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Spirituals in the Church

Spirituals in the Church Sister Esther Mary, N. C. T Writings about and references to the use of spirituals in Protestant churches are sufficient in number. The value of the present article is that it is one of the few primary accounts of the use of spirituals in the liturgy of a Catholic church during the early part of the twentieth century Of further interest is that the essay was written by a nun, one who understood the religious needs of the black worshipers who constituted the congregation. It is solemn Evensong at the mission of St. Simon of Cyrene, near Cin­ cinnati, Ohio. Fr. Wilson, the priest in charge, has just announced, "The service of Holy Baptism will be found on page 273 of the Prayer Book." With the acolytes he goes to the center of the sanctuary. As he turns to the font, the words ring out: "It's me, It's me, 0 Lord." Like an answering wave comes from the congregation of colored people­ "Standing in the need of prayer." Fifteen minutes later as the closing prayer in the service of Holy Baptism is finished and the procession of priest and acolytes starts toward the sanctuary, again the priest's voice resounds http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Black Sacred Music Duke University Press

Spirituals in the Church

N.C.T., Sister Esther Mary,
Black Sacred Music , Volume 4 (2) – Sep 1, 1990
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Copyright
Copyright © 1990 by Duke University Press
ISSN
1043-9455
eISSN
2640-9879
DOI
10.1215/10439455-4.2.40
Publisher site
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Abstract

Sister Esther Mary, N. C. T Writings about and references to the use of spirituals in Protestant churches are sufficient in number. The value of the present article is that it is one of the few primary accounts of the use of spirituals in the liturgy of a Catholic church during the early part of the twentieth century Of further interest is that the essay was written by a nun, one who understood the religious needs of the black worshipers who constituted the congregation. It is solemn Evensong at the mission of St. Simon of Cyrene, near Cin­ cinnati, Ohio. Fr. Wilson, the priest in charge, has just announced, "The service of Holy Baptism will be found on page 273 of the Prayer Book." With the acolytes he goes to the center of the sanctuary. As he turns to the font, the words ring out: "It's me, It's me, 0 Lord." Like an answering wave comes from the congregation of colored people­ "Standing in the need of prayer." Fifteen minutes later as the closing prayer in the service of Holy Baptism is finished and the procession of priest and acolytes starts toward the sanctuary, again the priest's voice resounds

Journal

Black Sacred Music – Duke University Press

Published: Sep 1, 1990

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