Music durring the homily

[catholictiger]

is there anything wrong with it

one of the churches I was very involved with in high school starts every homily with a song that the entire congregation sings

one of my good priest friends sometimes sings by-himself during his homily.

**I don’t want personal opinion if you are saying yes or no please back up your posts with some type of church document. Thanks **

 

[MarcusAndreas]

From the GIRM

1. The Liturgy of the Word is to be celebrated in such a way as to promote meditation, and so any sort of haste that hinders recollection must clearly be avoided. During the Liturgy of the Word, it is also appropriate to include brief periods of silence, accommodated to the gathered assembly, in which, at the prompting of the Holy Spirit, the word of God may be grasped by the heart and a response through prayer may be prepared. It may be appropriate to observe such periods of silence, for example, before the Liturgy of the Word itself begins, after the first and second reading, and lastly at the conclusion of the homily.

1. The homily is part of the Liturgy and is strongly recommended, for it is necessary for the nurturing of the Christian life. It should be an exposition of some aspect of the readings from Sacred Scripture or of another text from the Ordinary or from the Proper of the Mass of the day and should take into account both the mystery being celebrated and the particular needs of the listeners.

1. The Homily should ordinarily be given by the priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating priest or occasionally, according to circumstances, to the deacon, but never to a lay person. In particular cases and for a just cause, the homily may even be given by a Bishop or a priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate. There is to be a homily on Sundays and holy days of obligation at all Masses that are celebrated with the participation of a congregation; it may not be omitted without a serious reason. It is recommended on other days, especially on the weekdays of Advent, Lent, and the Easter Season, as well as on other festive days and occasions when the people come to church in greater numbers.After the homily a brief period of silence is appropriately observed

Nowhere do we see anything that permits singing during the Homily.

 

[beth40n2]

Nothing better than qotes from the GIRM!

 

[catholictiger]

From the GIRM
Nowhere do we see anything that permits singing during the Homily.

yes it doesn’t but it doesn’t say you can’t do it, with the exception of the homily should talk about the readings this part of the GIRM doesn’t really tell us what to do. So if somehow the music related to the readings wouldn’t you have a legit homily according to the GIRM.

I’m not tyring to disagree with what the GIRM says i’m just trying to get an understanding of what it says.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

The homily is one place where the priest has some lee-way.

Some of the best homilies I have ever heard, have been by a priest, who has a beautiful voice, who has incorporated either a whole song, or parts of a song into his homily.
I also had a priest who was from Africa who always started his homily by singing a chant from his homeland.

My understanding of the purpose of the homily is to tie the readings together and give some form of instruction to the people. If this can be achieved by occaisionally using song, then why not?

I believe it was St. Augustine who said he who sings prays twice!

 

[ConstantineTG]

Yes, the priest pretty much can do anything to convey a teaching, this includes singing.

I guess as long as the song is related to what he preaches, then its fine. The only rule is that an ordained man give the homily, so a deacon, priest or bishop.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

yes it doesn’t but it doesn’t say you can’t do it …

This particular argument is frequently made against Church documents. The GIRM tells us what must be done. Just because it doesn’t tell us that something can’t be done doesn’t mean it can be done. It is impossible for any Church document to list every possible thing that someone may do but should not do. The GIRM does not prohibit the priest from doing cartwheels around the sanctuary. The absence of such a written prohibition does not give him licence to do this.

 

[catholictiger]

This particular argument is frequently made against Church documents. The GIRM tells us what must be done. Just because it doesn’t tell us that something can’t be done doesn’t mean it can be done. It is impossible for any Church document to list every possible thing that someone may do but should not do. The GIRM does not prohibit the priest from doing cartwheels around the sanctuary. The absence of such a written prohibition does not give him licence to do this.

ok I understand I just seems like it gives us some a little bit of freedom in the homily becuase its not very specific. I just don’t see any problem with a priest signing a short song if he has a beautiful voice if it adds to his homily

 

[pnewton]

This particular argument is frequently made against Church documents. The GIRM tells us what must be done. Just because it doesn’t tell us that something can’t be done doesn’t mean it can be done. It is impossible for any Church document to list every possible thing that someone may do but should not do. The GIRM does not prohibit the priest from doing cartwheels around the sanctuary. The absence of such a written prohibition does not give him licence to do this.

