Lent is a special time, a privileged Liturgical Season in the Church.  It is a time to more consciously turn away from sin and "up our game," fasting, doing penance, and giving alms.

The music we do at Mass takes on a different character during Lent as well.  It - like the church decor at this time - is more austere, a little thinner in texture, and certainly takes on more of a penitent tone.  The Church seems to focus on penitent Psalms at this time - such as Ps 27, 51, 91, 130, etc.  We hear hymns like, "Out of the Depths, I Cry to You," and the like.  This makes sense, since these forty days in a "desert" make way for the most festive time of the year - Easter tide, when the music takes a giant leap and blooms like spring flowers.

My challenge to all musicians this Lent is to let silence be a significant part of the Liturgy.  I am not doing any preludes during Lent, nor will I do a second Communion hymn or meditation.  I will offer silence.  Then, there will be a natural crescendo during Holy Week, culminating in the triumph of Easter at the Great Vigil and beyond.

As musicians, we are always find ourselves facing an unfortunate situation - something I call a near-faith experience.  It's all too easy to get busily caught up in executing our liturgical responsibilities that we can forget that we are attending Mass ourselves!  Let us take this time (and use the silence well) to bask in the presence of our Lord, and completely join the mystical Body of Christ in Holy Communion.  As always, we are first and foremost faithful Catholics, whose highest calling on Earth is to worship the Lord in the sacrifice of the Mass.

Thank you

--
John L. Wright

Director of Music, St. EAS