I see that a lot of people have posted what the “like” or what they “really want to hear,” etc. But aren’t we supposed to be doing what our leaders ask for the sake of unity in the Church.
As a previous person posted, the Church clearly states that a communion hymn should be sung by the congregation from the time the priest receives until the last person receives communion. Paragraph 86 from the GIRM states this plainly. Unless I’m missing something!
I think there might be more to it than that, but I can’t quote documents.
I’ve read up on all this a few years ago (I play piano), and I remember that there is provision for a choir or soloists or even an instrumentalist singing/playing the Communion hymn.
As far as I know, there is no “rule” that the congregation has to keep singing until the last person is served–this presents a difficult problem–it’s hard to find a hymn with exactly the number of verses that will end when the last person has been served. But this means that the cantor/choir/congregation has to start over again–this could be kind of irritating or distracting. Or a second song is started; again, confusing–the cantor has to announce this, and I think that would be intrusive on someone’s prayer and adoration of the Lord.
I usually try to play softly (piano) until the last person is served because I think it feels awkward to be standing in front of everyone in silence. But once the last person has been served, I stop playing and keep silence
…UNLESS the choir or cantor is doing a Communion meditation song. I’ve seen this done two ways–some priests prefer the Communion meditation to be sung while the priest is taking care of the Lord’s Body and Blood, while other priests prefer to wait until the Lord’s Body and Blood is in repose and they have sat down. (Of course, the second way means that the Mass will last longer.)
As for myself, it doesn’t matter what kind of music is sung or played during Communion. The focus of Holy Communion is Jesus Christ Truly Present. I find that His Presence distracts me from almost everything else, including the music!
It’s kind of like noticing the lightning bugs during a fireworks extravaganze–yes, I see them and appreciate them. But I’m not paying much attention to the little guys–I’m too busy gazing in wonder at the fireworks!
My personal preference for Communion music is contemporary light rock, e.g., How Beautiful by Twila Paris, or Holy Is Thy Name by John Michael Talbot or Via Dolorosa by Sandi Patti," or Lord You Are More Beautiful Than Silver or As the Deer, etc. etc.–those kinds of songs. Reflective, personal, simple modern language, “down-home,” songs about the Lord Jesus.
I also like older “Protestant” Communion hymns like “My Jesus I Love Thee,” and “There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood” and “Just As I Am” and “There’s Power In The Blood” and “At the Cross” and “At Calvary” and “The Old Rugged Cross” and “Rock of Ages” and “Jesus Only.” (A penny to whoever knows who wrote “Jesus Only” without googling it!) I know that many traditional-leaning Catholics would sooner sing nothing than sing these songs, but I find them more meaningful than ever now that I am Catholic. The words make more sense. And I find that the simple melodies are very sweet and logical–no leaps, no weird intervals. These songs are extremely beautiful and heart-rending. I often sing them (inwardly) during Communion if there is no other music.
What I dislike during Holy Communion is any kind of classical music because I have a tendency to “bounce” along with the very marked rhythms of classical pieces (I was raised on a metronome) and I get hyper with the various polyphonies. Although I enjoy classical music at a concert, I personally find it jarring and nerve-wracking and theatrical in church. I can’t get past the “performance.”
I also don’t like anything in language other than my own. I like to understand, and I find looking at a translation distracting.
And believe it or not, I really dislike any kind of “noodling” on a piano during Holy Communion. It’s OK for a pianist to play a hymn and variations. But for a pianist to just sit and play various chord progressions is really weird, IMO. I like melodies, not just random patterns and notes. (That’s probably the main reason I don’t particularly care for Gregorian Chant–my Western ears long for regularity and pattern, not random notes and phrases.)
But I’ll take whatever music is played or sung without complaining. I’m grateful for music and I find that it reminds me of heaven during Communion.
