Liturgical Music During The Lent And Easter Seasons

Music affords us a beautiful opportunity to participate fully in the liturgy. Through singing at Mass, we engage communally and spiritually with one another. This particular time in the liturgical year is sacred for many reasons, and the music we hear and sing matches this blessed time.

“We’re singing songs that are specific to this time,” says Beth Pullan, the Music Ministry Director at St. Andrew. “We only sing them this one time of year. The messages of these songs are reflecting, fasting, and penance. They’re songs we don’t sing any other time of year. I want the music to reflect the yearning and longing for the best Lent ever.”

In addition to serving as Music Ministry Director, Beth is one of St. Andrew’s main cantors and plans all of the music throughout the year. She has been in her role since 2014 but started singing and accompanying at the parish for a few years before that. Beth says Lent and, in particular, Holy Week, are her favorite times on the liturgical calendar.

“Holy Week is so full of so many different things,” she says. “That’s what I look forward to the most. The special songs we sing tend to move me to tears. Imagining what Jesus was going through in Gethsemane, it’s meaningful to me.”

The penitential songs we sing during Lent and Easter connect us with Jesus Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection, and help us to enter deeper into these liturgical seasons. Beth often looks for new music to introduce during Lent — typically songs that have a simple melody with meaningful lyrics.

“It’s a time of penance and prayer, where we’re seeking God’s mercy and forgiveness, so the music should reflect that,” Beth says. “I’m always searching for songs that reflect that repentance and with beautiful lyrics.”

While there is music that is special to the seasons of Lent and Easter, there is great significance of music in the liturgy, no matter the liturgical season. Beth sits down and prayerfully plans out the music for every Mass throughout the year. She begins with reading the Scripture for the liturgy, then looks for music to match that particular week. Sometimes, however, the Holy Spirit acts without her knowing, and the music will match that particular week’s homily, for example. Ultimately, she desires for the congregation to fully participate in singing together.

“Music is a means to bring us closer to God,” she says. “My role is to try and facilitate this.”

If you are interested in joining the Music Ministry at St. Andrew, please contact Beth Pullan at 320-226-6516 or maryepullan@gmail.com; at St. James, please contact Julie Schacherer at 507-829-9435 or julieschacherer@hotmail.com; at St. Joseph, please contact Pamela Jacobson at 507-828-1365 or pamelajjacobson@gmail.com.

St. Andrew Music Ministry Director Beth Pullan

Beth’s daughter, Sanjana, practicing piano before Mass