Is it sinful to not sing as loud as possible at Mass?

[TheOldColonel]

My assessment is that you possess superior humility compared to others. It shows.

 

[Irishmom2]

The minimum required by Canon Law is merely lip sync.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Alleluia! Alleluia!​

 

[otrrl]

I have asthma and it bothers me to sing. Also, my voice has changed over the years and it is not melodic.

No, absolutely not a sin to not sing loud at Mass. I was in the choir at one time and I was horrible. When we repeated a song I didn’t sing and the priest said that sounded better. There you go.

Choirs often sing softly.

 

[Mintaka]

If it were a sin not to sing, mute people would be in deep trouble. ;

Look, I’m a singer myself. Participating in Mass is a matter of willingness. There are a lot of different acceptable ways to participate. As long as you are praying in your heart as part of the Church, you are participating as much as anyone could wish.

We sing as homage to God, and as instruction to ourselves. But since we participate as body parts of Christ’s Body, we don’t have to do every single thing at Mass, ourselves personally.

 

[Tess]

I think that depends on one’s personality.

Though it is also okay to sing out loud. The scriptures commend it

 

[Edmundus1581]

The voice is an instrument, like the flute, guitar or piano. It should never be played “as loud as possible” and only rarely played “very loud”. For many, that is never. Everyone has a natural volume range where they sing their best, and it’s well below their loudest.

 

[Seeksadvice]

After hearing how some people sing, the better question is… is it sinful to bring a roll of duct tape?

 

[YourNameHere]

LOL I think my voice may belong in the duct tape section!
Thanks for keeping the conversation light and joyful!!!

 

[Genesis315]

On Mount Horeb, the Lord was not in the loud wind, or the earthquake, or the fire, but only in the “still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:12). Just sayin’…

 

[CelticWarlord]

I’m told I have an excellent baritone singing voice, but singing is not something I enjoy. I generally keep quiet during the hymns, since I don’t yet know most of them anyway. I can read notes to a degree but not with any consistency. Sometimes, however, I will whisper the words, just to feel part of things.

 

[anon10271182]

You mean you don’t sing like this (starts about 3:15)?

 

[OsculeturMeOsculo]

No more like this. 1:27

 

[GLam1761]

I was in a bar where liquor and Karaoke were
being offered and one man, an actor, got up
(after everybody has had too much to drink),
to sing a LOUD rendition of “Days of Elijah”
it was a resounding FLOP!!
For an example of a “Good” rendition:

 

[anon10271182]

LOL!
Still, I think Philip Bailey goes a little higher. Better moves, too!

 

[poche]

I think if you were to hear me sing one time you might say that it would be sinful for me to sing at mass.

 

[TheLittleLady]

The only time that volume of your singing might be sinful is if you are singing very loud in order to draw attention to yourself.

Heck, I am a trained vocalist and if need be I can over-sing everyone in the place. I’d never do that!

 

[GLam1761]

I USED to think I was a good singer, singing
EVERYWHERE Christian songs as a testimony
UNTIL a choir leader found I was off key!!
That wounded my prideful thinking, but I give
my singing to the Lord and edify MYSELF as
well as others in my singing in church and
elsewhere, AND ENJOYING it much more, lol.

 

[mh2007]

I sure hope not, because I am tone deaf and don’t want to ruin it for those around me at Mass!

 

[rondirect]

I would say sing to blend in is the best. Like the angels of the heavenly hosts, the harmonious voice of the faithful in songs and hymns is both lovely to hear and music to the ears and worthy sacrifice to the Lord.

As for your question, is not a sin. In fact, too loud can distract the others, remembering that some people do mind to hear you dominating the noise level.

Agreed. Music directors rehearse the choir members to blend with each other. Normally if you cannot hear the person next to you, you are singing too loud. Every music director’s dream is for the entire congregation singing in full voice, but no one should dominate. Yes, it is distracting and making you the center of attraction otherwise. Our church experienced this a few years ago. After an embarrassing moment for him to stop the distraction from the clergy, he has never been seen again. We won’t go into the details of the names he called me! LOL!

 

[Dorothy]

Pray for those who annoy you instead of dwelling on it. Then you will become stronger spiritually by the grace of God.

God bless,

Dorothy