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Mass settings for solemnities

For the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ and the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus, King of the Universe (Christ the King), it is useful to use a Mass setting that is well known to the singing assembly but different to the one used in Ordinary Time. The setting chosen should also match the higher level of solemnity of these days:

Some suggested settings are:

Mass settings for Ordinary Time

It is useful to change the Mass setting from whatever is used in the Easter season and for solemnities to highlight the change in the liturgical year, while also matching the level of solemnity. A Mass setting that people can sing well and that is sung over time is preferable to changing Mass settings each week. The Mass setting chosen should also be engaging, both melodically and rhythmically, as this invites and sustains interest. Encouraging and supporting people’s participation each week builds the confidence and capacity of the singing assembly. The gospel acclamation returns to ‘Alleluia’ in Ordinary Time, and the Gloria is sung. See also the ‘Mass Settings’ section in CWBII.

Some suggested settings are:

Psalms 

Suggested psalm collections

Suggested common responses (petition and praise)

Please use the verse appropriate to the day. It is preferable to use one acclamation throughout the whole season to support confident participation by the assembly.

Notes on seasonal psalms, common responsorial psalms and common responses

Seasonal psalms, common responsorial psalms and common responses are a resource for communities who wish to sing the responsorial psalm but find they cannot learn new music each week. These settings can be sung over some weeks: seasonal and common responsorial psalms are sung as they are written, and common responses allow for the use of a common antiphon while using the psalm verses set for each week in the Lectionary. Over time, by using the psalms suggested, a community can gradually build its repertoire and ensure that the sung responsorial psalm remains a regular part of the Liturgy of the Word.

Suggested gospel acclamations

Suggested entrance and Communion antiphon collection

Solo singing or instrumentals

The procession of the gifts or offertory is an appropriate time for an appropriate solo piece, from either a solo singer or the choir. This piece may replace a communal hymn or song at this time.

After Communion

The GIRM (§88) instructs that when the distribution of Communion is finished, there is a time of silence and prayer. This period of silence may then be followed by a thanksgiving hymn, psalm or canticle that is to be sung by all.

Resources

Lenten Mass settings 

A change in Mass setting from whatever is usually used in Ordinary Time serves to highlight the change of liturgical season. In keeping with the more introspective and reflective character of the season of Lent, a Mass setting that is simpler and more contemplative would be appropriate. This deepens the character of the season. Use the Lenten acclamations, remembering that the Gospel acclamation also changes to reflect the season. See the ‘Mass Settings’ section in CWBII, as well as the ‘Service Music’ section in CWBII for the seasonal responses. There is no Gloria sung and no Alleluia Gospel acclamation used in Lent. Lent is a time for returning to God in all aspects of our lives; the music chosen should reflect and support this purpose. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal says that ‘In Lent the playing of the organ and musical instruments is allowed only in order to support the singing. Exceptions, however, are Laetare Sunday (fourth Sunday of Lent), Solemnities, and Feasts’ (GIRM, §313).

Some suggested settings are:

Rite of sprinkling

The Scrutinies 

Some suggestions for the third, fourth and fifth Sunday of Lent (as a gathering song, a song after the homily or after the exorcism) are:

Dismissal of the elect

Lenten psalms

Suggested psalm collections

Seasonal responsorial psalms for Lent

Seasonal psalms can be used at any liturgy during Lent.

Notes on seasonal psalms, common responsorial psalms and common responses

Seasonal psalms, common responsorial psalms and common responses are a resource for communities who wish to sing the responsorial psalm but find they cannot learn new music each week. These settings can be sung over some weeks: seasonal and common responsorial psalms are sung as they are written, and common responses allow for the use of a common antiphon and the psalm verses set for each week. Over time, by using the psalms suggested, a community can gradually build its repertoire and ensure that the sung responsorial psalm stays a regular part of the Liturgy of the Word.

Suggested gospel acclamations

It is preferable to use one acclamation throughout the whole season. See also CWBII 43–53.

Solo singing or instrumentals

The procession of the gifts or offertory is an suitable time for an appropriate piece from a solo singer, or the choir. This piece may replace a communal hymn or song at this time.

After Communion

The GIRM (§88) instructs that when the distribution of Communion is finished, there is a time of silence and prayer. This period of silence may then be followed by a thanksgiving hymn, psalm or canticle that is to be sung by all.

Entrance

Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Advent)

Common response (may be used all through Advent)

Gospel acclamation

Isaiah 61:1 (Luke 4:18)

Alleluia, Alleluia!
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me;
he sent me to bring Good News to the poor.
Alleluia!

Procession of the gifts/offertory

Communion

Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)

Sending forth

Entrance

Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Advent)

Common response (may be used all through Advent)

Gospel acclamation 

Luke 3:4, 6

Alleluia, Alleluia!
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
all people shall see the salvation of God.
Alleluia!

