Would you like to learn how to sing the Canon of the Mass in English? Click the link at right, and follow along!
If you would like to know a little background of how this page came about:
I am a missionary to Japan (temporarily stateside), and in my 17 years there, I loved the fact that Japanese priests always sing the Holy Mass on Sunday (in Japanese, of course). With the help of some kind Japanese Carmelite Sisters, I learned to sing it too, and it is still a thrill to sing the Mass and hear the people sing the responses. The Mass becomes holier, or so I feel.
So it occurred to me: Why don't I sing it IN ENGLISH when I visit the U.S.? After a bit of practice, I learned to sing the Second Eucharistic Prayer (the sheet music is towards the back of the Sacramentary). The responses I have gotten in U.S. Churches are very positive. Some priests even asked me if I could help teach them.
The easiest way to learn is by singing along with someone else. So, if you click on the link at right, "Play/Download Sung Mass" you can follow along with me singing it. A left click will start it playing, and a right click (using "save target as") will save the music file for later. You may learn it faster while following the sheet music, which is in the Sacramentary, appendix section "Music for the Order of the Mass," Eucharistic Prayer II.
Sing along, and don't give up after the first try! It will come to you.
For those who would prefer a cassette of the same, send a self addressed letter size envelope with three stamps on it to:
Fr. Kevin Hanlon, M.M.
Maryknoll Fathers and Bros.
Maryknoll NY 10545-0305
If you have trouble with the link, send me your email address, and I will send it to you attached file-wise.
Any helpful comments or suggestions, email me at the address given. I hope to have more parts of the Mass on this page soon. Somebody asked if I could sing it in a lower key than the one in the book. If anyone needs that, please email me.
May Our Lady be with you as we all try to sing the Mass well!
