Missa de Angelis Questions and Answers

January 11, 2024

Q: Why are we learning the Missa de Angelis at Nativity?

  • We’re learning the Missa de Angelis (Mass of the Angels), because Gregorian Chant is the essential reference point for all other liturgical music. The originality, balanced proportions, dignity, and beautiful simplicity of chant form the building blocks for all liturgical music. For a long time, this particular Mass Setting was one of the best-known plainchant settings of the ordinary of the Mass.  

Q. What does the church say about Gregorian Chant?

  • Throughout history, “the Church recognizes Gregorian chant as being especially suited to the Roman Liturgy. Therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical service” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, Dogmatic Constitution on Sacred Liturgy, pg. 72). Subsequent documents written here by the United States bishops invite parishes to “learn and sing together in these Mass settings when possible and without becoming exclusive” (Sing to the Lord, Music in divine worship, USCCB, pgs. 74–75).

Q. What are other benefits of learning and singing Gregorian Chant?

  • The Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei from the Missa de Angelis are made up of words and melodies that saints, both human and angelic, have sung. Through it, we are brought into communion with the Body of Christ that expands through generations and millennia. Through this connection to the treasury of the church, our liturgy, supported by this congregational singing, fosters a deeper experience of encounter with God for us all.

Q. What is the best way to learn the Missa de Angelis? 

  • Besides the intensive pre-Mass rehearsals you have participated in from the beginning of November through the Christmas Season (concluding on Epiphany of the Lord), the best way to learn the Missa de Angelis is to stay tuned to upcoming workshops focused on the Mass setting and Gregorian Chant, and to visit our music ministry page on our website, which offers access to sheet music and audio links. 

Q. Will we always have Pre-Mass rehearsals?

  • No, we are currently discontinuing pre-Mass rehearsals. Pre-Mass rehearsals may be resumed occasionally, as needed.

Q. Is Nativity moving toward the extraordinary/Tridentine form of the mass? 

  • No, please be assured that Nativity is not moving toward the extraordinary/Tridentine form of the Mass. We will continue to use the Novus Ordo form.

Q. Will we be exclusively singing Missa de Angelis for the foreseeable future? 

  • No, the Missa de Angelis will constitute one of the Mass Settings that Nativity will use at Mass. 

Q. Does learning the Missa de Angelis signal that we’ll be using less and less English in our liturgical music?

  • No, when we use the Missa de Angelis in our liturgy or any other pieces in Latin, we will be sure to maintain the proper balance between English and Latin.

Q. Does the focus on the Missa de Angelis mean that other contemporary Mass Settings and/or hymns are less valid/prayerful?

  • No, not at all! One of the beautiful aspects of the Catholic tradition is the diversity of cultural and liturgical expressions. Many forms of liturgical music, from Gregorian Chant to Contemporary Praise and Worship, have a part in fostering a deep encounter with God.

Q. How does a hymn in Latin help me to grow closer to God, rather than singing a hymn in English?

  • Prayer is not lessened by praying in English. Making an effort to learn the proper pronunciation and melody to sing these few Gregorian Chants that the Church still encourages us to sing (please see the translations in the Gloria Music Supplements in the pews) shapes our way of praying and introduces us to the Mystery, even if it’s not immediately appealing to our sensibilities. Liturgy has the dual purpose of expressing our worship of God and also of forming our prayer.

Q. How can I express myself to God if I don’t speak Latin?

  • It’s not necessary to be fluent in Latin, but only to learn to pronounce the words and learn the melody in the Gloria Music Supplement. Familiarity with the Latin text and melody is the door through which we can foster an encounter with God.

 

MISSA DE ANGELIS


MUSIC AT NATIVITY

We are the musicians at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in beautiful Broomfield, Colorado. We provide music for five weekend Masses, as well as feasts, holidays, and other events throughout the year.

Our music ministry is comprised of amateur and professional musicians who come together to provide the highest quality of worship music. We cover 900 years of sacred music, ranging from chant to praise and worship, traditional hymns to sacred classical music.

Liturgical music points to the encounter with God present among us, inviting us to enter into prayer as we respond to the presence of Christ. Music has the power to move hearts, not through performance, but through the action of the Holy Spirit in prayer. 

