Parishes that are interested in making a beginning with the Proper texts of the Mass, yet do not yet know where to begin, might be interested in this resource.
I’ve “translated” each of the daily Entrance Antiphons for the Masses of Advent into Long Meter hymn form, so that they may be sung to many familiar, common hymn tunes. Examples of tunes that would work well are the tunes for Jesus Shall Reign, or I Know that My Redeemer Lives, All People That on Earth Do Dwell, or Advent tunes such as the tune for Creator of the Stars of Night, or even O Come, O Come, Emanuel.
Parishes accustomed to singing an entrance hymn can easily substitute these antiphons for the Entrance hymn, or sing them before or after the Entrance Hymn on a Sunday, without needing special musical notation or rehearsal. Feel free to print off the image below on regular letter-sized paper and keep them in the pews or on a table for daily Mass. Then simply choose a tune that is familiar to the local parish, and begin singing the antiphon in this low-key, easy way.
Kathleen, I just wanted to let you know that we used the Advent Introit during 2012 Advent–since our parish is not accustomed to the actual Introit, we sang several verses for the Processional to the melody of Veni, Veni, Emanuel. It worked wonderfully! Perhaps this Advent we will use a different melody, Creator Alma Siderum would work nicely, I think.
God bless your work!
Thank you for letting me know!
I've heard similar feedback from others, and I find it both touching and quite encouraging. One of the most poignant comments was, "This is the ONLY way we can sing the propers at my parish."
I don't intend these hymn introits to substitute for propers in the long run, but for now, for some, they seem to come in handy.