Having concluded the Liturgy of the Word we transition to the Liturgy of the Eucharist with the Presentation of the Gifts. This is relatively a low point in the rhythm of the Mass. We take time to assess all that we have to be thankful to God for, we take up the collection, we present and prepare the gifts at the table.
Musically we have a couple of options. There can be a congregational song, a choral piece or even an instrumental. Texts chosen for choral or congregational song should reinforce the Gospel message or at least reflect the liturgical season. The music will help us to make the transition from the table of the word to the table of the eucharist.
After the Second Vatican Council the music mandated for the Eucharistic Acclamations called for the participation of the Assembly as primary. To musicians this meant that all those great mass settings by composers like Mozart and Palestrina would have to be abandoned for use at Mass and moved to the concert hall.
New music needed to be composed that would include the voices of everyone present at worship. We are currently singing (at most of the Masses) the “Mass of Creation” which has become the most universal mass setting used throughout the United States. If you travel and attend Mass, chances are you’ll be able to participate in the singing when the music ministry has chosen this popular setting. The Eucharistic Acclamations include the “Holy, Holy,” the “Memorial Acclamation” (Christ has died, or dying you destroyed our death, and the “Great Amen.”
Something surprising: the “Mass of Creation” was composed by Marty Haugen, a Lutheran. (January 30, 2005)