The ultimate goal of music in the liturgy is to praise and glorify the Lord by singing and praying well. We aim to glorify God and to sanctify and edify the faithful. In other words, it’s to beautifully proclaim the holiness of God, and to make us more holy.

In a speech from 2010, Pope Benedict XVI once said that “music is capable of opening minds and hearts to the dimension of the spirit and leads people to lift their gaze to the Most High, to open themselves to the absolute Good and Beauty whose ultimate source is in God.” (Speech 04.29.10)

It is with great enthusiasm that we gather to join the choirs of angels in singing God’s praise; we hope you will join our growing music community.


 

MUSIC ENSEMBLES

 

COMBINED CHOIR
For feasts, holidays, special occasions

The Nativity Combined Choirs is a group made up of members from all choirs who come together once a week to learn the treasures of our rich Catholic musical heritage. They rehearse weekly on Thursdays and sing on feasts and holidays with our professional orchestra.

Rehearsals:
Thursday at 7:10 PM in the Church, and on Sunday at 8:45 AM
Fall rehearsals begin in August
Spring rehearsals begin in January

Requirement: Quick vocal placement


CHILDREN’S CHOIR
Second Sundays, 9:30 AM Mass, September - May

The Children’s Choir welcomes all young singers grades 2-6 to sing with us! 

Rehearsals:
Tuesday at 4 PM in the Church


FUNERAL CHOIR

The Funeral Choir is one of our most rewarding ministries, as it offers support to our parish’s grieving families. If you like to sing and have morning availability during the week, please consider joining this group. While it is a ministry to the church, it is also a gift to the families.

Rehearsals:
Prior to funerals as they are scheduled.


GOSPEL CHOIR
Second Sundays, 5:00 PM Mass

Nativity's Gospel Choir welcomes teens and young adult singers (ages 15-23) who would like to share their faith through gospel music. This vibrant group sings a mix of praise and worship and gospel. If you are interested in auditioning or would like to learn more about this exciting new opportunity, please contact Kim Siurek at rksiurek@sbcglobal.net or Michelle Gallegos at gallegosmichelle@comcast.net.


LUX CONTEMPORARY
Saturday 4:30 PM Mass

Lux (“light”) sings a mix of contemporary and traditional hymns at the Saturday 4:30 PM Mass. We welcome enthusiastic singers to join our ensemble.

Rehearsals:
Saturday at 3:45 PM


7:30 AM SUNDAY CHOIR

Nativity’s mixed-adult voice choir welcomes enthusiastic singers and instrumentalists to join our Mass at Dawn ensemble.

Rehearsals:
Sunday at 6:45 AM
Fall rehearsals begin in August.
Spring rehearsals begin in January.

Requirement: Quick vocal placement


9:30 AM SUNDAY CHOIR

Nativity’s principal mixed adult voice choir welcomes enthusiastic singers and instrumentalists (C or Bb) who have a love of sacred music—especially of part singing—to join our dynamic ensemble. We sing repertoire ranging 900 years, from chant to contemporary, including masterworks of sacred classical music repertoire.

Rehearsals:
Thursday at 7:10 PM in the Church, and on Sunday at 8:45 AM
Fall rehearsals begin in August
Spring rehearsals begin in January

Requirement: Quick vocal placement


SCHOLA BORROMEO
Sunday 11:30 AM Mass

The Schola Borromeo is our chant and polyphony choir that focuses on pre-1750 sacred music, such as gregorian chant and motets by Palestrina, Byrd, and Tallis.

Rehearsals:
Thursday at 6:10 PM in the Church, and on Sunday at 10:45 AM
Fall rehearsals begin in August
Spring rehearsals begin in January

Requirement: Quick vocal placement


VENIA PRAISE & WORSHIP
Sunday 5:00 PM Mass

Venia (“grace”) is our contemporary (Praise and Worship) band that sings weekly at the 5:00 PM Mass. Venia (pronounced VEH-nee-ah) is an exciting and vibrant young group who loves to sing and praise the Lord! The band is not currently accepting new members, but stay tuned for the next opportunity to join this great group.


INSTRUMENTALISTS

Parishioners who play an instrument proficiently are invited to participate more fully in the mass by playing weekly with one of our weekend Masses. All instruments are very welcomed, particularly C and Bb symphonic instruments.


QUESTIONS?
Email the Director of Sacred Music, Mr. Frederick Proulx, at: f.proulx@nool.us.