Q: A parishioner in a funeral pre-planning meeting has requested that the Kyrie be sung at their funeral Mass. I understand that the Order of Christian Funerals does not explicitly include the Kyrie, but GIRM 52 does not address funerals specifically. Do you have any insight on its omission from the Funeral Rite?
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A: The omission of the penitential act at a funeral Mass is an adaptation approved for the United States of America. The typical edition calls for the usual opening rites, including the penitential act, which is faithful to the church’s tradition. Goodness, even Mozart’s Requiem included a Kyrie.
But in the US, if the greeting at the door and placing of the pall are done—elements that are not in the typical edition—then the penitential act is omitted.
So, could you green light a Kyrie at the request of this mortal? I think you could argue yes from several factors. One is that the typical edition permits one or two opening chants. It gives examples of the second one, none of which is a Kyrie, but it does not exclude that option.
Another argument is that the Liturgy of the Hours and the Palm Sunday Mass both make a distinction between the penitential act and the Kyrie. So, even though OCF 158 says that “the usual introductory Rites for Mass, including the Penitential Act, are omitted,” it can’t mean the entrance chant, and it can’t mean the collect. You may argue that it doesn’t mean the Kyrie either.
Personally, I would not change the parish policy, but I’d include the Kyrie at this person’s specific request because I think it’s reasonable. I’m sure other priests would disagree.
FWIW, I think Mozart would agree with me.
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