Music played during Consecration?

[jrs88]

Today was the first Sunday without our wonderful old organist. The new music director plays only piano, so no more organ which I could understand because how many people can play the organ) but something really upset me this morning - she kept playing music as Father was consecrating the Eucharist. I love the holy silence at Consecration, when you can hear a pin drop, it is so otherworldly, and that’s when I adore Jesus on the altar, but this ruined it and made noise. I am going to talk to Father about it next time I go to confession, as I know him well…hopefully that will make it stop. Anyway I was just wondering if anyone else’s parish did this; it’s the first time I’ve ever experienced it.

 

[benedictgal]

Today was the first Sunday without our wonderful old organist. The new music director plays only piano, so no more organ which I could understand because how many people can play the organ) but something really upset me this morning - she kept playing music as Father was consecrating the Eucharist. I love the holy silence at Consecration, when you can hear a pin drop, it is so otherworldly, and that’s when I adore Jesus on the altar, but this ruined it and made noise. I am going to talk to Father about it next time I go to confession, as I know him well…hopefully that will make it stop. Anyway I was just wondering if anyone else’s parish did this; it’s the first time I’ve ever experienced it.

This is prohibited under Redemptionis Sacramentum:

[53.] While the Priest proclaims the Eucharistic Prayer “there should be no other prayers or singing, and the organ or other musical instruments should be silent”,132 except for the people’s acclamations that have been duly approved, as described below.

Furthermore, because we are in the season of Lent, Paschale Solemnitatis, the authoritative document on Lent and Holy Week, states that:

1. “In Lent, the altar should not be decorated with flowers, and musical instruments may be played only to give necessary support to the singing.” [20] This is in order that the penitential character of the season be preserved.

Thus, what the pianist did was wrong on two counts, with the first one being the most severe, as I read the documents.

 

[preV2tradcath]

Benedictgal,thank you for answering. Would today be a litle different? I know in the EF it is Laetare Sunday, and more organ and flowers are allowed then during the other Sundays of Lent.
Just wanted to add that in the EF playing during the Consecration is a big no no. If our organist plays anything during the Canon (Eucharistic Prayer), it is after the Consecration. Also, our priest says the Sanctus and starts the Canon while the choir chants the Sanctus. That is usually the extent of the music just before the Consecration.

 

[Corki]

Just wanted to add that in the EF playing during the Consecration is a big no no.

It’s a big no-no in the OF too.

 

[Chatter163]

I know in the EF it is Laetare Sunday, and more organ and flowers are allowed then during the other Sundays of Lent.

It is Laetare Sunday in the OF, as well.

 

[ChurchTorch]

Today was the first Sunday without our wonderful old organist. The new music director plays only piano, so no more organ which I could understand because how many people can play the organ) but something really upset me this morning - she kept playing music as Father was consecrating the Eucharist. I love the holy silence at Consecration, when you can hear a pin drop, it is so otherworldly, and that’s when I adore Jesus on the altar, but this ruined it and made noise. I am going to talk to Father about it next time I go to confession, as I know him well…hopefully that will make it stop. Anyway I was just wondering if anyone else’s parish did this; it’s the first time I’ve ever experienced it.

It’s a huge no-no. Even back a decade ago when things were very abusive in my parish an uproar started when the music director started to do what you describe. It’s monumentally unacceptable and your pastor should stop it in its tracks.

 

[jrs88]

Thanks all, especially Benedictgal with those quotes. I’m going to talk to Father on Wednesday and just kind of pose it as a question as to why it was done, and tell him it made me really upset (sad upset)…I’ve never complained about anything in the parish to him and I know him well, so hopefully it will help. (I don’t think it was his choice that it was done, as we never had it with the old organist, I think the pianist just decided to keep playing)

 

[Palaeologos]

I’m afraid that if I were the priest, I would have snapped “Quiet, please!” when the music started playing.

 

[Dorothy]

Thanks all, especially Benedictgal with those quotes. I’m going to talk to Father on Wednesday and just kind of pose it as a question as to why it was done, and tell him it made me really upset (sad upset)…I’ve never complained about anything in the parish to him and I know him well, so hopefully it will help. (I don’t think it was his choice that it was done, as we never had it with the old organist, I think the pianist just decided to keep playing)

Hopefully, the priest has already spoken to her. If he hasn’t/doesn’t she may just continue to do the wrong thing.

I believe if it happened to my pastor he would have spoken to her as soon as possible after Mass.