The BVM

Yesterday was the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary or the Feast of St. Mary the Virgin, depending upon the catholicity of ones feelings about the role of Mary in the Church. Laurent, Ryan, and I went to St. Paul's K Street for their evening Procession and Solemn Mass.

After the introit chant, the choir and clergy processed around the church, first to the hymn Salve Regina Coelitum (Hail, Holy Queen enthroned above—remember the tune from Sister Act?), and then after a collect at the Lady Altar, to Parry's Rustington (Sing we of the blessed Mother). Other hymns for the evening were Willan (Hail Mary, full of grace) as the sequence, Mater Amabilis (Ave, Maria! O Maiden, O Mother) after communion, and then Daily, daily (Ye who own the faith of Jesus) as the recessional. My friend John, the new organist, was singing alto in choir, and at the organ was the organist from the Washington National Cathedral (who was quite fond of the tuba mirabilis in the narthex antiphonal division).

They did Mozart's Spatzen-Messe, KV 220 for the Mass setting. I liked the setting, although I do believe the Benedictus was longer than the Gloria! The choir sang Robert Parson's "Ave Maria" setting for the offertory anthem, and the Agnus Dei from the Mass setting served as the communion motet. Anglican chant for the psalm was by Edgar F. Day.

Fr. Milton Williams from St. Timothy's, and a former seminarian at K Street, served as guest preacher. He was entertaining, and one can tell that he used to be Southern Baptist.

There was, alas, no reception or wine and cheese after the Mass. I was surprised.

Here's a bad video of the offertory anthem, for those who like English Reformation music. Sorry the audio is garbled....something is happening on the upload to YouTube....we're working on the problem.