The Catholic Church in Australia has this month launched a specially commissioned body of liturgical music, known as the ‘Mass for the Fallen’, to commemorate the ANZAC Centenary.
Musicians and clergy gathered at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) earlier this month where Dr Brendan Nelson, Director of the AWM, officially launched ‘Mass for the Fallen’.
Members of St Christopher’s Cathedral Choir, Canberra, performed a setting of The Ode, the well-known verse from Laurence Binyon’s poem ‘For the Fallen’, entitled ‘We will remember them’. A broadcast quality recording is available to download.
Allan and Maria Myers commissioned the music for use in celebrations of the Eucharist on Anzac Day, particularly the 100th Anniversary in 2015.
Fr Christopher Willcock SJ was approached to compose the music that comprises a setting of the Kyrie Eleison, the Acclamations during the Eucharistic Prayer and the Agnus Dei.
Allan Myers told the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference that it seemed fitting to him and his wife to mark the ANZAC Centenary by commissioning a Mass for the Fallen.
“It is our hope that the music will also be used in concert performances,” Mr Myers said.
“In every case, it will be a reminder of the sacrifice of those who died in war and a prayer for them that war may be avoided,” he said.
Fr Christopher Willcock SJ said the opportunity he has been given to provide a musical expression for Anzac Day, commemorating an event so significant in Australian history, is one that he hopes will be shared by Catholic communities and others in this country.
Also present at the launch were; Monsignor Peter O’Keefe, Vicar-General, Diocese of the Australian Defence Force; Archbishop Christopher Prowse, Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn; Fr Christopher Willcock SJ, Composer of the Mass for the Fallen; Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Former Chair of the Anzac Centenary Advisory Board; and Dr Paul Taylor, Executive Secretary of the Bishops’ Commission for Liturgy.
The ‘Mass for the Fallen’ premier will take place at the National ANZAC Day Mass at St Christopher’s Cathedral, Canberra, on Saturday 25 April 2015 at 8am.
Media and members of the public are most welcome to attend.
The ACBC website includes a list of all cathedrals and parishes where ‘Mass for the Fallen’ will be sung during the ANZAC day weekend. The ACBC received permission from the Department of Veteran Affairs to publicise ‘Mass for the Fallen’ using the official ANZAC Centenary logo.
Music scores, parish resources and further detail about the project are available to download free at massforthefallen.org.au.