The GIRM also does not say that homily is to be spoken. In fact, it just says “give”. The homily is to be given. Perhaps passing around a printed copy should suffice?

I think not. I believe it is best to leave it up to the priest to choose the proper method of delivering the homily. Music can be powerful.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

The GIRM also does not say that homily is to be spoken. In fact, it just says “give”. The homily is to be given. Perhaps passing around a printed copy should suffice?

I think not. I believe it is best to leave it up to the priest to choose the proper method of delivering the homily. Music can be powerful.

I would be obliged if you would indicate where I said that music was prohibited in the homily.

 

[pnewton]

I would be obliged if you would indicate where I said that music was prohibited in the homily.

I will not, as you did not say that. Likewise,* I* did not say that you said music was prohibited in the homily.

It is my preference not to read anything into an absence of the GIRM. Just as it can not prohibit every ridiculous action, it can not specify every minute detail. It is the ***General ***Instruction on the Roman Missal.

 

[catholictiger]

I would be obliged if you would indicate where I said that music was prohibited in the homily.

the way you responded to my post made it seem like you think music shouldn’t be in the homily I guess i just misread your post

 

[Matthew_Holford]

I will not, as you did not say that. Likewise,* I* did not say that you said music was prohibited in the homily.

It is my preference not to read anything into an absence of the GIRM. Just as it can not prohibit every ridiculous action, it can not specify every minute detail. It is the ***General ***Instruction on the Roman Missal.

Perhaps then you would be so kind as to explain the purpose of what you said in Post #9.

 

[Matthew_Holford]

the way you responded to my post made it seem like you think music shouldn’t be in the homily I guess i just misread your post

Perhaps you did misread my post. Perhaps I did not express myself clearly enough.

I was responding to your comments that the GIRM does not prohibit singing during the homily. I did not intend to mean that singing was not permitted because it does not specifically say that the homilist may not sing. What I was trying to say that if the GIRM, or for that matter the Introductions and rubrics of any liturgy, does not either specifically prohibit something or says nothing about a particular matter does not automatically indicate that it is permitted.

As regards the homily though the priest does not have free rein. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments’ Instruction of 25th March 2004 Redemptionis Sacramentum on certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist #68 states that the diocesan bishop can issue norms and guidelines concerning homilies.

 

[catholictiger]

Perhaps you did misread my post. Perhaps I did not express myself clearly enough.

I was responding to your comments that the GIRM does not prohibit singing during the homily. I did not intend to mean that singing was not permitted because it does not specifically say that the homilist may not sing. What I was trying to say that if the GIRM, or for that matter the Introductions and rubrics of any liturgy, does not either specifically prohibit something or says nothing about a particular matter does not automatically indicate that it is permitted.

As regards the homily though the priest does not have free rein. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments’ Instruction of 25th March 2004 Redemptionis Sacramentum on certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist #68 states that the diocesan bishop can issue norms and guidelines concerning homilies.

thanks so I guess if I really wanted to find the answer to my question I would have to go and talk to my bishop

 

[Matthew_Holford]

thanks so I guess if I really wanted to find the answer to my question I would have to go and talk to my bishop

I suppose so if he’s issued any norms or guidelines. Have you asked the priest in question why he does this?

 

[catholictiger]

I suppose so if he’s issued any norms or guidelines. Have you asked the priest in question why he does this?

i’m not sure why one has done it I think he mentioned it before I just don’t remember

but the other guy was an opera singer in new york before he became a priest os he has a very beautiful voice I think sometimes the songs he chooses are very reflective in nature, but other then that I haven’t talked to the guy much.