Passion Narrative

[fan312]

Sorry if this is in the wrong sub-forum, but this is a burning question in my mind.

Is the Passion Narrative supposed to be chanted, or just plainly spoken?
Or does it depend on the day? (i.e, Palm Sunday = spoken, Good Friday = chanted)

 

[Joan_M]

Sorry if this is in the wrong sub-forum, but this is a burning question in my mind.

Is the Passion Narrative supposed to be chanted, or just plainly spoken?
Or does it depend on the day? (i.e, Palm Sunday = spoken, Good Friday = chanted)

I have never heard the Passion Narrative chanted, not even before VII - I am old enough to remember that clearly.

Remember, these days, most parishes would not be able to chant anything, much less the Passion!!

 

[pianistclare]

I have never heard the Passion Narrative chanted, not even before VII - I am old enough to remember that clearly.

Remember, these days, most parishes would not be able to chant anything, much less the Passion!!

Chanting is not hard. Anyone can do it.

 

[Generic_Name]

I have never heard the Passion Narrative chanted, not even before VII - I am old enough to remember that clearly.

Remember, these days, most parishes would not be able to chant anything, much less the Passion!!

I heard it chanted by three quite capable priests yesterday. It was lovely.

 

[twf]

It can be chanted on both occasions though it isn’t required. Yesterday at my cathedral the Passion Narrative was simply read but much of the mass was chanted. I’m not sure if they do it every year, but I remember hearing the Passion Narrative on Good Friday completely chanted one year.
In fact, the Gospel can always be chanted at mass and should be on more solemn occasions. If you watch televised papal masses you will note that the Gospel is often chanted by a deacon.

 

[Neofight]

At our parish, the Passion Narrative is read by the priest and 3 lay lectors. The Priest reads the words of Jesus, the lectors the narratives and parts of the other figures in the scripture.

 

[pianistclare]

At our parish, the Passion Narrative is read by the priest and 3 lay lectors. The Priest reads the words of Jesus, the lectors the narratives and parts of the other figures in the scripture.

Same most everywhere in our Archdiocese.

 

[Gorgias]

I heard it chanted by three quite capable priests yesterday. It was lovely.

I’ve heard some folks talk about a chanted Passion.

Tell me … how long was it, when chanted? (In a parish context, when there’s likely to be another Mass that follows, the question might seem to be whether it’s practical to chant the whole Passion…)

 

[CB_Catholic]

I’ve heard some folks talk about a chanted Passion.

Tell me … how long was it, when chanted? (In a parish context, when there’s likely to be another Mass that follows, the question might seem to be whether it’s practical to chant the whole Passion…)

It should not take much longer than reading it. I haven’t heard it chanted, but one of our priests regularly chants most of the Mass and it does not run over the usual time.

 

[ProVobis]

It’s more likely to be chanted at a Latin High Mass. In fact, it’s supposed to be.

It seems to be easier to follow in the handmissal.

 

[corsair]

Right on, Pro Vobis. all four of the Passion Narratives will be chanted this week. Matthew was chanted on Palm Sunday. Then the Gospel of Mark on Tuesday of Holy week. On Spy Wednesday the Gospel of Luke is chanted. On Good Friday, we have scripture lessons from Osee, Exodus, then the Narrative of John, the Great Intercessions, Adoration of the Cross, then Communion. Then all is silent and dark until the lighting of the fire on the night of the Vigil.

May you all have a Blessed and Holy Easter.

 

[Gorgias]

It should not take much longer than reading it. I haven’t heard it chanted, but one of our priests regularly chants most of the Mass and it does not run over the usual time.

Hmm… chanting shorter snippets would seem not to have as great an effect on time as chanting a long, multiple-voice piece…

 

[GoGoDiego]

You may either read or chant the passion on both days.

 

[Chatter163]

IME, it takes about 25 minutes to chant the Passion, both on Palm Sunday and Good Friday.

 

[Neofight]

Chant, read…no difference…as long as you listen with your heart, and not just your ears. It should be the message, not the medium that resounds.

Peace and all good!

 

[ProVobis]

Chant, read…no difference…as long as you listen with your heart, and not just your ears. It should be the message, not the medium that resounds.

Changes in pitch and inflection inter alia have meaning too. The text isn’t everything.

 

[Neofight]

Changes in pitch and inflection inter alia have meaning too. The text isn’t everything.

I agree, text is not everything, but changes in pitch and inflection are of no consequence to God are even less important

…otherwise those without the ability to or speak are not heard by the Lord, or those without the talent to chant or sing and can read only are not found pleasing to the Lord.

And, we all know that is not true!

 

[twf]

I agree, text is not everything, but changes in pitch and inflection are of no consequence to God are even less important

…otherwise those without the ability to or speak are not heard by the Lord, or those without the talent to chant or sing and can read only are not found pleasing to the Lord.

And, we all know that is not true!

Of course those who cannot sing or speak are still heard by God, but in the context of the. Church’s sacred worship these things do matter. You said the message will be the same regardless. This is true, but the Church doesn’t simply proclaim the Gospel in mass for the message- that is part of it- but even more so it, together with the whole liturgy, is offered to God as a sacrifice of praise. The mass, the liturgy, is the prayer of Christ Himself offered to the Father which the Church makes her own. The Church thus calls us to offer our best talents. The Church has always seen great value in chant and a chanted mass is considered more solemn. Vatican II declared that chant is to have pride of place in our churches. In the Eastern Churches, the idea of simply reading the Gospel rather than chanting it would be unthinkable.