[Magdalen] Psalm - Whither Goeth Thou?

[Molly Wolf]

Does this performance tradition stem from the notion that the sacrifice was to be offered by the initiated on behalf of the unwashed masses?  It is indeed an ancient tradition (isn't that what rood screens are for?) but it has theological underpinnings that we've discarded.

Molly

The man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way. -- Mark Twain

> On Mar 13, 2015, at 12:27 PM, Robert Rea <gapetard at stsams.org> wrote:
> 
>> On Friday, March 13, 2015 12:41:07 AM Cantor03--- via Magdalen wrote:
>> A little liturgical fun -
>> 
>> I responded to this discussion at a completely different level, by  stating
>> what I have learned through the decades from the experts (I do not  include
>> myself as an "expert!").  My response was that there is no  historical
>> tradition for the Psalm in the context of the Eucharist to be of/for  the
>> assembly/congregation at all.  The Eucharistic Psalm is traditionally
>> of/for
>> the contribution of cantor/choir.
> 
> A sketch of that history would be useful at this point. Did the people ever 
> have this kind of participation in the Eucharist? If so, when, how, and why 
> did it end?
> 
>> The confusion stems from the tradition that Psalms in the Offices  (Morning
>> Prayer/Evensong) ARE of/for the assembly/congregation.  With the  almost
>> complete disappearance of Anglican Choral Morning Prayer, and the
>> infrequent appearance of Evensong (which is now almost always a  choral
>> extravaganza, ironically), the traditional use of Psalms in the Liturgies
>> has
>> been overlooked/forgotten.
> 
> I don't remember that tradition as being very participatory, more 
> professional/clerical performance in the presence of the laity. I had no sense 
> of participation. In that parish it ended when the choirmaster who handled the 
> men and boys choir left for another parish. I was grateful for the Eucharist 
> in that time space.
> 
> -- 
> Bob Rea
> mailto:gapetard at stsams.org
> http://www.petard.us
> http://www.petard.us/blog
> http://www.petard.us/gallery
> 
> What do you say to Jesus when he comes again?
> Where have you been? You said you were coming right back.
> 
>