Caelorum

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Caelorum
of Heaven
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Caelorum of Heaven

• The Eucharist is the Source and summit of the
  Christian life
• Adoration of the Eucharist leads us to heavenly
  worship and reverence at Mass
• The music aids us in our reflection, brings
  focus, and opens our heart to the Holy Spirit
• Prayer Conversation

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The Rite of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction

• Exposition of the Holy Eucharist, either in a
  ciborium or in a monstrance, leads us to
  acknowledge Christs marvelous presence in the
  sacrament and invites us to the spiritual union
  with him that culminates in sacramental
  communion. In such exposition care must
  therefore be taken that everything brings out the
  meaning of Eucharistic worship in correlation
  with the Mass. (Holy Communion and Worship of
  the Eucharist Outside Mass, no. 82)
• Caelorum conforms to the rite of the Church while
  placing a particular emphasis on musical prayer
  as a method of renewal and evangelization.
• All elements of Caelorum must follow the Churchs
  guidance

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The Rite of Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction

• Ergo, our musical elements are prayer-focused
• Musical style
• Performance
• Professionalism
• Posture
• Energy
• Song selection
• Anything less will distract from prayer

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Elements of Musical Presentation

• Musical Style
• Overall reverent contemporary
• Fun is not a goal
• The lyrics must be primary
• Performance
• Not drawing attention or distraction
• Dont move around a lot
• Be prepared - know the music to the point of ease
• Proper showmanship when errors occur

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Elements of Musical Presentation

• Professionalism
• Not loose or relaxed, but purposeful
• A level of decorum
• Dress should be appropriate for Church Not
  casual, but also not overdone in a showy way.
  Band follows suit.
• Posture
• Follow the postures of The Rite
• Kneel while playing if possible, great witness
• Singers Hands open in prayer or hands folded

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Elements of Musical Presentation

• Energy
• Opening is purposefully joyful and energetic
• Dont move from energetic to overloaded
• In general less is more
• Adoration music is solemn, but not boring -
  purposeful
• Song Selection
• Choose songs that are familiar, simple, and
  singable
• During Adoration follow The Rite (ie Latin
  hymns)
• Become fans of and share the sacredness of these
  works
• Follow the goal Get people singing and
  worshipping

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• Spoken guidance
• Many are not familiar with The Rite
• Spoken directions are needed at certain points
  during the service. ie Please kneel.
• Be sensitive to those who may not be able to
  kneel for long periods and announce the option
  to be seated during the extended Adoration
  time.
• When worshipping with young people, clear
  direction for each element is even more
  important
• Caelorum can be an opportunity for catechesis
  of the heart

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Technology and Caelorum

• Sound support
• This is sometimes needed
• Consult your pastor on what is allowed in church
• Use what is necessary, but control overall volume
• Separate system is helpful
• Does not disrupt parish sound settings
• Enables more control over quality and volume
• Clarity is tantamount

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Technology and Caelorum

• Projection Awe-full or Awful?
• Consult your pastor on what is allowed
• Lyrics and prayers on the screen can be great
  people are not fumbling for worship aids during
  prayers and songs
• Allows for darker lighting and ambience
• Use slides that are
• CLEAR
• CLEAN
• SIMPLE
• LITURGICAL

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Technology and Caelorum

• More on Projection
• If used, do not reveal switching between songs
• Have tech cover the lens or use double-screen
  option. Having the actions of the tech visible
  to the room is very distracting.
• During the switch, music group should continue to
  play end of previous song to avoid awkward
  pauses.
• Do not have projector on during Adoration period
  at all
• Songs here are meditative and lyrics are not
  needed.
• Jesus is the focus.
• In general, lyric and prayer projection are tools
  for worship, not a cool element - graphics
  should follow that principle.

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Lighting

• Candles
• Already part of the rite
• Lights down
• During the adoration, helps to focus attention on
  altar
• Music lights for stands
• Single spot is dramatic if possible

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The Caelorum Service
Program Elements

• Welcome and Introduction (5)
• Opening Praise and Theme Song (25)
• The Rite Exposition (5)
• The Rite Reading and Reflection (15)
• The Rite Adoration with Music (25)
• The Rite Benediction and Reposition (5)
• Thanksgiving and Closing (10)
• Total 90 minutes

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Caelorum Step By Step
Welcome and Introduction (5)

• Host welcomes assembly
• Brief explanation
• Caelorum name
• Confessions (if applicable)
• General time schedule
• Introduce the theme
• Brief explanation sets the tone for the service
• Explanation of praise
• Encouragement to sing, participate

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Caelorum Step By Step
Opening Praise and Theme Song (25)

• Goal is to our turning from ourselves to God
• Opening Praise
• Songs energetic, upbeat not grooving or fun
• Who He is, what He has done The Magnificat is
  model
• Song transitions should be smooth - simple chord
  progression, e.g. between 4 and 5
• Give time to switch to next song
• Theme Song - expresses one idea or quality
• Extra time allows this song to breathe aids
  meditation
• Ends the time of praise, transitions to worship
• Go to a prayerful silence

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Caelorum Step By Step
The Rite Exposition (5)

• After the people have assembled, a song may be
  sung while the presider comes to the altar.
• Please kneel
• O Salutaris
• Presider will process in, place the Eucharist on
  the altar, and incense while kneeling in front
  of altar.
• O Come Let Us Adore Him
• People know song
• A brief period of silence
• We respond in prayer

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Caelorum Step By Step
The Rite Reading and Reflection (15)

