Is the Kyrie generally not sung if there is no Confiteor said?

[kas]

I'm curious about this, being that my priest informed me this morning that I shouldn't have the choir sing the Kyrie because the confiteor is not being used as part of a penitential rite. I did do some quick research and find support for this on both sides of the coin. The thing that dumbfounded me is - the choir has ALways sung the Kyrie for both Christmas Eve and Easter. I'm not liturgically knowledgeable enough to weigh in on this. I also read, though, that if there is a sprinkling rite (which there was this morning for Easter, then, again, no Kyrie. Thanks for any explanation.

 

[Taggart]

If the confiteor is not used, there are several options for the penitential rite. Most of these involve some form of the Kyrie. There is always the possibility of singing a single line in response to the priest's petitions.

If there is an Asperges, then the penitential rite is missed out, so no Kyrie, start with the Gloria.

On Ash Wednesday, the rite of distibution of asges take the place of the penitential rite so again no Kyrie.

 

[kas]

Taggart...thanks for the reply. What confuses me is that the choir has sung the Kyrie at every Easter and Christmas Eve service over the past 25 years. Why the sudden change in being told that it shouldn't be done? However, given what you say about Asperges, then it indicates that there should not be a Kyrie. I just found it interesting to be told this after doing it for so many years. New priest 4 years ago, but even since he's here we've always sung it for both services - along with Asperges at Easter, not on Christmas Eve.

 

[Taggart]

From the Irish Bishop's guidance

The Kyrie (Lord, have mercy, Kyrie eleison) follows the Penitential Act unless it has already been sung as part of that act.
...
When sung as part of the Penitential Act itself, the acclamations may be preceded by short tropes, for example, ‘You were sent to heal the contrite of heart’. It is important for musicians to be aware of which form the Penitential Act is to take, so that they can plan the music accordingly.

Presumably the new priest is using one of the alternate forms. Why he didn't discuss it with you is anybody's guess.

 

[kas]

From the Irish Bishop's guidance



Presumably the new priest is using one of the alternate forms. Why he didn't discuss it with you is anybody's guess.

Yes....especially when mentioning it 5 minutes before the choir was heading into the church to start the service. It was our children's choir. We practiced the K

 

[kas]

sorry....program cut out. Meant to say the kids practiced the Kyrie as part of preparing all the music for the service. I think he probably forgot that the choir used to do it - even as recently as Christmas.