Isn't the congregation supposed to join in music at Mass?

[chnchris]

Isn’t the liturgy the work of the people?
Aren’t we supposed to sing along with the choir/cantor?
At Mass today, the cantor only announced the opening and
closing song and sang the offertory and communion song
alone. When i asked her afterword, she said Fr. “doesn’t
want the communion song announced.” Can he do that?
What do the rubrics say? i really love to participate with
the music and feel it’s a performance when just the cantor
sings.

 

[VociMike]

It is acceptable for the choir to sing some pieces alone, since they are considered a delegation of the faithful, but I do not believe it is ever acceptable for the cantor to sing a piece alone.

Did the people sing any of the parts of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Our Father, acclamations, ect)? That is what they should be singing first and foremost, even before any “songs”.

 

[BobP123]

Isn’t the liturgy the work of the people?
Aren’t we supposed to sing along with the choir/cantor?
At Mass today, the cantor only announced the opening and
closing song and sang the offertory and communion song
alone. When i asked her afterword, she said Fr. “doesn’t
want the communion song announced.” Can he do that?
What do the rubrics say? i really love to participate with
the music and feel it’s a performance when just the cantor
sings.

Don’t quite understand the problem. Did the priest ask that no one sing?

 

[chnchris]

It is acceptable for the choir to sing some pieces alone, since they are considered a delegation of the faithful, but I do not believe it is ever acceptable for the cantor to sing a piece alone. Did the people sing any of the parts of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Our Father, acclamations, ect)? That is what they should be singing first and foremost, even before any “songs”.

We didn't sing the Kyrie or Our Father, nor the song
during the Gifts and during Communion.

 

[chnchris]

Don’t quite understand the problem. Did the priest ask that no one sing?

No he didn't, but the 2 songs i mentioned weren't
announced, so we couldn't sing along, so it was
basically the cantor alone.

 

[BobP123]

No he didn’t, but the 2 songs i mentioned weren’t
announced, so we couldn’t sing along, so it was
basically the cantor alone.

If I knew the words, then I would sing along if I had the urge. Lots of people sing the national anthem even though no one tells them to sing.

 

[chnchris]

If I knew the words, then I would sing along if I had the urge. Lots of people sing the national anthem even though no one tells them to sing.

You're missing the point, the song # should be
announced, so we can join in. How many folks
know the words to the church hymns?! Aren't
we supposed to participate in the liturgy? Wasn't
this an objective of Vatican II?

 

[RPConover]

You’re missing the point, the song # should be
announced, so we can join in. How many folks
know the words to the church hymns?! Aren’t
we supposed to participate in the liturgy? Wasn’t
this an objective of Vatican II?

People can sometimes be a bit self-conscious about their awful singing voices, myself included By the way, you guys sing the Our Father??

 

[chnchris]

People can sometimes be a bit self-conscious about their awful singing voices, myself included By the way, you guys sing the Our Father??

But those who want to sing, should know the song # !
No we don't sing the Our Father, thankfully.

 

[BobP123]

Aren’t
we supposed to participate in the liturgy? Wasn’t
this an objective of Vatican II?

That is true, it’s in the documents. But so is Gregorian chant and keeping Latin in the liturgy.

But you’re to be commended on keeping at least part of Vatican II in focus. Hope they’ll announce more hymns in your church.

 

[jmcrae]

My understanding is that the “communion song” is supposed to be a quiet instrumental piece - people are supposed to be praying in their hearts at that time.

I don’t think you can “make” people sing the Processional, Offeratory, and Recessional hymns - and I find it really annoying when a music minister insists on “teaching the songs to the congregation” during Rosary hour, before Mass.

I like sung Masses very much - but I find it irritating when lay people “sing along” with the priest’s parts - I always think, what, did we suddenly all get ordained, just then?

 

[THutch04]

Isn’t the liturgy the work of the people?
Aren’t we supposed to sing along with the choir/cantor?
At Mass today, the cantor only announced the opening and
closing song and sang the offertory and communion song
alone. When i asked her afterword, she said Fr. “doesn’t
want the communion song announced.” Can he do that?
What do the rubrics say? i really love to participate with
the music and feel it’s a performance when just the cantor
sings.

Well, personally I’d say that it’s alright if the Communion song isn’t announced, since I just always grew up thinking that it was supposed to be a meditative piece. The Offertory I’m not so sure…Do you happen to have hymn boards with the numbers to the songs that are being sung posted up? Maybe that’s a dumb question, I’m just wondering…if you don’t, maybe you could suggest it. I have no clue what the rubrics say though, so I’m not sure.

 

[frommi]

My understanding is that the “communion song” is supposed to be a quiet instrumental piece - people are supposed to be praying in their hearts at that time.

I don’t think you can “make” people sing the Processional, Offeratory, and Recessional hymns - and I find it really annoying when a music minister insists on “teaching the songs to the congregation” during Rosary hour, before Mass.