• To encourage a prayerful spirit, there should be
  readings from Sacred Scripture with a homily or
  brief exhortations to develop a better
  understanding of the Eucharistic mystery.
• Reading chosen by Celebrant
• Assembly may be seated.
• Reading preferably chosen with theme in mind.
• eg Readings from the Year of the Priest service
• As an addition readings from the saints could be
  used.
• Simple reflection of about 10 minutes

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Caelorum Step By Step
The Rite Adoration with Music (25)

• It is also desirable for the people to respond
  to the word of God by singing and to spend some
  periods of time in sacred silence.
• Confessions can begin (if applicable)
• Assembly may kneel or be seated
• Music is reflective, worshipful
• The goal of this music is that it becomes
  unnecessary
• Soft, meditative, solo songs can be used here
• Very sparse instrumentation - think John Michael
  Talbot
• Simple ideas and words

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Caelorum Step By Step
The Rite Adoration with Music (25)

• Move towards meaningful silence
• Do not be afraid of silence
• Music progresses into chant if possible, Taize
  response
• Then, a period of at least 5 minutes of silence
• Optional Prayer Response
• An invitation is made for people to come and pray
  before the Eucharist if desired
• An opportunity for conversion, renewal
• An outward sign of love to Christ
• End period of prayer with simple sung refrain
  from theme song or other suitable song

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Caelorum Step By Step
The Rite Benediction and Reposition (5)

• Toward the end of the exposition the presider
  goes to the altar, genu?ects and kneels. Then a
  hymn or other Eucharistic song is sung.
• Tantum Ergo with incensation all kneel
• Order for Benediction
• Tantum Ergo with incensation
• Priest prayer and response (usually chanted)
• Blessing with Monstrance
• Divine Praises (said or sung)

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Caelorum Step By Step
The Rite Benediction and Reposition (5)

• The Divine Praises
• Unison if possible, spoken or sung
• Projected words can be helpful here
• Holy God We Praise Thy Name
• This is the traditional song for Reposition
• Music begins softly, purposefully moves to
  strong
• Assembly stands
• Presider brings the Blessed Sacrament to the
  Tabernacle and leaves worship area
• Use two verses if needed

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Caelorum Step By Step
Thanksgiving and Closing (10)

• Holy God We Praise Thy Name leads directly into
  medium tempo song of thanksgiving
• Provides for a key transition from solemnity to
  thanksgiving
• Thanks for coming
• Thanks to music group, priest, etc
• Announcements

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Establishing CaelorumImportant Considerations

• Working with your parish
• Meet with your pastor
• Explain purpose and dispel agenda suspicions
• Coordinate with sacristan and music director
• Coordinate with sound tech (if applicable)
• Respect the Church or Worship Space
• Keep areas clean and presentable during service
• Leave the area in pristine condition
• Ask before touching anything
• Know your audience
• Choose songs and approaches that will help the
  assembly participate

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Establishing CaelorumImportant Considerations

• Advertising Promotion
• Bulletin and Announcements at Mass
• Invite Youth Group or Religious Education Classes
  to come
• Get adult parish groups involved eg Holy Name,
  Legion of Mary, Knights of Columbus
• Catechize when possible
• This is not about your music
• Caelorum is focused on our relationship with God
• Not on the songs, voice, or musical skills of the
  music leader or group.
• Our talents are a means to an end Eucharistic
  Worship
• Every music group needs to know this clearly and
  it must penetrate every note, beat and measure of
  the music we perform.
• We do not own it

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Establishing CaelorumImportant Considerations

• Working with a Music Group
• Music Leader Qualities
• Musical leadership being able to get the sound
  that is needed
• Good presentation skills
• Prayerful attitude
• No distracting qualities to his/her voice or
  playing
• Not tied down to one style of music
• Drums
• Drums are used primarily for the Opening Praise
• There should be no drums during The Rite other
  than perhaps cymbal accents, and even those
  should be sparse.
• Encourage drummer to spend that time in prayer.

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Establishing CaelorumImportant Considerations

• Working with a Music Group
• Drums (continued)
• Style of drumming needs to be metronome, just
  providing a pocket
• A solid bottom to the sound of the group is the
  only goal. Fills and solos are discouraged.
• LESS IS MORE K.I.S.S. theory
• If you have a prayerful drummer, encourage use of
  dynamics
• Electric Guitar is not preferred.
• If a player is sensitive to the nature of the
  music and is mainly providing texture to the
  sound, then it can be very worshipful, but
  training is needed.
• Electric guitar solos of any kind or not a part
  of Caelorum

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Establishing CaelorumImportant Considerations

• Working with a Music Group
• Musicians who pray
• Recruit musicians who clearly pray well with
  their music
• Tone always trumps talent
• Pray and ask God to send you the right people
• Have them attend workshops
• Give clear guidance about what is to be done
• Other important needs
• Pray together before Caelorum
• Approve song selections

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Summary

• Caelorum is a ministry of RENEWAL
• Caelorum is a ministry of PRAYER
• The CHURCH is our Guide
• The WISDOM OF THE CHURCH is a treasure
• The music must be PURPOSEFUL and PRAYERFUL at all
  times, even when it is energetic
• The instruments should reflect this motto LESS
  IS MORE
• The LYRICS and therefore the SONG OF THE ASSEMBLY
  are the primary focus of the accompaniment.
  Therefore, it should not overcome it
• Everything we do should help to bring us all
  closer to God

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Questions Discussion Resources