Chanting the Introit

Tonight at midnight solemn high mass I get to chant the introit from the American Missal, which is what we use for our liturgy. We do not have a choir, and the priest cannot chant so well, or at least is preoccupied, and asked me if I wanted to give it a try. The missal basically adds an extra "slice" on top of the liturgy. It includes the introit, gradual, offeratory, secret, and post-communion prayers. All of those can be chanted in Gregorian chant. The book that has the settings is called the "English Gradual" which may be found online or in used bookstores. Besides chanting the introit, I get to serve as subdeacon, which is always an honor. Traditionally, the subdeacon holds the priest's cope during the first censing of the altar, which is done at the introit - the choir tradiationally chants the introit during a solemn high mass. Because I am chanting the introit, we have to separate the two, which is no big deal, but not "correct", strictly speaking. One often has to make little changes like that, though, to get things done in a small Anglican parish. If changes like that must be made for a good reason, it is best to make them look completely dignified and "planned" so that the liturgy goes smoothly and reverently, which is fitting for the worship of Our Lord.