Priest singing prayers during mass

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There are two priests at our parish, our pastor when he says mass he never sings any of the prayers. However our vicar, he sings when he says mass, and I like it so much better, I find it more spiritual when the mass is sung. What are the requirements to this, is every mass supposed to be sung? It’s too bad our pastor doesn’t sing the mass.
 
reff said:
It’s too bad our pastor doesn’t sing the mass.
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Regardless of his actual voice quality, he may feel that nothing, save ordination, could ever have made him into a solist.

Some time, when you see him privately, tell him you would like to hear him sing the Mass. I don’t mean to make a comparison to the vicar, but just because you like a sung Mass. If he objects that his voice is not good, let him know that you would not mind some missed notes, that you just like a sung Mass. Besides, I think it is probably true that the congregation is more willing to sing if the celebrant is on key and yet not fully ready for the recording studio. It kind of says, “Ordinary voices! We want you here, too!”

Having said that, try to be easy on your pastor, and give that vicar of yours feedback on what a pleasure it is to have him sing the Mass. I know of a few ordained men who’ve gotten some rather rude jibes about their voice quality, after singing at Mass. I think the jokes were only meant affectionately, but a few of those remarks go a long way.
 
We had a vicar last year that was from Columbia and he was more apt to sing the prayers. It seemed to help us that had a harder time with his accent. I miss him…

The nice thing about singing the prayers is you really are praying twice. Once with your heart and once with your voice.
 
reff said:
There are two priests at our parish, our pastor when he says mass he never sings any of the prayers. However our vicar, he sings when he says mass, and I like it so much better, I find it more spiritual when the mass is sung. What are the requirements to this, is every mass supposed to be sung?
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Mass doesn’t have to be sung, but it is strongly encouraged. As for rules about singing the Mass, the 1967 Instruction Musicam Sacram says the following:
These degrees are so arranged that the first may be used even by itself, but the second and third, wholly or partially, may never be used without the first. In this way the faithful will be continually led toward an ever greater participation in the singing.

The following belong to the first degree:
Code: 
(a) In the entrance rites: the greeting of the priest together with the reply of the people; the prayer.

(b) In the Liturgy of the Word: the acclamations at the Gospel.

(c) In the Eucharistic Liturgy: the prayer over the offerings; the preface with its dialogue and the Sanctus; the final doxology of the Canon, the Lord's Prayer with its introduction and embolism; the Pax Domini; the prayer after the Communion; the formulas of dismissal.
The following belong to the second degree:
Code: 
(a) the Kyrie, Gloria and Agnus Dei;

(b) the Creed;

(c) the prayer of the faithful.
The following belong to the third degree:
Code: 
(a) the songs at the Entrance and Communion processions;

(b) the songs after the Lesson or Epistle;

(c) the Alleluia before the Gospel;

(d) the song at the Offertory;

(e) the readings of Sacred Scripture, unless it seems more suitable to proclaim them without singing.
So technically, if anything is sung during Mass, it should be those elements of the “first degree”. This isn’t often the case, though. 😦
 
japhy said:
Mass doesn’t have to be sung, but it is strongly encouraged. As for rules about singing the Mass, the 1967 Instruction Musicam Sacram says the following:These degrees are so arranged that the first may be used even by itself, but the second and third, wholly or partially, may never be used without the first. In this way the faithful will be continually led toward an ever greater participation in the singing.

The following belong to the first degree:
Code: 
(a) In the entrance rites: the greeting of the priest together with the reply of the people; the prayer.

(b) In the Liturgy of the Word: the acclamations at the Gospel.

(c) In the Eucharistic Liturgy: the prayer over the offerings; the preface with its dialogue and the Sanctus; the final doxology of the Canon, the Lord's Prayer with its introduction and embolism; the Pax Domini; the prayer after the Communion; the formulas of dismissal.
The following belong to the second degree:
Code: 
(a) the Kyrie, Gloria and Agnus Dei;

(b) the Creed;

(c) the prayer of the faithful.
The following belong to the third degree:
Code: 
(a) the songs at the Entrance and Communion processions;

(b) the songs after the Lesson or Epistle;

(c) the Alleluia before the Gospel;

(d) the song at the Offertory;

(e) the readings of Sacred Scripture, unless it seems more suitable to proclaim them without singing.So technically, if *anything* is sung during Mass, it should be those elements of the "first degree".  This isn't often the case, though. :(
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Hmm. Most of the time during Weekday Masses, the Kyrie and Agnus Dei are sung, but the acclamations at the Gospel almost never are.

Interesting document, that Musicam Sacram.
 
porthos11 said:
Hmm. Most of the time during Weekday Masses, the Kyrie and Agnus Dei are sung, but the acclamations at the Gospel almost never are. Interesting document, that Musicam Sacram.
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I’m willing to bet it’s not followed simply because priests (and other people) just don’t know about it.
 
Our pastor is gifted with a beautiful voice as are many other pastors in our diocese. There are some, however, who could not carry a tune with 10 years of singing lessons, but excell in other areas of their ministry. Our pastor does sing parts of the Mass. I say you go with your gifts.Years ago there was a pastor with a terrible voice that sang and that’s all I remember about him.
 
Mmm our pastor sings wonderfully and sings many parts of the Mass in gorgeous plainchant(english, some latin). I love it.
 
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