Today’s author is Prince of Peace member, Scott Tunseth.
Yesterday, the chancel choir along with Dan Ritter’s wonderful accompaniment presented a work entitled Missa Festiva by John Leavitt, who describes himself as a composer, conductor, pianist, and teacher. He has held teaching positions at several colleges but currently spends most of his time composing and serving as a guest conductor, lecturer, and clinician. His works, including Missa, have been performed in over thirty countries around the world.
Missa Festiva is Latin and roughly means “Joyous Sending.” The missa derives from the idea of “Go, it is the dismissal” or “Go, the Mass is over.” In later ecclesiastical Latin is simply referred to the “Mass.” Festiva is a feminine version of festivus, which has several meanings including “lively, festive, joyous, merry, etc.” So, it was appropriate that the choir sang the work at the end of the service as it was intended to do what our current worship theme (“Out the Door”) is all about. The music is intended to send us out into the world to live the mission (missio) to which we are called in Baptism.
The five movements of the work follow the sections of a traditional mass or liturgical setting. We often use these movements in our worship structure, though not all of them every Sunday.
The “Kyrie” is a prayer for Christ to be merciful to us. In response to God’s love and forgiveness we offer praise to God in the “Gloria.” The “Credo” is a singing version of the Creed, in which we profess faith in Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The “Sanctus” is another version of praise for God using the words, “holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts. Hosanna in the highest.” That music is often sung in the communion liturgy right before the words of institution are spoken. Lastly, the “Agnus Dei” is another prayer for mercy that focuses on the “Lamb of God” who takes away the sins of the world. We sometimes sing this in worship after the words of institution have been spoken and as we prepare to receive the gifts and bread and wine.
The words of Missa Festiva were sung in Latin, connecting us to the rich history of the church going back to the earliest days, but it is important to remember the meaning behind the text.
Each time we worship we pray, we praise, we receive, and we go “out the door” in joy and with a mission to serve the world.
Gracious God, we praise you and pray that in your abundant mercy your Spirit will lead us forth in joy to be your healing hands and voices in the world you created and love. Amen.