This piece is not formally part of the Mass, as we can hear its notes, tempo and melody are different, but it is still performed as a final movement and is called AMEN. Trombones in this performance were a little loose in their sound, but overall a nice example of sacred music in Oaxaca.

De los 7 movimientos que conforman la Misa Oaxaqueña se hán iniciado algunas tendencias en agregarle un movimiento de cierre, ésta pieza, titulada AMEN, en su melodia, tempo y areglo difiere ligeramente del resto, sin embargo siguen siendo un buen ejemplo de Música Sacra Oaxaqueña.

DESIDERATA

Desiderata
"The things you desire"


Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.


Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.


Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.


Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.


You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.


Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,

and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.


Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.



The Serenity Prayer

Mga Awit sa Misa ng Panahon ng Pagninilay

Mga Awit sa Misa ng Panahon ng Pagninilay ni Jerome J.Lanuza

Now playing: jjlanuza's Misa sa Panahon ng Pagninilay

CANTING THE MASS from Musica Sacra

Ash Wednesday in the Catholic Church

Ash Wednesday in the Catholic Church
From Scott P. Richert,

The First Day of Lent:
In the Roman Catholic Church, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season of preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. (In Eastern Rite Catholic churches, Lent begins two days earlier, on Clean Monday.)

While Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, all Roman Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass on this day in order to mark the beginning of the Lenten season.

The Distribution of Ashes:
During Mass, the ashes which give Ash Wednesday its name are distributed. The ashes are made by burning the blessed palms that were distributed the previous year on Palm Sunday; many churches ask their parishioners to return any palms that they took home so that they can be burned.

After the priest blesses the ashes and sprinkles them with holy water, the faithful come forward to receive them. The priest dips his right thumb in the ashes and, making the Sign of the Cross on each person's forehead, says, "Remember, man, that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return" (or a variation on those words).

A Day of Repentance:
The distribution of ashes reminds us of our own mortality and calls us to repentance. In the early Church, Ash Wednesday was the day on which those who had sinned, and who wished to be readmitted to the Church, would begin their public penance. The ashes that we receive are a reminder of our own sinfulness, and many Catholics leave them on their foreheads all day as a sign of humility.

Fasting and Abstinence Are Required:
The Church emphasizes the penitential nature of Ash Wednesday by calling us to fast and abstain from meat. Catholics who are over the age of 18 and under the age of 60 are required to fast, which means that they can eat only one complete meal and two smaller ones during the day, with no food in between. Catholics who are over the age of 14 are required to refrain from eating any meat, or any food made with meat, on Ash Wednesday.

Taking Stock of Our Spiritual Life:
This fasting and abstinence is not simply a form of penance, however; it is also a call for us to take stock of our spiritual lives. As Lent begins, we should set out specific spiritual goals we would like to reach before Easter and decide how we will pursue them—for instance, by going to daily Mass when we can and receiving the Sacrament of Confession more often.