#192: Musically Preparing for the Exsultet (with Nicholas Will)

#192: Musically Preparing for the Exsultet (with Nicholas Will)

This episode of Ministry Monday is brought to you by the Inaugural CLEF Summer Program , taking place July 17 – 22 at the Jesuit Spiritual Center in Milford, Ohio.

The program will provide sessions for ensemble instrumentalists, vocalists, and a retreat track. Additional time for daily prayer and private coaching with our team of experienced ensemble musicians is available. For more information, visit CLEF.life.
Today begins our second episode focusing on the Exsultet. Last week we featured a conversation with Fr. Paul Turner about the historical context of this sacred chant. If you missed it, it can be found wherever you listen to podcasts and at ministrymonday.org. This week we speak to Nicholas Will, Director of Liturgical Music, Organist & Lecturer at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

This episode is unique in its truly didactic approach. As a result, it is perfect for the priest, deacon, cantor or other elected layperson who is preparing to sing this Exsultet this year. Nicholas takes us through learning the Exsultet, step by step, even if you don’t have a musical background.

#191: Exsultet: Origins (with Fr. Paul Turner)

#191: Exsultet: Origins (with Fr. Paul Turner)

Parishes everywhere are updating their liturgical music with just a few clicks...and you can too. Browse, purchase, and download affordable music in minutes. Never pay licensing fees again AND have lifetime access for printing and sharing with Simply Liturgical Music. SLM offers psalms, hymns, Mass settings and other ritual music composed by a growing network of composers.

Ministry Monday listeners can receive $10 off Lent or Easter music when using code YEARC2022. Explore our digital catalog of liturgical music at SLMusic.org. Simply Liturgical Music - Reimagining the Industry!

This week begins a 3-part series on the Exsultet. The Exsultet, the sacred chant sung at the start of the Easter Vigil, is such a distinct moment in the Triduum journey: covered in darkness, punctuated by candlelight, the Exsultet is a 9-minute chant prefacing what is about to happen in the Easter Vigil liturgy: Christ, returning "from death's domain", grants us all eternal life through His resurrection. It is to begin. Today Fr. Paul Turner provides a historical, biblical and liturgical context from which to prepare the Exsultet this Lent. When was the Exsultet first sung? How did it find its place at the start of the Easter Vigil? Why are deacons so often chosen for the role? And what about the role of bees in the newest translation?