Suggested Mass settings for Christ the King

Mass of Christ the Redeemer (Kirkpatrick)—CWBII 24 a, c, d, e, h, i, k
Mass of Creation (Haugen)—AOV1 196 (3rd edn), CWBII 69 a, b, c, 74, G 192–204, DD (GIA)
Missa Magis (Willcock)—CWBII 26a, b, c, e, g, h

For youth

Mass of a Joyful Heart (Angrisano)—DD (OCP)

Suggested Gospel acclamations for Christ the King

Celtic Alleluia—AOV1 13, CWBII 48, GA 141
Easter Alleluia (mode VI)—CWBII 43
Halle, halle, halle—AOV2 46, GA 107
Mass of Light Alleluia—CWBII 50
Mawby Alleluia—CWBII 51
Murray Alleluia—CWBII 52
Taizé Alleluia—CWBII 53

Entrance

All creatures of our God and King—CWB 618, CWBII 446, G 611, GA 395
All creatures of our God and King (arr. Rick Modlin)—DD (OCP)
All glory, laud and honour—CWB 229, CWBII 303, G 498, GA 309
All people that on earth do dwell—AOV1 25, CWB 613, CWBII 448, G 853, GA 533
All the earth proclaim the Lord—AOV1 184, CWB 611, CWBII 447, GA 534
All the ends of the earth (Dufford)—AOV1 76, G 604, GA 420
Alleluia No. 1—AOV1 15, CWBII 350, G 524, GA 360
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!—AOV1 191, CWB 619, CWBII 449, G 949, GA 371
Christ is alive, with joy we sing—CWB 639, CWBII 353, GA 365
Glorious in majesty—CWB 688, CWBII 374, GA 370
Hail, Redeemer, King divine!—CWB 703, CWBII 400, G 390
In faith and hope and love—CWB 722, CWBII 520, GA 442
O come and sing to God, the Lord—CWB 761, CWBII 175
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven—AOV1 78, CWB 789, CWBII 588, G 613, GA 392
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty—AOV2 132, CWB 792, CWBII 586, G 616, GA 421
Rejoice! The Lord is King—CWB 799, CWBII 377
The King of glory—G 572
This is the feast of victory—CWBII 371, G 520
When the King shall come again—CWBII 249

Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Ordinary Time)

Psalm 121 (122): Let us go rejoicing (Willcock)—CWBII 536, GA 72, PFS 60

Gospel acclamation

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

Blessed be our God (Take this bread)—AOVNG 13
Christians, let us love one another—CWB 648, CWBII 469, GA 206
Glorious in majesty—CWB 688, CWBII 374, GA 370
How rich are the depths of God (Willcock)—AOV2 79, CWB 795, CWBII 505, GA 81
I have come to bear witness (Herry)—DD (Marist Music)
Jesus, remember me (Taizé)—AOV1 152, CWBII 526, G 510, GA 308
The King of love my shepherd is—G 712
We have no other boast—CWBII 502, GA 491
What sort of King (Manibusan)—DD (OCP)

Communion

Draw near and take—CWB 668, CWBII 482
I am the bread of life (Kaczmarek)—AOVNG 72
I am the bread of life (Toolan)—AOV1 49, CWB 718, CWBII 508, G 945, GA 204
Make of our hands a throne (Warner)—DD (GIA)
Psalm 26 (27): Do not be afraid (Willcock)—CWBII 481 (refrain 1), GA 28 (refrain I), PFS 40
Remembrance (Maher)—DD (OCP)
Taste and see (Dean)—CWBII 609, GA 34
Taste and see (Moore)—G 930, DD (GIA)
Taste and see God’s love (Wood)—GA 203
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord (Herry)—CWBII 610, DD (Marist Music, free)
Unless a grain of wheat—AOV1 35, CWBII 635, G 783, GA 500
We remember how you loved us—AOV1 81, GA 446

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

All the heavens—AOVNG 6
Glory be to God in heaven—CWB 686, GA 422
How great is our God—AOVNG 70
How great thou art—AOV1 94, CWBII 577, G 578
Jesus Christ, yesterday, today and forever—G 847, GA 527, DD (OCP)
Laudate Dominum (Taizé)—CWBII 531, GA 418
Lift up your hearts—CWBII 539, GA 416
Praise God from whom all blessings flow—AOV1 10, CWB 788, CWBII 394, GA 384
Shout to the Lord—AOVNG 114, CWBII 557

