From the pure, simple chants of early Christianity to more complex harmonies of classical and contemporary compositions, music of the Church is reverent, joyful, mysterious, profound, and sustaining. At various times thoughout the year, the celebrations of the Mass are heightened, with deeper sorrows or greater joys reflected in the music. We encourage you to share with us in these exceptional liturgies to grow your faith.
November 1-3, 2023 – We celebrate All Saints and All Souls to honor our faithful departed in three special liturgies featuring the beautiful requiems chants of the church:
- Tuesday, November 1 – All Saints Day: Vespers 6:00 P.M., Mass 7:00 P.M. (STB). The St. Cecilia Choir sings music of two living composers: Justorum Animae (Kevin Allen) and O How Glorious (Philip Stopford).
- Wednesday, November 2 – All Souls Day: Mass 7:00 P.M. (OLG). The women of the St. Gregory the Great Schola Cantorum chant the English requiem chants.
- Friday, November 3 – First Friday, All Souls Day Requiem Mass 7:00 P.M. (STB). The men of the St. Gregory the Great Schola Cantorum chant the Latin requiem chants.
November 26, 2023, 11:00 A.M., and Vespers 6:30 P.M., Mass 7:30 P.M. – Christ the King. The combined parish choirs sing at the 11:00 A.M. Mass, Sing Joyfully to the Lord (William Byrd) and Sing We Merrily (Sidney Campbell); the St. Gregory the Great Schola Cantorum chants vespers at 6:30 P.M. and sings the Kyrie and Agnus Dei from the Messa a tre voci (Antonio Lotti) for the 7:30 P.M. Candlelight Mass. (STB)
Friday, December 1, 2023, 7:00 P.M. – First Friday Candlelight Mass for the final days of the liturgical year, featuring the Kyrie and Agnus Dei from Missa Ambrosii ad 2 voces inaequaules (Lorenzo Perosi). (STB)
Friday, December 8, 2023, Vespers 6:00 P.M., Mass 7:00 P.M. – The Feast of the Immaculate Conception sings praises to Our Blessed Mother, conceived without sin, with the Missa in honroem Reginae Pacis (Flor Peeters).
Friday, December 15, 2023, 6:30 A.M. – Rorate Mass. As dawn breaks, the world awaits the coming Light of the World in this lovely Advent votive mass to honor His holy mother. The St. Gregory the Great Schola Cantorum chants the propers and sings O Radiant Dawn (James MacMillan). (STB)
Sunday, December 17, 2023, 4:00 P.M. – A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols features traditional readings with seasonal music by combined choirs and instrumentalists in a joyous celebration of the Christmas season. Repertoire includes new composition Christmas Hath a Darkness (Chaz Bowers). (STB)
Sunday, December 24, 2023, 11:00 P.M. – Choral prelude to the Mass at Midnight featuring Gloria in D Major, R589, by Antonio Vivaldi. Choirs, Brass, and Orchestra. Mass follows at midnight. (STB)
Sunday, January 7, 2024, 11:00 A.M. and Vespers 5:30 P.M., Mass 7:30 P.M. – The combined parish choirs sing for Epiphany at the 11:00 AM Mass, In the Bleak Midwinter (Harold Darke) and There Shall A Star (Felix Mendelssohn). Vespers feature the Magnificat octavi toni (Orlando di Lasso) and O Magnum Mysterium (Tomas Luis de Victoria). (STB)
Friday, February 2, 2024, 7:00 P.M. – MASSterworks presentation of Yves Castagnet’s ethereal Messe Brève, with area choristers joining to sing this beautiful candlelit First Friday liturgy. (STB)
Advent Lessons & Carols
Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 4:00 P.M; Organ Prelude at 3:30 P.M
St. Bernard Church
St. Michael the Archangel Parish’s adult and children’s choirs, schola, handbell choir, and instrumentalists combine for the annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.