On Thursday, 5thJanuary 2012, the Interdiocesan Liturgical Commission invited directors, choir members and all those who offer a service in liturgical singing to the launching of the first book out of three which feature Responsorial Psalms that are prayed during the Sunday Mass throughout the year. His Grace, Archbishop Paul Cremona OP attended this activity which was held at Casa De Piro, Mdina. More than 80 persons from various parishes and Church organizations attended.
Mons Arthur Said Pullicino delivered the introductory speech. He expressed his satisfaction at the fact that this dream has now become a reality; through such an initiative, the Responsorial Psalms may now be prayed in a manner which befits the Sunday liturgy. Besides sharing some other information pertaining to liturgical matters, Mons Said Pullicino explained that this task was entrusted to Maestro Ray Sciberras. He urged Maltese Catholics to take full advantage of this initiative: besides the book, four Demo CD’s are also available. He continued to say that the Commission’s intention is to publish – at national level – a Hymn Book. He also invited all those who may be interested to present their compositions for the consideration of the Liturgical Commission.
Following Mons Said Pullicino’s address, Mr Joseph Casha, who together with Fr Jesmond Manicaro is the editor of the publication, stated that the idea behind the project is for the Diocese to have the necessary tool in order that the Responsorial Psalms may be sung in a manner which befits our contemporary culture, while at the same time bearing in mind the Church’s principles with respect to sacred music. He also stated that particular attention was paid in order for the music to express a strong religious and sacred sentiment, two cardinal qualities which Maestro Sciberras managed to incorporate with great skill. In fact he composed simple melodies which evoke strong sentiments of worship and prayer to God. Mr Casha described the book as an important step which realized the dreams of many people. After 50 years since the inception of our Maltese language into the liturgy, Maltese Christians finally possess, officially, a suitable corpus of sacred music, collected together in book form.
His Grace the Archbishop expressed his gratitude towards all those persons who were involved in the project. He said that the spiritual aspect should be the departure point for any artistic project, emphasizing that music should not in any way come between the believer and his dialogue with the Lord Jesus. He continued to state that if we fail to keep this in mind, then sacred music becomes little less than a concert and no longer arises from the heart.
Fr. Daniel Galea O. Carm, in the final speech, presented some useful Biblical information regarding the Psalms. He described the nature of the psalms and their use in the Temple liturgy. In much the same way as the other speakers, he referred to the spirit of prayer which one must have when reading the psalms, or when singing or composing music for psalms. After the speeches were held, two books (one containing musical scores and the other for the congregation) were presented to His Grace the Archbishop by Maestro Sciberras. At the end of the evening, the choir members who offered their service voluntarily in the production of the CD were presented with a souvenir of the occasion. The choir then sang some of the psalms.
Click on the photos to enlarge. The photos of the Archbishop’s events may be purchased from PHOTOCITY, Valletta. Tel: 21236723. Email: [email protected]