More Liturgical News from Kenrick Seminary, St. Louis

The following note came into the NLM today from one of our very good friends there:

Kenrick School of Theology, Archdiocese of Saint Louis, celebrated Ember Friday High Mass (EF), with commemoration of the North American Martyrs today, September 26, 2008. The day previous, after Lauds, a practice took place for the chant. As part of their on-going formation in the EF, the seminarians received a handout for personal lectio divina containing commentaries on Ember Friday by Dom Gueranger and Pius Parsch, as well as an explanation of the Station Church, the Twelve Holy Apostles.

Since many of the students are making their first acquaintance with Latin and Gregorian chant, and there is a limited time available for practice, we are beginning very simply. First, introduce the students to the Gregorian psalm tones. Then move toward singing the fuller chants of the Graduale Romanum, and learning more of the Mass Ordinaries. The entire seminary sings all the chants, led by the Schola Cantorum. Our present project is to learn the Requiem Mass for All Souls Day (EF) High Mass on November 3, 2008.