Q: With the Missal not saying a peep about a Closing Hymn I can still see some practical value in a Closing Hymn as it allows the priest and deacon to depart without there being a mad rush.
That said I dont love minimizing tbe Deacon’s “go in peace” by then not going in peace and instead staying to sing.
Having said that have you seen a different example or two of how the “no closing hymn” practice can still lead to calmness after the Deacon’s final words.
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A: I think the best practice is an instrumental recessional. I rather like it when our organist plays a postlude while the procession exits the church. It does homage to the deacon’s final words, it accompanies the ceremony of the procession, it invites the people to hear some lovely music, and it closes the ceremony for the ministers before the faithful depart.