Queen of Peace Cantor MASS GUIDELINES 

UPDATED Sept 13, 2025

Always listen for your voice in the speakers and adjust your distance as needed.

Your voice should engage the congregation’s attention and be clear and slow enough for folks to understand the numbers and titles of hymns.

ENTRANCE SONG

When you see the acolyte wave to you to begin, or when the bell is rung announce book, number, title, number. No need to add more words, liturgy is a prescribed prayer, Father prefers the least amount of words.  So phrases such as “Our opening song…” are not needed. We all know it is the opening/offertory/communion or recessional song.

Let us begin by singing together

ALWAYS ANNOUNCE   “Tan/Blue hymnal,  #, title, and #”

 so folks can remember what to look for in their hymnal.

In the blue hymnal, #216 Praise My Soul the King of Heaven # 2- 1- 6

Please Stand. (WATCH and see if  the congregation is already standing)

Kyrie: Unaccompanied where possible. 

Remaining standing by lectern after opening hymn for the kyrie. 

Do not move to your seat after the opening hymn. 

Glory to God: once engaging the congregation to begin, move away from the microphone as folks know the Glory to God well. They need to hear their own voice.

11:30AM LATIN Gloria: intone the chant from the microphone (pg 163 VII )

Psalm: Be sure to use a binder or black tablet for all music. Do not use single sheets of music as it appears less dignified of the prayer or psalm. 

Walk behind the organ to the sanctuary seats. 

Caution: Watch the corner of the organ platform so you do not trip over it.

Come down to your seat or stand by organ, whichever is least distracting, immediately following the psalm. Move when the organ intros the Gospel Acclamation. Be mindful of the shoes you are wearing as you need to climb stairs and walk on tile when all is silent.

OFFERTORY SONG: as soon as you can move to the lectern, announce as folks are seated for the offertory collection.

Please Do Not Use “Please join us in singing” as it makes singing optional and presents an “us/them” image to the congregation.

(Let us sing)   tan/blue #   title    # 

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SANCTUS: Get the congregation started, but then back off the microphone as folks know this one well.

MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION: same as Sanctus

AMEN: This needs to be lead for pitch, if you project well, this can be done from your seat.

AGNUS DEI: Get the congregation started, but then back off the microphone as folks know this one well.

COMMUNION  

• Comm. Antiphon No Announcement, begins as soon as presider receives the host.   

• Cantor Receives communion after antiphon and song.

• Communion Hymn: Engage the congregation by Gesturing for the refrain or beginning of any song: i.e. Gift of Finest Wheat, Ubi Caritas, Take and Eat

• If communion procession is continuing or people are still at the rail on any side of the sanctuary, a second communion song may be needed. 

• Cantor takes a seat after the Eucharist is returned to the Tabernacle and EM’s move to leave the sanctuary.

RECESSIONAL move to the lectern as people stand for the final blessing (do not wait for the final blessing and then move to the lectern.) 

Then immediately following the congregation response “Thanks be to God.”  only the hymnal, number and title is needed. (Do not use “Our recessional hymn is….”

 In the blue hymnal #219 Sing Praise to God #2 - 1 - 9

ORGAN POSTLUDE

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9:30 AM Mass – cantor responsibilities are simpler.

The choir sings at the 9:30AM and functions as the leader of song on most hymns (gathering, offertory, communion and closing.)

The cantor is responsible for:

• Announcing all congregational music

• Intoning the Kyrie

• Proclaiming the responsorial psalm and Gospel Acclamation

• Singing the Communion Antiphon

***After announcing the congregational hymns, the cantor is invited to sing with the choir rather than lead from the microphone.

The choir sings SATB parts for English Glory to God, Psalm refrain, Gospel Alleluia, Some hymns and songs

STRING ENSEMBLE: sometimes there is a string ensemble trio or quartet) that plays at Mass. They will introduce the psalm, Gospel Acclamation and sometimes the offertory or communion hymns.