Good Friday Prelude For Silence

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As many, I use the OCP “Today’s Liturgy” Planning Guide to help me plan my liturgies. In the section written by Elaine Rendler, she suggests a prelude to the Good Friday liturgy for good reason.

Many churches today, like mine, and perhaps Elaine’s, do not observe silence before any liturgical celebration begins. In her column, she suggests that the choir sing a song like “Were You There” to engage the congregation from talking to singing (it helps the chatter in the choir as well!) and the result is when the song is complete, the people magically sit in silence, ready for the silent procession (in the case of GF). I’ve seen this happen in my church whenever we sing a prelude song at major feasts.

Since we are singing before the procession of the liturgy begins in silence, what do you think? I can control the choir to a certain point, but how can I tell 1000 parishioners to please stop talking? We use projection screens which announce “please observe silence,” but it really does not work.
 
We post signs on small tables at the entrances to the sanctuary that read
**“PLEASE OBSERVE SACRED SILENCE”. **

You could use Music stands for this purpose as well.
 
pianistclare said:
We post signs on small tables at the entrances to the sanctuary that read
**“PLEASE OBSERVE SACRED SILENCE”. **

You could use Music stands for this purpose as well.
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So you would be against “Jesus, Remember Me” as an example as a prelude to the Good Friday Liturgy. Are there any documents that state this that you are aware of or should it be up to individual parishes to decide? I post what you say on 2 large 9’ x 15’ projection screens and still people don’t get it.
 
rondirect said:
So you would be against “Jesus, Remember Me” as an example as a prelude to the Good Friday Liturgy. Are there any documents that state this that you are aware of or should it be up to individual parishes to decide? I post what you say on 2 large 9’ x 15’ projection screens and still people don’t get it.
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We use Jesus Remember Me during the distribution of communion.
Also, we sing the Reproaches.
With much instrumental between “verses”.

Do you dim your lights for this service?
Dim lighting helps.
We use more of a spot on the altar and during the veneration of the cross.
Enough light to move about for people, but dimmer at other times.

You’re really only supposed to have the psalm sung, quiet music during the veneration of the cross or chant the reproaches, and a very quiet hymn or two during the distribution of communion.
We use Only this I Want and Were You There (yuck) and Jesus Remember Me…fading out.
Then silence again.

There HAVE been times when I have gone to the mic and asked that people observe sacred silence.
The people that come late wonder why everyone is silent, but then they follow suit.
You may have make an announcement, or, if you use worship aids print clearly on the front please observe silence.
 
pianistclare said:
We use Jesus Remember Me during the distribution of communion.
Also, we sing the Reproaches.
With much instrumental between “verses”.
(snip)
You’re really only supposed to have the psalm sung, quiet music during the veneration of the cross or chant the reproaches, and a very quiet hymn or two during the distribution of communion.
We use Only this I Want and Were You There (yuck) and Jesus Remember Me…fading out.
Then silence again.
Click to expand...
Wait, per the GIRM and Paschale Solemnitatis, during Lent instruments are only allowed to support singing.
 
Phemie said:
Wait, per the GIRM and Paschale Solemnitatis, during Lent instruments are only allowed to support singing.
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Maybe. But all the pastors I’ve worked for not only allow it but also encourage it.
YMMV
 
Phemie said:
Wait, per the GIRM and Paschale Solemnitatis, during Lent instruments are only allowed to support singing.
Click to expand...
Perhaps getting a bit off the subject matter…all I want is everyone’s opinion on a prelude song quietly played and sung, and yes to dimmed lights, that people know in order to stop the chatter and set basically set the mood, stopping about 3 -4 minutes before the silent procession. I personally do not see any harm in it and my pastor just said it would be OK.

And, by the way, regarding instruments being allowed to support singing during Lent (in this thread): Good Friday is NOT part of Lent. Lent ended at the downbeat of the Holy Thursday Opening Song. And, who is to say what instruments support singing, how many, etc. It is vague to say the least.
 
rondirect said:
What is “it?”
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“It” is playing instrumental music during Lent and Good Friday.