Sending forth

All creatures of our God and King—CWB 618, CWBII 446, G 611, GA 395
All creatures of our God and King (arr. Rick Modlin)—DD (OCP)
Christ is the King! O friends rejoice—CWB 641, CWBII 398, GA 389
Christ, our Lord, the Prince of ages—CWB 644, CWBII 399
Go out in the world—AOVNG 54
Go to the world!—CWBII 496
Lord, you give the great commission—CWBII 308, G 544, GA 313
Now thank we all our God—AOV1 189, CWB 755, CWBII 561, G 636, GA 425
O Christ the great foundation—CWBII 565, GA 483
Though the mountains may fall—AOV1 182, G 689, GA 453
To Jesus Christ, our sov’reign King—CWBII 401

First reading

2 Samuel 5:1–3
They anointed David king of Israel.

Responsorial psalm

Psalm 121(122):1–5
R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Second reading

Colossians 1:12–20
The Father has created a place for us in the kingdom of the Son that he loves.

Gospel acclamation

Mark 11:9, 10
Blessed is he who inherits the kingdom of David our Father; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Gospel

Luke 23:35–43
‘Today you will be with me in paradise.’

Images from the Word

Watching Jesus
The chosen one
With me in paradise
Anointed David
Image of the unseen God

Liturgical notes

It is most desirable that the faithful, just as the priest himself is bound to do, receive the Lord’s Body from hosts consecrated at the same Mass and that, in the instances when it is permitted, they partake of the chalice, so that even by means of the signs Communion will stand out more clearly as a participation in the sacrifice actually being celebrated.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §85

In many parishes, during the singing of the Lamb of God, the acolyte will go to the tabernacle and retrieve a ciborium of hosts that was consecrated during a previous Mass; it would then be used immediately for Communion. In this practice, the parish denies God’s people their opportunity to exercise their priesthood. To fulfil their priestly role of offering sacrifice, the members should bring their offering to the altar with the hosts during the procession of gifts. These hosts are then consecrated and returned to the members in Communion. Although this is obligatory for the presiding celebrant, it should also be available to the entire assembly.

‘The Lord sits as King for ever. The Lord will bless his people with peace.’
—communion antiphon

Resources

As One Voice 1, 2, and The Next Generation—AOV1, AOV2, AOVNG
Catholic Worship Book and Catholic Worship Book II—CWB, CWBII
Gather (3rd edition)—G
Gather Australia—GA
Psalms for Feasts and Seasons—PFS
Digital download—DD
Selected collection—SC

Christmas Mass settings

Some suggested settings are:

Mass of Creation (Haugen)—AOV1 196 (3rd edn), CWBII 69 a, b, c, 74, G 192–204, DD (GIA)
Mass Shalom (Smith, rev. Mason)—AOV1 195 (revised 3rd edn only), CWBII 27, DD (Liturgical Song)

Both of these Mass settings are intergenerational and well known, so will cater to the range of people present at Christmas services.

Suggested psalm collections

Catholic Worship Book 1
Gather Australia
Gather (3rd Edition)
Marist Music Free Digital Download—DD (Marist Music)
Praise the Lord My Soul (Connolly)—DD (Willow Publishing, Australia)
Psallite: Sacred Song for Liturgy and Life—DD (Liturgical Press, Collegeville)
Psalms for All Time (Paul Mason)—DD (Liturgical Song, Australia)
Psalms for Feasts and Seasons (Willcock)—SC (Collins Dove)
Psalms for the Church’s Year (Heagney)—SC (Liturgical Song, Australia)
Psalms for the Sundays of Year A (O’Brien)—SC (self-published in Brighton, SA)
Responsorial Psalms: Year A (Smith)—SC (Willow Publishing, Australia)
Sing the Responsorial Psalms (McKenna)—SC (Willow Publishing, Australia)
The Lyric Psalter: Year A (Alonso/Haugen)—SC (GIA Publishing, Chicago)

Suggested Gospel acclamations

Advent Alleluia—CWBII 42
Celtic Alleluia—AOV1 13, CWBII 48, GA 141
Hallel Alleluia—CWBII 49
Mass of Light Alleluia—CWBII 50
Mawby Alleluia—CWBII 51
Taizé Alleluia—CWBII 53

Use the verse appropriate to the day. It is useful to use one Gospel acclamation consistently throughout the season.

