Lenten Gospel Acclamations
This is a friendly reminder that this coming Sunday we bid farewell to the Alleluia, in favor of other texts at the gospel acclamation. While there are a few options available in the lectionary, I would like to encourage any reader to check out two options available on this site.
This version above is composed in a chant-esque style and is very approachable for people in the pews. You can find the score here.
Also available, and new this year is the following, which is based on the Lent II offertory, “Meditábor in mandátis tuis” (which translates as, “I will meditate on Your commandments”—a fitting prayer to make before listening to the Gospel!).
The melody of the refrain outlines the incipit of the original chant nearly 1:1. A deliberate choice, the refrain begins in unison (fitting for the restrained sobriety required by Lenten rubrics) but blooms into sudden harmony on “Lord Jesus Christ”.
You can find this second version here.
As always, the purchase of these arrangements permits the purchaser to print as many copies are are needed (for one year) for their cantors and choirs, the work may be live-streamed (audio) and special pdfs with just the refrain melody are provided for convenient printing in worship aids (this latter, refrain-only document may also be displayed on projection screens or live-stream feeds). We strive to make our arrangements as flexible as possible to use!
If these settings aren’t the right fit for your parish, but you are wondering what your other options might be, the lectionary permits the following acclamations during Lent:
Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ, Wisdom of God the Father!
Glory to you, Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ!
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God!
Praise and honor to you, Lord Jesus Christ!
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!
Marvelous and great are your works, O Lord!
Salvation, glory, and power to the Lord Jesus Christ.
I wish you all a happy and spiritually-rich Lent!
