Methods for selecting 『Catholic Chant』 by analyzing the Communion Antiphons for Lent in 『Graduale Triplex』
Authors:   The Korean Society of Human and Nature, Lee Jeong-soon 
Published: July 2023

Mass in the Catholic Church consists of the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Communion Antiphon is a song that is sung while receiving Communion, the most important moment in the Eucharistic liturgy. The proper text of the Communion Antiphon reminds us of the key words of the Liturgy of the Word that day. However, at present, the proper text of the Communion Antiphon remains as a sentence, and instead, the Communion song for common times is sung. The limited classification of hymnals and the standardized selection of songs made songs with proper texts hidden. The purpose of this study is to actively help believers sing joyfully, reflecting on the message of the Word of the day by selecting a chant suitable for the proper text of the Communion Antiphon in the liturgy of the Mass. The scope of the study is the proper text of the Communion Antiphon during Lent. The research method is to analyze and utilize the sources of the 11 Communion Antiphons of the Gregorian chant in the 『Graduale Triplex』 and select appropriate songs from the 『Catholic Chant』. Among 『Catholic chant』, 8 songs that matched the proper text were selected. In addition, 15 related songs were selected, such as the lyrics of the proper text, the same liturgical meaning, and the words of the psalms in the Communion. The sources of the Communion Antiphons during Lent are 9 Gospels and 2 Psalms. Looking at the source of the word until the time of resurrection, 1 first reading and 2 second readings are included. The organic relationship between the various sources of the proper text and the liturgical text gave elasticity to the scope of application. One of the four new proper text was changed from the psalms to the gospel, and three songs were changed within the gospel, all of which developed into more specific and active gospel messages. As a result of the research, there were far more songs suitable for the proper text than expected. The richness of the Catholic Hymnal, which was made with the devotion of many people over a long period of time, was revealed. In order to further reveal the true value of Catholic hymnal, it is necessary to supplement the classification of hymnal and the information on the sources of words in more detail. In addition, if we refrain from a uniform selection of songs and select songs based on liturgical texts, the light of the Word and the joy of praise will be doubled. This is because the essence of liturgical chant lies in the Words and prayers. Therefore, the meticulous use of Catholic hymnal is a way to faithfully follow both the spirit of the <Gregorian Chant>, which is entirely centered on the Word, and the <Liturgical Charter>, which focuses on congregational praise. As a follow-up work, I plan to select songs that make use of the proper text of the Communion Antiphons of all liturgical seasons. It is hoped that this study will awaken the importance of the proper text and selection of the Communion Antiphon, and that the proper texts of the Communion Antiphon, which are not found in the Catholic hymnal, will be born as an easy and gracious chant for the congregation.