Mass Of The Blessed Sacrament

When we prepare for the Penitential Rite, we often look for a setting that truly draws the congregation into a spirit of reflection and mercy. Albert Gomez’s "Mass Of The Blessed Sacrament" offers exactly that with this beautiful Kyrie. Instead of having a cantor chant the invocations separately, this arrangement weaves the traditional Latin tropes directly into the choral score.

You can hear the thoughtful structure right from the opening bars. The sopranos lead the first plea, "Qui missus et sanare contritos corde," before the choir joins in the "Kyrie eleison." Then, the basses take up the second invocation, calling out "Qui peccatores vocare venisti" (You came to call sinners), leading into a rich, harmonized "Christe eleison." Finally, the sopranos return to ask for the intercession of the One seated at the right hand of the Father.

It is a wonderful piece for a choir to sing during the introductory rites of the Mass. The gentle, flowing lines and the interplay between the voice parts give the singers a chance to pray the words deeply, setting a reverent and peaceful tone for the rest of the liturgy.