Resources

As One Voice 1, 2, and The Next Generation—AOV1, AOV2, AOVNG
Catholic Worship Book and Catholic Worship Book II—CWB, CWBII
Gather (3rd edition)—G
Gather Australia—GA
Psalms for Feasts and Seasons—PFS
Digital download—DD
Selected collection—SC

Advent Mass settings

In the season of Advent, it is appropriate to use a Mass setting that is well known to the singing assembly but different from the one used in Ordinary Time. Advent is a season of quiet but joyful hope, expectation and penitence: the music is not as exuberant as the music used in the Christmas season. The Mass setting chosen should be used throughout the Advent season. It is preferable to have carol services and nativity plays after 16 December, if possible, to preserve the character of Advent.

In Advent the use of the organ and other musical instruments should be marked by a moderation suited to the character of this time of year, without expressing in anticipation the full joy of the Nativity of the Lord.

—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §313

Please note that there is no Gloria sung in Advent.

Some suggested settings are:

Mass of Our Lady, Help of Christians (Connolly)—CWBII 23a, c, d, e
Mass of St Francis (Taylor)—CWBII 22a, c, e, g, h
Missa Emmanuel (Proulx)—DD (GIA)

Missa Emmanuel helps parishes to find the ‘sound’ of Advent through the familiar Advent hymn ‘O come, O come Emmanuel’, which also underpins this Mass setting.

Suggested psalm collections

Catholic Worship Book 1
Gather Australia
Gather (3rd Edition)
Marist Music Free Digital Download—DD (Marist Music)
Praise the Lord My Soul (Connolly)—DD (Willow Publishing, Australia)
Psallite: Sacred Song for Liturgy and Life—DD (Liturgical Press, Collegeville)
Psalms for All Time (Paul Mason)—DD (Liturgical Song, Australia)
Psalms for Feasts and Seasons (Willcock)—SC (Collins Dove)
Psalms for the Church’s Year (Heagney)—SC (Liturgical Song, Australia)
Psalms for the Sundays of Year A (O’Brien)—SC (self-published in Brighton, SA)
Responsorial Psalms: Year A (Smith)—SC (Willow Publishing, Australia)
Sing the Responsorial Psalms (McKenna)—SC (Willow Publishing, Australia)
The Lyric Psalter: Year A (Alonso/Haugen)—SC (GIA Publishing, Chicago)

Suggested Gospel acclamations

Advent Alleluia—CWBII 42
Celtic Alleluia—AOV1 13, CWBII 48, GA 141
Hallel Alleluia—CWBII 49
Mass of Light Alleluia—CWBII 50
Mawby Alleluia—CWBII 51
Taizé Alleluia—CWBII 53

Use the verse appropriate to the day. It is useful to use one Gospel acclamation consistently throughout the season.

Every day, across the world, many of our brothers and sisters are unjustly persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and Aid to the Church in Need are working in partnership to mark Red Wednesday throughout all parishes, schools and communities in our Archdiocese.

You are invited to join the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and participate in Red Wednesday, a day dedicated to praying for, and standing in solidarity with, Christians who face increasing violence, torture and often death for their peacefully held faith in Jesus Christ.

Red Wednesday is an initiative of the papal charity Aid to the Church in Need, dedicated to providing material and spiritual support to the persecuted Church.

Two-thirds of the world’s population live in countries where there are serious violations of religious freedom. We hear more stories of people bearing witness to their faith in horrific circumstances. Many of those families have found refuge and a new home in our city and surrounds.

By joining this international campaign, we can express something of being one Body of Christ, committing ourselves to being God’s hope-bearers and peacemakers in our world.

For further information, visit www.aidtochurch.org/RedWednesday.

Red Wednesday Prayer Vigil

All are welcome to St Patrick’s Cathedral for a Prayer Vigil with Exposition:

Wednesday 23 November 2022 at 7.30pm
St Patrick’s Cathedral, 1 Cathedral Place, East Melbourne

Joining many other cathedrals and churches around the world, St Patrick's Cathedral will be floodlit in red on this night.

Parish resources

Parishes are invited to celebrate their usual Mass on this day or hold another event for the intentions of persecuted Christians. You could even invite parishioners to wear red clothing.

