Sing the Consecration

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Does anyone here know whether or not Canon Law allows a priest to sing the words of the consecration? I saw this done recently and, while I am an avid singer myself, I was quite surprised by this. Although I share this priest’s ardor, I wonder - if this is not specifically allowed by Canon Law, would the consecration then be invalid??
 
The entire Mass may be sung. It’s a sad statement that you’d never heard the Eucharistic Prayer sung before and that I’ve rarely heard it done.
 
I have been to several masses over the years where the EP has been sung. IF the presider has a decent voice it can be very beautiful.
 
Rules like this (if there are any) would probably be in some other document. Canon Law doesn’t dedicate much of itself to liturgy since it has so many other areas to cover. If there would be, I’m guessing it would be in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, available here nccbuscc.org/liturgy/current/GIRM.pdf

But also check this out ewtn.com/library/Liturgy/zlitur128.htm
Thank you to all who responded to my question and, especially, to “JesuXPI…” for the very helpful links! That was a wonderful answer. 👍
 
Regarding the singing of the Consecration, it certainly can be done. In fact, Pope Benedict has done it on numerous occasions. The only thing that cannot, should not and must not happen is to have any musical accompanyment whatsoever during the Consecration.

I went to Mass at San Frenando in San Antonio and was most alarmed that the celebrant, who was supposed ot have been a liturgist, have the piano playing during the consecration. At the moment of the consecration of the Preciuos Blood, the piano crescendoed. Mind you, this happened well after Redemptionis Sacramentum was implemented.

Here is what RS says regarding the Eucharistic Prayer:
[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.
Therefore, singing is licit.
 
I really love when we have a sung Mass which can happen with an OF/NO.

Brenda V.
 
I seem to remember that the Pope sang the Consecration at the Mass at Yankee Stadium. I could be wrong though, I remember a lot of singing but I’m pretty sure he did.
 
Actually, not only MAY it be sung, it SHOULD be sung. Singing the Mass is the norm. Though that norm is typically not normative, in practice. Which is why it seems strange when it actually occurs. Fr. George Rutler has noted that the Mass is only spoken by indult.
 
We certainly know that, “They sang a song,” at the Last Supper. So there is no reason to think that there may have not been other joyful praise in song and even gaiety.

If singing is understood as the highest expression of humanity lifting up its voice, then it is certainly most appropriate for such a celebration as the Mass. It is even a form of solemnity.

2 Chronicles 29:27. When the sacrifice was made “The Song Of The Lord Began.”
 
Actually, not only MAY it be sung, it SHOULD be sung. Singing the Mass is the norm. Though that norm is typically not normative, in practice. Which is why it seems strange when it actually occurs. Fr. George Rutler has noted that the Mass is only spoken by indult.
I remember hearing that myself. It’s sad that so few masses contain chant.
 
I remember hearing that myself. It’s sad that so few masses contain chant.
It’s sad that so few seminarians are taught to sing and chant with any semblance of ability. Oh for the days of Msgr. Charles Meter!
 
The priest that used to be at my parish (Before he became an assistant to the cardinal! :dancing:) was a trained singer. He sang professionally at weddings before he became a priest, so needless to say, he was very, very good. Sometimes, he would sing the Consecration, and it was always so beautiful!
 
My priest always sings or chants the Consecration and the final blessing. A couple of times he hasn’t, I think it was Good Friday. But other than that he does every Mass…but when he is away the priest that usually fills in for him doesn’t sing the Consecration and its jarringly different.
 
My priest always sings or chants the Consecration and the final blessing. A couple of times he hasn’t, I think it was Good Friday.
Just a note, there isn’t a Consecration on Good Friday. The Hosts would all have been reserved from the previous night’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper. I’m not sure, but there might not be a final blessing either.
 
Just a note, there isn’t a Consecration on Good Friday. The Hosts would all have been reserved from the previous night’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper. I’m not sure, but there might not be a final blessing either.
There’s no final blessing since the Triduum is one celebration in several parts. There’s no final blessing at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday nor on Good Friday. The final Blessing is at the Easter Vigil.
 
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