Cambridge Seminarian: My Hometown's Parish Church - Latin

Thanks to Our Lady of Grace Parish, I learned how to sing and say some prayers in Latin. It was a small step in understanding the Mass Setting. Thanks to the Liturgists of the Archdiocese who inspired me in Musicam Sacram and deepened my love in the Liturgy.

Pastorella

The pastorella (Misa de Pastores in honor of the shepherds at the birth of Jesus Christ - a set of Latin hymns of the 9-day Christmas Masses), ceased in Pampanga towns for 40 years after Vatican II. In Mabalacat, however, at Our Lady of Divine Grace Parish, pastorella lived on: in the dawn Mass, the pastorella repertoire included the Kyrie (Lord, Have Mercy), Gloria (Glory to God in the Highest), Credo (Apostle's Creed), Sanctus (Holy) and Agnus Dei (Lamb of God). The hymns were in Latin, except for Kyrie, which was in Greek."

Holy Week's repertoire is in the local dialect, which is Kapampangan, but some of the songs especially hymns to accompany the congregation in kissing the Holy Cross during Good Friday are in Spanish and Latin. Other latin hymns are Salve Regina, Tantum Ergo, Pange Lingua, Stabat Mater, Regina Coeli and some Taize chants.

Our Lady of Grace Parish Church

Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga

Philippines