Music in the Mass

Our parish music director gave a very informative talk about liturgical music.
Her presentation shared so many beautiful thoughts and we even got to sing some of the new responses!
Here are some of those points, found in various resources:

The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Vatican II)
“Every liturgical celebration ... is a sacred action surpassing all others; no other action of the
Church can equal its effectiveness.”

Music manifests Christ’s presence in the assembly.

Music promotes active participation.

Music gives us a way to respond to God speaking to us in the Liturgy and Christ proclaiming the
Gospel.

Music gives the liturgy a nobler aspect.

Music serves a ministerial function.

Music joins us to the liturgical rite.

Music adds delight to prayer.

Music invests the rites with greater solemnity.

Music fosters oneness in the Spirit.

Music forms a necessary part of the solemn liturgy.

Sung dialogue significantly contributes to the “full, conscious and active participation of the
people”.

General Instruction of the Roman Missal

Great importance should therefore be attached to the use of singing in the celebration of the
Mass, with due consideration for the culture of the people and abilities of each liturgical
assembly.

In the choosing of the parts actually to be sung..., preference should be given to those that are of
greater importance and especially to those to be sung by the priest or the deacon or the lector,
with the people responding, or by the priest and people together.

The dialogues foster and bring about communion between priest and people. They are short and
uncomplicated and invite participation.

Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship

God, the giver of song, is present when His people sing His praise.

Music is a way for God to lead us to higher things.

Music is a sign of God’s love for us and our love for God.

Singing together in church expresses the sacramental presence of God to His people.

Scripture tells us to sing.

Song is a common sung expression of faith.

Song strengthens our faith when it grows weak and draws us into the divinely inspired voice of
the Church at prayer.

Music makes the liturgical prayers of the Christian community more alive and fervent.

Of all the sounds of which human beings, created in the image and likeness of God, are capable,
voice is the most privileged and fundamental. Musical instruments in the Liturgy are best
understood as an extension of and support for the primary liturgical instrument, which is the
human voice.

Sacred silence is an element of liturgical music. Its importance cannot be overemphasized.

Faith grows when it is well expressed in celebration. Good celebrations foster and nourish faith.
Poor celebrations may weaken and destroy faith. (Music in Catholic Worship, updated in Sing to
the Lord)

To celebrate the liturgy means to do the action or perform the sign in such a way that the full
meaning and impact shine forth in clear and compelling fashion.” (Music in Catholic Worship,
updated in Sing to the Lord)

Music should be considered a normal and ordinary part of the Church’s liturgical life. However,
the use of music in the liturgy is always governed by the principle of progressive solemnity
(greater feasts and solemnities invite more solemnity; certain music expresses this solemnity
better than others, or none at all, adding extraordinary richness to these special occasions).

Dialogues of the Liturgy have priority.

National Association of Pastoral Musicians

Music is of preeminent importance ... it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy.

Music’s function is ministerial; it must serve and never dominate. (Also in CSL)

Music should assist the assembled believers to express and share the gift of faith that is within

them and to nourish and strengthen their interior commitment of faith. It should heighten the
texts.

The quality of joy and enthusiasm which music adds to community worship cannot be gained in
any other way.

Music imparts a sense of unity to the congregation and sets the appropriate tone for a particular
celebration.

General Notes

Music assists communal prayer.

The rules for music in liturgy are different from rules for music in concert halls. There is a fine
line between performance and ministry.

The music minister’s responsibility is to the assembly. Everything we do is to ASSIST the
assembly and the liturgy.

Musicians should remember they are members of the assembly. Step back from the microphone
if the assembly is actively singing.

Musicians should minimize movement and other distractions: e.g., shuffling music, drinking,
talking.

In singing at Mass, the community becomes one voice.

We come to Mass to be sent out to love and serve.