Procession of the gifts/offertory 

Communion

Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)

Sending forth

Entrance

Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Advent)

Common response (may be used all through Advent)

Gospel acclamation

Psalm 84:8

Alleluia, Alleluia!
Lord, show us your mercy and love,
and grant us your salvation.
Alleluia!

Procession of the gifts/offertory

Communion

Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)

Sending forth

Entrance

Responsorial psalm (see also the music recommendations tab)

Gospel acclamation (See Overview)

Mark 11:9, 10

Alleluia, Alleluia!
Blessed is he who inherits the kingdom of David our Father;
blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Alleluia!

Procession of the gifts/offertory 

Communion

Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)

Sending forth

Entrance

Responsorial psalm (see also the music recommendations tab)

Gospel acclamation 

Luke 21:36

Alleluia, Alleluia!
Be watchful and pray constantly,
that you may be worthy to stand before the Son of Man.
Alleluia!

Procession of the gifts/offertory 

Communion

Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)

Sending forth

Entrance

Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Ordinary Time) 

Gospel acclamation

John 8:12

Alleluia, Alleluia!
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
the man who follows me will have the light of life.
Alleluia!

Procession of the gifts/offertory 

Communion

Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)

Sending forth 

Each year, the Church makes its pilgrimage to the cross and beyond—through the refining trials of the wilderness, to the heart-rending breakthrough of Calvary and into the expansive Easter hope that motivates and animates all that we do. This selection of useful and inspiring resources and articles from around the web has been collected to help you enter more deeply into the Lent and Easter seasons.

Lent in 3 minutes, produced by Busted Halo—a brief and engaging video explaining the basics of Lent 

The Pope’s messages for Lent, available in English and a range of other languages

What is Lent?—an overview of the season from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 

Lent resources from Loyola Press, including:

Easter resources from Loyola Press, including Easter lesson plans for children and a range of Easter-themed articles

Paschale Solemnitatis—a circular letter concerning the preparation and celebration of the Easter feasts, from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, 1988

The 2023 Triumph Lenten program from the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong—a popular and beautifully designed book of daily reflections for the season of Lent that can be ordered through the diocese’s website

From Ashes to Hope—a book of daily, Scripture-based reflections from Evangelisation Brisbane for Lent and Easter 2023, which can be ordered through their website and used by busy individuals or adapted for groups

The Jerusalemm Journey: the 2023 Lenten audio retreat from the popular Pray as you go devotional app, produced by Jesuit Ministries UK

A rich and comprehensive collection of Lenten prayer and devotional resources from Hallow, the popular subscription-based Catholic prayer app

Project Compassion—Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising appeal

‘Lent and Social Justice’—an exploration of the Lenten call to recognise the face of Christ in all those in need, from the Justice and Peace Office of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney

A free, video-based Way of the Cross from the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, using the Gospel of Mark and featuring the beautiful carved stations of the late Melbourne sculptor Leopoldine (Poldi) Mimovich that reside in the Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Deepdene

Laudato si’ Stations of the Cross—a free, downloadable liturgy booklet from the Columbans in Australia, and Lenten Odyssey: Our Human Calling in Christ Jesus, a series of reflections on the Sundays in Lent, Year C, also from the Columbans.

The Little Way of Lent, from Shalom Media—an Australian series of video reflections for kids, presented by Ann Rennie

‘Ave Explores: Lent’—a series of Lenten-themed conversations from the Ave Explores podcast, produced by Ave Maria Press

A Guide to Night Prayer for Lent, a free downloadable ‘Liturgy of the Hours’ resource for families, from the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame (USA)

‘The Triduum in Art’ (artwork-based reflections for each day of the Triduum) and ‘A Lenten Playlist: 40 songs in 40 days’, both also from the McGrath Institute for Church Life

First reading

Isaiah 58:7–10
Then will your light shine like the dawn.

Responsorial psalm

Psalm 111(112):4–9
R. A light rises in the darkness for the upright.

Second reading

1 Corinthians 2:1–5
The only knowledge I claimed was of the crucified Christ.

Gospel acclamation

John 8:12
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; the man who follows me will have the light of life.

Gospel

Matthew 5:13–16
Your light must shine in the sight of men.

Images from the Word

Liturgical notes

In the General Intercessions or the Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in a certain way to the word of God which they have welcomed in faith and, exercising the office of their baptismal priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation of all. It is fitting that such a prayer be included, as a rule, in Masses celebrated with a congregation, so that petitions will be offered for the holy Church, for civil authorities, for those weighed down by various needs, for all men and women, and for the salvation of the whole world.

—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §69 

As we come together each Sunday, we are invited to bring our prayer for the world and all its need. We do not come alone in this prayer, but we come as the one Body of Christ. United as one, we intercede for the many needs of our community with a view to the wider Church. As the priestly people of God, we can be confident that God will respond.

‘O come, let us worship God and bow low before the God who made us, for he is the Lord our God.’ —entrance antiphon

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