Sing or saying?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jesusmademe
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jesusmademe

Guest
I’ve noticed that hermits say the Divine office in their cells and the cenobites sing/chant the Office. It seems that singing is something that is done mostly with other people.
Do you sing or say your morning prayers when alone? I find that singing alone works for me.
Why do you think singing prayers is more of a communal thing? What are your experience with this? Why is it that hermits dont really sing (unless being together with others)?
 
Aquinas11 said:
He who sings prays twice - St Augustine
Click to expand...
Actually the saying is, “He who sings well, prays twice.”

I typically recite the Office and sing the Gospel Canticles and Marian Antiphons.

Deacon Christopher
 
“Bis orat qui bene cantat” is the Latin.

Why would the call to being a hermit and singing not go hand in hand? Is singing in monasticism only to be done together with others?
I dont see why the call to being a hermit and singing cant go hand in hand.
I do find it weird for me when I just recite prayers rather than sing them. This applies to when alone or with others. I have one thing in common with the hermits: I live alone in my apartment.
I am just trying figure out why being alone is a time for spoken prayer. Don’t people sing when alone (other than practising singing technique).
I am probably supposed to understand this but I am not the most learned guy. What’s this all about?
It would be wonderdul to live in a hermitage with at least piano, organ and singing voice. I could just have gotten things terribly wrong.
 
Last edited:
I remeber talking to a Priest (RIP) and he said that music can be a distraction at Mass. He prefered a low Mass, I think. I think he celebrated the low Mass (if this is the correct OF terminology).
Have you ever experinced this? Singing can be an obstacle or distraction?
I think singing gives a very social element to Mass. I am not here refering to social in the sense of social gathering but rather like a community feeling.
This is why I asked: why dont hermtits sing in the hermitage (or maybe some do)?
What do you make of this?
 
I say mine…but then again, my singing it appalling so there may be that. Also even when I am with my order (lay) we say it and do not sing it, except the hymn on occasion we sing it. I think it depends on ability as well.
 
You probably have to ask the hermits. Both my parish priest prefer no singing at mass, one cannot sing well and the other has a simply wonderful voice. They both will defer to the parish and sing now and again. I am talking about week day mass, as weekend mass is set. I don’t know any hermits to ask but I would guess that it is set by their Order ie obedience to their rule etc. then if not specified preference and/or ability.
 
Last edited:
I for one find chanting of e.g. Scriptures at Mass to be a powerful distraction. I just can’t focus on the words if they are sung rather than read.

ICXC NIKA
 
Diaconia said:
Actually the saying is, “He who sings well , prays twice.”
Click to expand...
No, they’re both sayings attributed to St Augustine from this:
“For he that singeth praise, not only praiseth, but only praiseth with gladness: he that singeth praise, not only singeth, but also loveth him of whom he singeth. In praise, there is the speaking forth of one confessing; in singing, the affection of one loving.”
Click to expand...
(St. Augustine, Commentary on Psalm 73, 1)
 
I tried to sing mine for a while , but I was paying much more attention to getting the tones right than I was to the words I was saying. I gave up.
 
Ugh. I hate singing at mass. I’m sure many people really enjoy it but when that organ picks up for the ‘Our Father’, my heart sinks. Our priest loves singing his blooming heart out.

I find that I drift when the singing is going on whereas I’m much more engaged when prayers are being spoken.
 
I have experienced this as well but I take singing lessons and so I am.much better at it now.
I am still a bit worried about finding the right notes.
I think this is why singing can be a distraction. Then they say singing in a group is easier (but not always). Tenors like me dont always like singing with baritones who sing too low.
There are issues to deal with when singing. I always complain that at least some hymns are too low in the church.
 
I see, people tend to view singing as a simple thing but even just trying a simple Pater Noster can be difficult. People dont really sing well.
There are much practice needed in order for me to sing. And I tell you Kyrie VIII and Sanctus VIII aint that easy as one might think.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top