Are Protestant Hymns Allowed at Mass?

[ProVobis]

As I’ve said before, I prefer the “no frills” Mass where they substitute short prayers for the hymns.

As everyone has different tastes in music and especially particular songs, it becomes not a matter of preference (what are the odds of hitting your favorite hymn every Sunday) but what one can tolerate.

Before 1963, Catholics weren’t exposed much to the 4-hymn liturgy so we’re basically late-comers as far as hymn appreciation goes. And it seems to show; however I don’t see it as a bad thing. Maybe the Mass, with its texts, short antiphons, and mystery is what draws people more.

 

[Denise1957]

Hello all. I did a search for this question and couldn’t find anything. I’m wondering if Protestant Hymns such as contemporary Christian and Gospel are allowed at Mass? Please note: I’m not looking to debate the musical merit of these genres of music- I enjoy these genres at home, in the car, etc.- I’m just asking if they’re allowed at Mass.

Thank you in advance.

I’ve brought up this same question to two different choir directors (two different parishes) in the last six months, and here’s what they said: one said that there aren’t enough Catholic hymns in the current parish hymnal to choose from for the various liturgical seasons (which is why there are so many Protestant hymns sung at Mass there). The other director said that most hymns come from the Protestant tradition. But he didn’t elaborate other than that.

I have to wonder if there were only a few Catholic hymns sung at Mass in the old days, or what. Something I learned recently is that the original Catholic chant (before Pope St. Gregory was even born) was only biblical in nature and very simple: it was only the psalms that were sung. Later it became more than that, of course.

 

[SyroMalankara]

The usual protestant hymns found at a Novus Ordo Mass in the US is kind of like … an ill fitting suit… I’ve been to Masses in Anglo-phone Canada and they use high church Anglican hymns… much better suited.

That said, the typical US hymnal is abysmal. The songs are theologically thin and stuck in the 60s, with annoying (show)tunes…

 

[Denise1957]

The usual protestant hymns found at a Novus Ordo Mass in the US is kind of like … an ill fitting suit… I’ve been to Masses in Anglo-phone Canada and they use high church Anglican hymns… much better suited.

That said, the typical US hymnal is abysmal. The songs are theologically thin and stuck in the 60s, with annoying (show)tunes…

Anglican hymns are still not Catholic, though they may not be as annoying as the more modern Protestant hymns.

Protestant hymns are also sung at our local Latin Mass, but they are more carefully chosen, and not-so-modern as they are at the regular Catholic parishes.

 

[ProVobis]

Protestant hymns are also sung at our local Latin Mass, but they are more carefully chosen, and not-so-modern as they are at the regular Catholic parishes.

Same thing at our FSSP Mass, where the priest elects to have the parish hymns played during the procession and recession.

 

[Mintaka]

Re: hymns, the Catholic tradition was to sing hymns mostly for the Divine Office (Lauds, Matins, Vespers, Compline, all that), or just to sing them devotionally (outside on the street, at home, marching in a procession on a feast day, etc.).

Of course, the Gloria and the Sanctus are the hymns which are designated for Mass.

Music for Mass was instead based on Scripture readings of the day, as the poster above said. You would sing the particular day’s Introit, Offertory, and Communio, all of which were an antiphon followed by psalm verses. (They weren’t called “readings,” but essentially they were the other three readings for the Mass.) Often you would end Mass after the Last Gospel by singing the designated seasonal Marian hymn, or you would go right into singing the Divine Office.

The four-hymn sandwich is basically a substitute for the Introit, Offertory, Communio, and Marian or Office hymn. Unless your music director is very picky about doing an exact equivalent for the designated antiphons and psalm verses, you are missing a lot of “readings” in favor of “Be Not Afraid” or “Amazing Grace.”

 

[Norm_The_Robot]

I play guitar with one of our parish’s music ministries during mass. We have piano, guitar (usually acoustic but sometimes electric), bass, drums. At the mass I usually play at we do songs by Contemporary artists like Matt Maher (he is Catholic I think),Sarah Hart, Josh Blakesley, Matt Redman, etc. But we are more piano driven than guitar driven so it does not sound too “rock n rolley”. Mass parts are “traditional” compositions with cantors but played by the same “band” so the sound is similar.