Further information and resources, including a prayer card and suggested intercessions for the prayer of the faithful, can be downloaded below.

Prayer card

Prayer of the faithful suggestions

Red Wednesday brochure

Floodlighting instructions

Gospel

Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.

When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, Jesus said, ‘All these things you are staring at now—the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed.’ And they put to him this question: ‘Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?’

‘Take care not to be deceived,’ he said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand.” Refuse to join them. And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.’ Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

‘But before all this happens, men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name—and that will be your opportunity to bear witness. Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence, because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death. You will be hated by all men on account of my name, but not a hair of your head will be lost. Your endurance will win you your lives.’

(Luke 21:5–19)

Did you know?

Points of interest and Catholic lore

The Romans completely destroyed the temple in Jerusalem in AD 70. The Gospel of Luke was written after this event, so his readers would have known about the temple's annihilation.
Early Christian communities faced persecution both from the Jews, when they were expelled from the synagogues for their faith in Jesus as the Messiah, and from the secular authorities, when they refused to worship the emperor as a god. Luke is clearly aware of the tribulations that his community faces and seeks to alleviate their fears in this text.

Exploring the Word

This text must be read from the perspective of Luke’s community, who knew that the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and that the so-called Jewish Wars led to this act. Both Rome and the Jewish people were persecuting Christians; it must have seemed that the end was near. However, Luke recounts the words of Jesus—words designed to comfort his community and give them hope. Jesus warns his followers not to trust those who claim to know God’s plan for the end of times. Instead, they should know that God is with them no matter what happens. In the meantime, the Church must journey onwards, just as Jesus journeyed to Jerusalem and to his ultimate fate. However, God vindicated Jesus through his resurrection; he will do the same for Christian believers with the gift of eternal life. Our endurance in our faith will win our lives.

If you knew that tomorrow would be your last day, what would you do?
In the face of adversity, what is the source of your strength?

Making connections

Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer

Have you ever faced any ridicule or derision because of your decision to be baptised?
Describe a time of chaos or turmoil in your life. What sustained you, or gave you strength, during this difficult time? Share your reflections with others.
Have you ever faced a great challenge that you feared you might not be able to endure?
This week, accept the things you cannot change and change for the better those things that you can.
Use today’s communion antiphon this week:
To be near God is my happiness,
to place my hope in God the Lord.

Sharing the tradition

A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ

Numerous sects have tried to predict the end of the world and prepare for it. However, such literalism strongly misses the point. The Church believes that the ‘last day’ will come, and it longs for God’s triumph and victory over the forces of evil, including death. The Day of the Lord, which was inaugurated at Jesus’ resurrection, will be completed with his final coming in glory. Each Eucharist that we celebrate simultaneously looks back to Jesus' death and resurrection, making it present for us again, and looks forward to the coming of God’s kingdom. As Christians, we are people who wait in joyful hope; however, while we wait, we live in the reality of the present and try to build God’s kingdom on earth.

Discuss some of the strange sects that seek to predict the end. Why do you think people are attracted to them? Is it because they provide a simple answer with no personal responsibility?
Explore the relevant sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church that explain the Church’s understanding of the end times and judgment (CCC, §§668–682, 1038–1050).
Emphasise the importance of building the kingdom of God on earth in the present day.
How are we called to build this kingdom in practical ways each day?

Symbols and images

To describe the end of time, this gospel uses ‘apocalyptic’ language, which was commonly used in this period. Apocalyptic language is symbolic, and it should not be read literally. Ultimately, this text aims to provide faith and hope to people who were suffering persecution. God will protect and sustain them.

Living the Word

Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment

Examine the balance within your own community; consider how it emphasises the past death and resurrection of Jesus, the present call to live in the world and help build the kingdom of God, and the future expectation of Christ’s second coming.
You could use images of natural disasters and conflict from magazines and newspapers overlaid with a cross as a focus for prayer. Pray for all who suffer in our world to receive comfort and hope. A suitable song could be Restless Is the Heart (GA 239). Conclude with the prayer of exorcism in the RCIA at §94E, which looks forward to the second coming of Jesus.

Presider

God shines on us like the sun of justice, offering healing in his rays. We pray that God’s light will scatter the darkness of those who live in poverty or sickness and those whose lives are broken by violence.

Reader

We pray for Pope Francis and the bishops of our Church. May they open their minds and hearts to listen to those whom they serve.