I like sung Masses very much - but I find it irritating when lay people “sing along” with the priest’s parts - I always think, what, did we suddenly all get ordained, just then?

Thats incorrect…the communion processional is a song and it is supposed to begin as soon as the Priest celebrant has received communion.

It is not supposed to be instrumental by the rubrics.

And additionally, last I checked there was no such thing as a pre-mass Rosary Hour.

 

[jmcrae]

Thats incorrect…the communion processional is a song and it is supposed to begin as soon as the Priest celebrant has received communion.

It is not supposed to be instrumental by the rubrics.

I’d have to look it up again, but by my memory, the rubrics say that either it is a time of total silence, or else someone can be playing some quiet music in the background. But the congregation is supposed to be praying quietly.

And additionally, last I checked there was no such thing as a pre-mass Rosary Hour.

Yes, you are right. It is supposed to be a time of gathering in prayer and silence. Which makes it still very inappropriate for the music minister to jangle our nerves at that time.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I’d have to look it up again, but by my memory, the rubrics say that either it is a time of total silence, or else someone can be playing some quiet music in the background. But the congregation is supposed to be praying quietly.

Not according to the GIRM:

1. While the priest is receiving the Sacrament, the Communion chant is begun. Its purpose is to express the communicants’ union in spirit by means of the unity of their voices, to show joy of heart, and to highlight more clearly the “communitarian” nature of the procession to receive Communion. The singing is continued for as long as the Sacrament is being administered to the faithful. If, however, there is to be a hymn after Communion, the Communion chant should be ended in a timely manner.

Care should be taken that singers, too, can receive Communion with ease.

1. In the dioceses of the United States of America there are four options for the Communion chant: (1) the antiphon from the Roman Missal or the Psalm from the Roman Gradual as set to music there or in another musical setting; (2) the seasonal antiphon and Psalm of the Simple Gradual; (3) a song from another collection of psalms and antiphons, approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop, including psalms arranged in responsorial or metrical forms; (4) a suitable liturgical song chosen in accordance with no. 86 above. This is sung either by the choir alone or by the choir or cantor with the people.

If there is no singing, however, the Communion antiphon found in the Missal may be recited either by the faithful, or by some of them, or by a lector. Otherwise the priest himself says it after he has received Communion and before he distributes Communion to the faithful.

 

[Brenda_V]

You’re missing the point, the song # should be
announced, so we can join in. How many folks
know the words to the church hymns?! Aren’t
we supposed to participate in the liturgy? Wasn’t
this an objective of Vatican II?

Does your Parish have one of those boards where the song numbers are posted? This should be your source for which song is being sung.

If this is something new that your Priest has started then perhaps before Mass starts an announcement can be made that the song numbers are posted on the board and then everyone should use that as their source.

As for “Rosary Hour”, there is nothing wrong with those who are gathering to pray a decade of the Rosary before Mass is about to begin. We do this at both the main church and the mission church. I find it a wonderful way to prepare myself for the Mass.

Brenda V.

 

[VAC]

Yes, the congregation is supposed to sing along, unless it’s during an obvious solo.
I don’t usually announce the communion and meditation songs. I feel as if I’m distracting if I speak during this time.

Everyone is handed a songsheet when they walk in the door. (Same principle as the board with the hymnal page number posted.)
If one is paying attention, one should know what song is being sung.

If anyone knows if there’s an official ‘correct’ way to go about this, I’d love to hear it.

 

[chnchris]

My understanding is that the “communion song” is supposed to be a quiet instrumental piece - people are supposed to be praying in their hearts at that time.

 Rubric please.

I don’t think you can “make” people sing the Processional, Offeratory, and Recessional hymns -

 No, but you can at least allow them to sing by
 letting them know the song #.

I like sung Masses very much - but I find it irritating when lay people “sing along” with the priest’s parts - I always think, what, did we suddenly all get ordained, just then?

Agreed.

 

[chnchris]

Does your Parish have one of those boards where the song numbers are posted? This should be your source for which song is being sung. If this is something new that your Priest has started then perhaps before Mass starts an announcement can be made that the song numbers are posted on the board and then everyone should use that as their source.
Brenda V.

i believe there used to be a song board a priest or 2 ago.
My question is: Shouldn't the 4 usual congregational
songs be either posted or announced? Yes or no?

 

[chnchris]

Yes, the congregation is supposed to sing along, unless it’s during an obvious solo. I don’t usually announce the communion and meditation songs. I feel as if I’m distracting if I speak during this time. Everyone is handed a songsheet when they walk in the door. (Same principle as the board with the hymnal page number posted.) If one is paying attention, one should know what song is being sung. If anyone knows if there’s an official ‘correct’ way to go about this, I’d love to hear it.

This is fine, at least know the songs if they want to 
sing, although i believe we should be allowed to sing
the Communion song too.