I'd like some advice. This year November 2nd falls on a Sunday, so we celebrate all Souls during a Sunday Mass. I'm aware of two schools of thought for All Souls music: one is saint-music, the other is christian burial music. The saint-music people will sing things like Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones. The christian burial people will do more somber music.
Can I get some thoughts on tone for that liturgy?
We have the Stanford "Justorum Animae" in our repertiore and I'm inclined to plan to do that:
"The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God;
there shall no torment or malice touch them.
In the sight of the unwise they seem to die,
but they are in peace."
FYI, I haven't reviewed the reading for that day yet.
I'm no liturgist (thank God!), but as one in the pews, I would prefer what you term "Christian Burial Music" but not the sad hymns. After all the day is to commemorate all souls and pray for their ultimate repose with God. Some of those souls however may not yet be in Heaven, but may be "doing time" in Purgatory. The saints in Heaven get their due the day before. Hymns that refer to the Lord's unending love and forgiveness, as well as the promise of eternal life to those who follow His Word would seem appropriate on such an occasion.
Just avoid "On Eagle's Wings" and "Hymn of St. Francis". In my mind, as someone who has attended more than a few Catholic funerals as an adult and served as an altar boy at nearly 50 back when I was a kid, those two songs (and "Ave Maria" to a lesser degree) are forever ingrained in my mind as "funeral music". Not that that's a bad thing, it's just a mental association I have. But I digress...
I just hope all music directors take the time to plan the hymns in accord with the celebration of All Souls Day, and not just throw together some knee-slappin', hand-clappin' Marty Haugen tunes for a Sunday in Ordinary Time Mass on November 2.
All Souls Day is meant to be somber - hence the liturgical colors of black (or purple). And it should be distinguished from All Saints' Day, which is a celebration. As a priest, I really appreciate it if the music reflects the idea that people really do go to Purgatory sometimes, since that is one of the hardest things to get through to the average guy in the pew - and hence he prays less for his loved ones than perhaps he would otherwise.
If you wanted to know my personal preferences, which will never fly at your parish probably, the Dies Irae and Libera Gregorian chants are very nice. I was lucky enough to be at a Mass at St Peter's in Rome for All Souls' when they used those, and I have managed to have them at some of my Masses since.
I am exceedingly fond of "For All the Saints" (sine nomine)for these days. I especially like it if all verses are sung, and if the choir can be persuaded to keep the tempo. I have told my husband that I want that hymn sung at my funeral mass.
Alas, most of the Catholic choirs I have been in cannot seem to understand the concept of the rest in music, especially an initial rest. So this hymn is regularly butchered.
There are also some excellent renditions of the 23rd psalm that could be appropriate for the day.
Peace, John.
Inspiring story, btw on how you became a choir director. "Justorum Animae" is very appropriate for 2 Nov. Be aware you have the choices for the Order of Christian funerals as your readings, unless you're chained to a missalette that gives you one of the options. (Even then, I'd consider the options for the texts of the day.) I've programmed the Litany of the Saints for the beginning of Mass. We'll see how that goes down. "Sing With All The Saints" is another choice.