This brings up a question for me. I’m in the process of converting and one of my wife’s biggest issues with the Catholicism is the lack of music. How much singing and of what goes on at Mass?
Actually, I think there’s more singing at Catholic masses than at most Protestant services. The main difference is Protestants usually devote a time during their services where they sing 3, 4, or more songs in a row. Whereas Catholics spread our music throughout the whole mass. There’s a lot of music!
First there’s an processional hymn. The hymn varies every Sunday and is different from parish to parish.
Every Sunday, The Kyrie can be sung, but it’s usually just spoken in most parishes:
“Lord have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy.”
Personally, I like this Greek/English version by Matt Maher:
Kyrie- Matt Maher We use a similar version at mass except the English words aren’t included. I don’t think those are meant to be used when sung as the Kyrie during mass.
On most Sundays, we sing the
Gloria.
Then there’s a
Responsorial Psalm which changes every Sunday but is the same at every Parish.
Then the
Alleluia is sung before the Gospel is read.
Then there’s the offertory hymn which is sung while the collection basket is going around, while the gifts are being brought to the altar, and while the priest is preparing the altar. This hymn varies every Sunday and is different from parish to parish.
Then there’s the Eucharistic acclamations which are sung every Sunday:
Sanctus- Latin Version
Sanctus-Contemporary English version
Memorial Acclamation
Amen
Then after the Our Father (which can be sung as well) we sing the Agnus Dei which seems to be everyone’s favorite, no matter which parish I go to. I can’t find the version that I like best. But this version by Matt Maher sounds nice, it’s a mix of Latin & English:
spiritandsong.com/musicondemand/songs/65160
Then there’s a communion hymn, or 2, depending on how long it takes for everyone to get done.
Then there’s a recessional hymn.
So yeah, there’s so much music going on at mass!