From the Gloria during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper until the Gloria of the Easter Vigil, this is what Paschale Solemnitatis says*50. During the singing of the hymn “Gloria in excelsis” In accordance with local custom, the bells may be rung, and should thereafter remain silent until the “Gloria in excelsis” of the Easter Vigil, unless the conference of bishops or the local ordinary, for a suitable reason, has decided otherwise. (56) **During this same period the organ and other musical instruments may be used only for the purpose of supporting the singing. *(57)
It also has this to say:42. The chants of the people and also of the ministers and the celebrating priest are of special importance in the celebration of Holy Week and particularly of the Easter Triduum, because they add to the solemnity of these days, and also because the texts are more effective when sung.
The episcopal conferences are asked, unless provision has already been made, to provide music for those parts which should always be sung, namely:
a) The general intercessions of Good Friday; the deacon’s invitation and the acclamation of the people;
b) chants for the showing and veneration of the cross;
c) the acclamations during the procession with the paschal candle and the Easter proclamation, the responsorial “Alleluia”, the Litany of the Saints, and the acclamation after the blessing of water.
Neither of which address your original question. It’s a response to pianistclare.
 
To set the record straight, my inquiry was to see what everyone here thought about a quiet “Jesus, Remember Me” to calm the people from talking or whatever as they sit waiting for the GF liturgy to begin. No one has really answered my inquiry, but instead quoted what the documents say about Lent and GF during the liturgies themselves, taking this off topic.

Please note that no document states what we are to do before the GF liturgy. I considered this option based on a well-known liturgist and musician who works for OCP (see my original post). I just wanted to know what some others here think or do at their church. Let’s assume that we all know what the documents say so there is no need to reiterate them.

And, let’s face it, regardless of what the docs state, many churches skate by them and adjust them according to their pastors decisions. That is not an open invitation to now post about that. I am reaching out for you to answer my initial inquiry. Thank you.

And, I wish the docs would state what is considered reasonable for instrumentation to “support” the singing: “organ and other instruments” mean what? For us, we use piano and organ with bass and guitars to “support.” I drop the drums during GF only.
 
Phemie said:
“It” is playing instrumental music during Lent and Good Friday.

From the Gloria during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper until the Gloria of the Easter Vigil, this is what Paschale Solemnitatis says*50. During the singing of the hymn “Gloria in excelsis” In accordance with local custom, the bells may be rung, and should thereafter remain silent until the “Gloria in excelsis” of the Easter Vigil, unless the conference of bishops or the local ordinary, for a suitable reason, has decided otherwise. (56) **During this same period the organ and other musical instruments may be used only for the purpose of supporting the singing. ***(57)
It also has this to say:42. The chants of the people and also of the ministers and the celebrating priest are of special importance in the celebration of Holy Week and particularly of the Easter Triduum, because they add to the solemnity of these days, and also because the texts are more effective when sung.
The episcopal conferences are asked, unless provision has already been made, to provide music for those parts which should always be sung, namely:
a) The general intercessions of Good Friday; the deacon’s invitation and the acclamation of the people;
b) chants for the showing and veneration of the cross;
c) the acclamations during the procession with the paschal candle and the Easter proclamation, the responsorial “Alleluia”, the Litany of the Saints, and the acclamation after the blessing of water.
Neither of which address your original question. It’s a response to pianistclare.
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Again, abound HERE the priests allow and even suggest much leeway.
I’m out.
 
I would absolutely recommend against any singing whatsoever that is not part of the Good Friday liturgy, particularly before and after the liturgy. If the people ignore what has been posted, then have the cantor step up to the mike and firmly state that silence is needed. If we can make announcements to silence cell phones, then we can surely do so for silence on Good Friday.
 
rondirect said:
And, I wish the docs would state what is considered reasonable for instrumentation to “support” the singing: “organ and other instruments” mean what? For us, we use piano and organ with bass and guitars to “support.” I drop the drums during GF only.
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It means the preferred instrument of the Roman Catholic Church: organ. It is most suitable to support singing because it is not a percussion instrument (like the piano is). The tones of the organ are sustained. Presumably “other instruments” might be if you don’t have an organ - - I would suppose reverent, non-rock-styled instruments? Winds / brass / strings?

Oy vey - - you use bass during Lent Good Friday? And drums during Lent? How do drums “support the singing”? I am afraid many here would not like your version of sacred music very much. You may want to try reading about what the Catholic Church wants the music to be like. For instance: what is the official music of the Roman Catholic Church? Yes - - Gregorian Chant. Hard to add drums / bass to it, though…

Try reading some documents at musicasacra.com - - the Church Music Association of America. It’s Catholic, but you might not recognize it as such. : )

I would the an announcement would be better than musical prelude before Good Friday. I think people would “get it” after a couple of repetitions. Maybe it would help on Sundays as well.
 
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