Do the norms require 4 Sunday Mass hymns?

[asd72]

We don’t have any songs during the Mass, but sometimes we sing the Mass. There is no one playing any instruments. I wonder if it because they don’t have any volunteers to play and they cannot afford to pay someone, I’m not sure.

 

[liturgyluver]

Regarding the “four hymn sandwich,” note that the Church’s priority on music is that the four Major Acclamations (Gospel Acclamation, Sanctus, Eucharistic Acclamation, and Great Amen) take precedence. If anything should be sung at Mass, these have priority over hymns or anything else. Second in importance are the processional and recessional hymn and the Responsorial Psalm. Thirdly are the Minor Acclamations (Agnus Dei, communion hymns), and lastly are the singing of the Our Father and the offertory hymn.

I agree that the acclamations always should be sung and must take priority, but none of those are hymns - they are the propers of the mass. Unless it’s High Mass with solemn chants all the way through (which are as rare as hen’s teeth these days, sadly) I don’t see why it’s inappropriate for a processional hymn, offertery hymn and recessional hymn. None of those impinges on the other parts of the liturgy. In fact the new mass translation cards in the UK specifically mention the possibility of singing hymns at these points - even at communion. I am less comfortable with the latter as I think it distracts from the solemnity of prayerfully receiving the sacrament.

 

[ProVobis]

I agree that the acclamations always should be sung and must take priority, but none of those are hymns - they are the propers of the mass. Unless it’s High Mass with solemn chants all the way through (which are as rare as hen’s teeth these days, sadly) I don’t see why it’s inappropriate for a processional hymn, offertery hymn and recessional hymn. None of those impinges on the other parts of the liturgy. In fact the new mass translation cards in the UK specifically mention the possibility of singing hymns at these points - even at communion. I am less comfortable with the latter as I think it distracts from the solemnity of prayerfully receiving the sacrament.

Technically the acclamations (Kyrie, Sanctus, Eucharistic Acclamation, Great Amen, etc.) would be parts of the “Ordinary” of the Mass. The Jubilate Deo has already addressed these as desirable chants, free for any parish to use.

adoremus.org/JubilateDeo.html

Propers would be the Introit, the Collect, the readings, communion prayer, etc. In other words, the changing parts of the Mass.

 

[liturgyluver]

Technically the acclamations (Kyrie, Sanctus, Eucharistic Acclamation, Great Amen, etc.) would be parts of the “Ordinary” of the Mass. The Jubilate Deo has already addressed these as desirable chants, free for any parish to use.

adoremus.org/JubilateDeo.html

Propers would be the Introit, the Collect, the readings, communion prayer, etc. In other words, the changing parts of the Mass.

Thanks for correcting this. I realised after I posted that I had used the wrong terminology.