Latin in the Liturgy
Beginning this Advent (November 29th), the Northwest-5 parishes will begin to chant the Our Father (Pater Noster) Prayer in Latin at some of our Masses.
For most parishioners who don’t already know it, it may take a few weeks to become familiar with the chant melody and the pronunciation of the Latin words.
We will have cards in the pews to help with this, but there is no substitute for repetition of hearing, since that is the way most people learn music of any kind.
To that end, here are several links to videos that may help adults (and children) learn this beautiful and ancient chant.
For those viewing the musical scores, note that some of them use modern notation (with the melody in the five-bar ABCDEFG score that most musicians area familiar with today) while others use chant notation, also called Gregorian notation or square note notation, using the ancient system of notes used by church choirs from at least the 11th century.
Video of Single-Voice Chant:
Latin and English text - Male voice -Modern notation score
YouTube video of single voice chant -Latin text only -Female voice -Chant notation score
YouTube video of single voice chant -Latin text only (no score)
-Male voice
Audio File of Mass Congregation Singing Together:
Click on “Order of Mass”
Scroll down to Liturgy of the Eucharist section
Scroll down to Lord’s prayer / embolism / doxology
Scroll down to Latin
Hit play button
Audio only, male / female harmony
Words and Score from the Missal (modern notation):
Shortly after Pope Leo was elected, he began to celebrate some Masses in Latin (rather than the more customary Italian), emphasizing the universal sacred language of the Church’s liturgy. He has a great voice! This prompted the sacred music institutes at the Vatican to start a teaching series for children entitled, “Let’s sing with the Pope.” Here is the YouTube video from that series designed to teach youth the Paster Noster:
Latin text -Chant notation with “bouncing red ball” -Male voice
Pope Leo leading the Pater Noster at Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica - (No text or score – just video)