During these workshops we have been sharing the resources and best practices that will be helpful in the parish implementation of the Roman Missal, which we will start using on the First Sunday of Advent, November 27, 2011. One very important suggestion has to do with the music for the Roman Missal: We are strongly encouraging every parish throughout the Archdiocese to use the ICEL chants that will be found in the Missal and in every participation aid that is being published for use in the Liturgy. These beautiful chants are easy to sing and are readily available online at ICEL’s website.
The ICEL chant setting will be the official Mass setting for use throughout the Archdiocese of Boston. You may choose to use another musical setting of the Mass from one of the major publishers, but we would kindly ask you to begin by using the ICEL chants in November and to introduce other settings later on in the Liturgical year. The ICEL chants put the emphasis on the words, and it would be pastorally beneficial for us to choose the setting that is as uncomplicated as possible, so that the words we pray can become the focus. Upcoming opportunities for musicians throughout the Archdiocese to learn these settings will be announced in the coming weeks.