Singing at mass or not

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Is it more virtuous to sing at mass or not or is it neutral?

It can’t be a sin not to sing (since then, pre-vatican II masses where the congregation didn’t sing would be sinful) can it?
 
As a church musician, I believe it is neutral. Some people can’t sing or feel more uncomfortable if they do sing, and they are welcome to pray along with the songs or make silent prayer if they want.

The songs are there for prayer, reflection, and worship. if you pray, worship, and reflect better in silent prayer, then by all means!!!
 
It is said that a person who sings pray twice. For those who cannot sing aloud they should sing with their minds.
 
Kkb said:
It is said that a person who sings pray twice. For those who cannot sing aloud they should sing with their minds.
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It is said that that those who cannot sing, should sing louder :D, because their voice is a gift from God…

…a gift that needs to be returned! 😉
 
Interesting timing as my pastor told us today that the Church is encouraging singing only parts of the Mass and steering away from popular hymns during Mass. If you think about it, Mass is what we as Catholics come to church for and it’s only right we use the prayers of the Mass and only those prayers throughout.
 
It’s not a sin to not sing. I agree with what KKB says; singing is to pray twice. I love to sing, though I’m not all that! My choir director has me singing soprano…she must have hopes for me. Luckily, I am blessed with several other soprano’s who are great. So I can blend in.
 
The proverb quoted in the GIRM is:
“One who sings well prays twice.”
 
I’m Eastern Catholic and the one thing I really like about the East is that the entire liturgy is chanted and the congregation participates in it.

In my opinion, everyone is welcome to sing and if you are a bad singer you will be outdone by the good singers so it should not be a problem unless you try to sing badly really loud.
 
Penitant said:
The proverb quoted in the GIRM is:
“One who sings well prays twice.”
Click to expand...
Define ‘well’ 😉
Is it a reference to the quality of singing? or the joy of the singing?
Or is it reference to the song once sung (as in medium rare)?

Something interesting I have seen recently in my own parish.
There are a few that really cannot sing. No rhythm, no sense of tone, just a loud, monotone voice with no timing.

It has caused many others to sing just to drown it out.
And of course our tone deaf friend sings all the louder as well.

And in the end, we end up with a very loud song being belted out by the entire parish.

With an effect like this, I do not see how the quality of the singing voice really plays into wether or not we should sing.
 
Well, no…it’s not sinful…

Sometimes it’s not possible to sing. I went to a Ukraninan Catholic Church a few weeks ago without knowing a word of the hymns.
 
Singing is a form of praising God.

I feel guilty if I’m not singing when everyone else is. Therefore I have to conclude that my concience is trying to tell me something…

If you cannot sing (very well), then turn down the volume and sing softly if you feel you should. Other posters have said you should sing loudly with the voice God gave you. I’m OK with that too. 👍
 
As a professional musician and a church musician, I would say it is morally neutral. Although I love hearing the congregation sing, at the same time I know that there are many people who do not feel the need to sing, do not want to sing or prefer to hear the music rather than to sing it. Some people don’t think there is any need for music and singing for prayer or some people actually pray better when listening rather than singing. Thus, I wouldn’t think of them as less virtuous just because they don’t want to actively sing.

For me, singing is an ultimate prayer. This is mainly because my voice is my main instrument. Yet, there are times when I would much prefer to hear just the choir, or an organ solo during the offertory, or sometimes no music at all. When I listen, I receive God’s beauty and love by allowing the prayer of the music to engulf me spiritually and physically. When I sing, I also experience the same, but it is sometimes stressful because I feel a great responsibility to be sure that what I’m doing is with absolute prayer so that I am completely utilized as a vessel to spread that love and beauty from God. (This is when I am either performing in the secular world or working as a church musician. As a congregant, it is not quite like that.)
 
If God gave you a bad voice, He should have to deal with you singing in His house 🙂
 
fakename said:
Is it more virtuous to sing at mass or not or is it neutral?

It can’t be a sin not to sing (since then, pre-vatican II masses where the congregation didn’t sing would be sinful) can it?
Click to expand...
Personally, with my voice I am one fo the reasons God created humming!
 
Debora123 said:
If God gave you a bad voice, He should have to deal with you singing in His house 🙂
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😃

I know people who love to sing and know they have bad voices. I actually love hearing them sing especially at parties, family functions, mass, etc. because I know they do it for the love of singing and music. It’s “pure” in a way since they are cognizent of their own inability to sing or bad timbre. So, I’m with you on this. 👍
 
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