Music

The Solemn Mass is at the heart of the Parish’s liturgical and musical life and is the richest expression of the Church’s Holy Sacrifice. As such, it is celebrated with full ceremonial on Sundays at 12 NOON at St. Vincent Ferrer, on major feast days, and to mark important occasions in the community. The Schola Cantorum, the Parish’s professional choir, sings for every Solemn Mass. Schola Cantorum is the official term used by the Catholic Church to denote a liturgical choir and means “school of singing.”

The Schola chants the Propers of the Mass–the Entrance, Offertory, and Communion Antiphons, the Responsorium (the Dominican version of the Gradual), and the Alleluia–according to the Dominican Graduale, the chant book particular to the Order of Preachers. Offertory and Communion motets follow their respective Antiphons, and in privileged seasons and on feastdays, a choral Mass Ordinary is offered. This broad range of repertoire surveys the very best in our treasured Catholic musical patrimony. The celebrant’s orations, Credo, Preface, and Pater noster are also sung at the Solemn Mass.