These Forty Days

A refreshingly joyful approach to Lent and Passiontide
Preparing for Easter -- and heaven -- our hearts should sing for joy, knowing that Lenten prayers and practices only speed us along. With These Forty Days, Janèt Sullivan Whitaker gives the Church a refreshingly joyful, major-key approach to this holy season.

14 songs, including five psalms, for throughout the year
The 14 new songs include five psalm settings with verbatim Lectionary texts, a Lenten Gospel acclamation and two songs with children's choir accompaniment. Though intended primarily for Lent and Holy Week, many titles are perfectly suited for celebrations throughout Ordinary Time, weddings, funerals and more.

Traditional hymns, R&B and gospel-style songs, spirituals
Known for her ability to compose in a wide range of styles, Janèt has put together yet another eclectic mix of music. She recorded five new, traditional-style hymns in a church with a pipe organ and fabulous acoustics. Two songs feature an authentic R&B band accompanied by a gospel choir. Her setting of "Calvary," the traditional spiritual, has parts for guitar, mandolin and blues harmonica.

Music for RCIA and communal reconciliation services
"Wash Me Clean" is an uplifting, gospel-style song for communal reconciliation services and the RCIA scrutinies. In her generous performance notes, Janèt suggests that the verses of "The Lord Is My Light (Psalm 27)" be sung with "freedom, energy, and relaxed animation." Adding tambourine or shakers will give it a warm, Latin flavor.

A stirring new anthem for veneration of the cross
She wrote "Greater Love" for a parish with a Good Friday tradition of venerating an enormous, wormwood cross by passing it over the upraised hands of the assembly. A stirring rock anthem, it features an easily memorized refrain (freeing hands to hold the cross) and verses that match the emotional weight of the ritual.

Music that builds on ancient Hebrew songs of supplication
The refrain of "Immortal One" is an expansion of the "Trisagion," a traditional Eastern Orthodox hymn. She drew the verses from Psalms 25, 31, 130 and 142 -- ancient Hebrew songs of supplication in times of adversity.

Meditative Communion processionals for Lent
An ostinato refrain, as in Taizé-style chant, serves as the foundation for "Líbera Nos" (Latin for "free us"). A meditative Lenten Communion processional, it could also accompany the RCIA scrutinizes or veneration of the cross. Janèt suggests that a dramatic soprano, tenor or "reedy-voiced older child," sing the descant. Verses and refrains are in Latin and English.

A bold new setting for the Magnificat based on FINLANDIA
Her "Magnificat" uses Jean Sibelius" FINLANDIA, one of the most beloved hymn tunes of all time. It makes an ideal vehicle for Mary's song of praise for God's liberating covenant. Janèt added an original introduction, text, clarinet obbligato and soprano descant. A versatile piece for evening prayer, it's adaptable for use in both intimate chapels and grand cathedrals.

The work of one of the Church"s most innovative liturgical composers
Blessed with a rich, powerful voice, Janèt Sullivan Whitaker is also one of the more innovative liturgical composers in the Church today. Her third collection celebrates Lent and Passiontide with a joy that is proper to this time of preparation and conversion.