Do We Have to Sing Along During Mass?

[superamazingman]

There does seem to be a sub-text that because the “hymn sandwich” is not required then participation is not required. The first part is correct - the hymns are not required. This has been pointed out a number of times in these forums. It’s also not well known - I didn’t know it until I discovered it here. However, the inference that participation is not required is incorrect. If hymns are present, then the congregation should attempt to participate, as stated in the GIRM.

Participation is most certainly required. But a valid form of participation is silent meditation. That is what everyone keeps missing here.

 

[ProVobis]

If hymns are present, then the congregation should attempt to participate, as stated in the GIRM.

Okay, but I fail to see where singing something like “Amazing Grace” at the Offertory is participating at the Mass.

 

[triumphguy]

Participation is most certainly required. But a valid form of participation is silent meditation. That is what everyone keeps missing here.

During communal prayer?

 

[superamazingman]

During communal prayer?

During the processions, during the choir music, during the introit, during the eucharistic prayer, during the readings, during the whole Mass!

 

[YoungTradCath]

During communal prayer?

Is silent corporate adoration of the Blessed Sacrament not communal prayer? What about silent corporate meditation after readings?

 

[triumphguy]

Okay, but I fail to see where singing something like “Amazing Grace” at the Offertory is participating at the Mass.

There is actually no “offertory” hymn. That is a practice rather than a requirement.

There’s no such thing as a recessional hymn either.

However, if you try missing them on a Sunday mass the congregation basically revolts.

I remember a liturgy prof saying:

Whats the difference between a liturgist and a terrorist?

You can negotiate with a terrorist!

People like what people like and God help you if you do something different.

 

[triumphguy]

Is silent corporate adoration of the Blessed Sacrament not communal prayer? What about silent corporate meditation after readings?

Of course it is!!!

Do you misunderstand what I’m saying?

Should I say my private devotions during communal spoken or sung prayer?

When I go to exposition of the blessed sacrament at my parish everyone sings (“tantum ergo” etc) before their silent communal adoration.

Our Church is not a Church of either/or but both/and!

 

[YoungTradCath]

And let me just sneak in a few things here for a sec:

It is well known that the Propers are preferred always and everywhere as the daily changing music of the Roman Rite, virtually everyone ignoring this notwithstanding.

It is unfeasible for the laity to sing the Proper texts of the day, as these are not written to be sung by the laity in the pews, although by no means is it prohibited.

If we go to a Roman Mass that follows, erm, those pesky “recommendations” for the Propers, are we therefore not “participating” if we don’t sing them? Remember: 1. they’re “preferred,” whatever that means in practice; and 2., they’re not written to be sung by the laity in the pews in the first place.

Watch Papal Masses. The laity do NOT sing the Propers, which correspond to most parishes’ hymns. They will to varying degrees join in the singing of the Ordinary parts of the Mass, if the particular Mass setting chosen is one of the Gregorian ones, but not if it is a thoroughly polyphonic setting.

Overall I think we’re making much ado about nothing with this Musical Participation Inquisition. Let the choirs bellow out their sweet melodies.

 

[roadsend]

Okay, but I fail to see where singing something like “Amazing Grace” at the Offertory is participating at the Mass.

It isn’t. Amazing Grace isn’t even Catholic.

 

[triumphguy]

During the processions, during the choir music, during the introit, during the eucharistic prayer, during the readings, during the whole Mass!

Well I’m sure glad most people participate through spoken prayer and sung responses. The liturgy would be very dead otherwise.

 

[YoungTradCath]

It isn’t. Amazing Grace isn’t even Catholic.

It seems quite opposed to Catholicism, which is why I won’t sing it!

 

[littlenothing]

Well I’m sure glad most people participate through spoken prayer and sung responses. The liturgy would be very dead otherwise.

I say so what. Im there for one reason only. If there is beauty that is enriching and if its ugly to me its a penance. Sometimes, in my tiny corner of the back of nowhere, there are so few people at Mass we just say antiphons. Dead sounding for sure, but Jesus is there so its just a barren desert to pass by.

 

[TimothyH]

Okay, that makes more sense even if “twice” isn’t meant to be taken absolutely literally… Although from the looks of things, apparently that wasn’t even a real quote in the first place. Still, I’d rather just pray twice. I appreciate music in general just as much as the next person, but for me trying to incorporate it with prayer only distracts me from the actual substance of the prayer.

Get thee to a Nunnery!

youtube.com/watch?v=rx8T116uqLE

…or a Benedictine Monastery

youtube.com/watch?v=V5gXyTSY_xI

Seriously, if you have not, go hear them pray in community. You won’t regret it.

-Tim-

 

[triumphguy]

I say so what. Im there for one reason only. If there is beauty that is enriching and if its ugly to me its a penance. Sometimes, in my tiny corner of the back of nowhere, there are so few people at Mass we just say antiphons. Dead sounding for sure, but Jesus is there so its just a barren desert to pass by.

Whatever.

 

[exoflare]

I DON’T have Asperger’s and people STILL look at me funny!

For what? Was the “crime” as despicable as refusing a happy birthday song?

 

[triumphguy]

Probably worse!

 

[ProVobis]

Should I say my private devotions during communal spoken or sung prayer?

If it’s part of a penance right after confession, yes!

 

[triumphguy]

I’m actually posting here as penance!

I guess the priest thought I was particularly wicked!

 

[Elijah_Baley]

It is likewise arrogant to say “these hymns are poor in melody or doctrine and I will not sing until better fare is produced.”

Ah, but what of those who say, “There is no appropriate time for the laity to sing during certain portions of the Mass, even the Novus Ordo, for such in fact distracts from the reception or overall celebration of the Eucharist.”

Should someone hold such an opinion, “I shall not sing” would be a quite acceptable policy.

 

[Elijah_Baley]

1. Moreover, [the faithful] are to form one body, whether in hearing the Word of God, or in taking part in the prayers and in the singing, or above all by the common offering of the Sacrifice and by participating together at the Lord’s table. This unity is beautifully apparent from the gestures and bodily postures observed together by the faithful.

Emphasis added. Seems to me that the common offering of the Sacrifice does not just take precedence but high preference over other forms of “forming one body.”

If, for example, “sacred polyphony” is to have a place of prominence, then clearly it is impossible for the laity to at all times and everywhere sing whenever there is music. Reading the two points with a hermeneutic of continuity, we see that entrance and exit hymns are still ripe ground for singing as one body, as well as, perhaps, the Pater Noster or the Kyrie Eleison. But, judging by the Roman Gradual, there is also a place for cantor-and-choir antiphonal chant.

I say this lest someone prooftext Vatican II documents further.