Music during the Gospel

[bprop]

At Palm Sunday Mass, during the reading of the Passion, the reading was interrupted five or six times by small musical numbers. For example, during the point in the Gospel when Jesus is crucified, the reading stopped and the cantor sang a verse from “Were you there…?” I have never heard of this before but is it acceptable because the Passion reading is “different” from the normal Sunday Gospel, due to the multiple readers? It was an extremely irritating interruption to me during one of the most powerful readings of the year.

 

[japhy]

I’ve heard the Passion read that way too, with musical interludes. I’m not a fan of it, don’t know who started it (probably OCP or GIA or some other musical publishing house trying to get people to buy their music for Holy Week), and would prefer the traditional method of reading the Passion were used.

 

[CatholicZ09]

I’m not really sure if it’s licit or not. I think it is, but I’m not 100% sure. Before, we did this on Palm Sunday and Good Friday. The Gospel would be read, but with about 4-5 music interruptions at key points. Now, my new pastor didn’t like the idea, so he discontinued that practice.

 

[Musician]

I don’t understand why that would happen, except to create a “mood” or something. I don’t think I would like it at all.

 

[benedictgal]

I did manage to find this little tidbit in Paschale Solemnitatis:

Music should be provided for the passion narrative, the Easter proclamation, and the blessing of baptismal water. Obviously, the melodies should be of a simple nature in order to facilitate their use.

I think the key phrase in the italicized part is “simple nature.”

 

[CatholicZ09]

I did manage to find this little tidbit in Paschale Solemnitatis:

I think the key phrase in the italicized part is “simple nature.”

So, I think “Were You There” would be simple enough for the assembly. It seems to be well known. One year they also did the refrain of “We Remember” at key points.

 

[benedictgal]

So, I think “Were You There” would be simple enough for the assembly. It seems to be well known. One year they also did the refrain of “We Remember” at key points.

I wouldn’t necessarily do neither “Where You There” nor “We Remember.” There has to be something better out there than that. Down here, my parish does something in Spanish, “Perdon, Senor, perdon. Perdon y indulgencia. Perdon, Senor, perdon. Perdon.” It is solemn, beautiful and simple.