Laetare Sunday

"By the Rivers of Babylon"
Philip Hermogenes Calderon

It may be Laetare Sunday but the Scripture readings for this Sunday have Psalm 136 for the Responsorial Psalm. This psalm which is sung only once or twice a year is a favorite of ours. Usually our responsorial psalms are sung simply using either psalm tones or an arrangement by Joseph Gelineau from the first editions put out in the early 60's.

However, this arrangement, also by Joseph Gelineau, is quite different and not exactly easy to sing. (Yes, the chantress realized that they squeaked in on the first verse!) This was recorded at Holy Mass this morning thus all the "background music" of throat clearing and coughing! Welcome to New Jersey Spring!

We hope you enjoy listening to this beautiful psalm and will charitably overlook the mistakes!

The chantresses were Sr. Denise Marie and Sr. Mary Catharine.