Singing obligatory?

[Flor]

Ah, if Loud is Good, Blaring is Exquisite Yes, our Spanish group rotates with another who are " Loud Group," every other Sunday. Some of what’s going on is that the Spanish Directors of Music ( at least in our state of Oregon ) are not paid. They are expected to be all volunteers … which of course doesn’t attract many trained musicians. English Music Directors receive a salary mandated by the Archdiocese. But there is no salary mandated for Spanish by the Archdiocese, so they are not paid. In Oregon. Your state could be different.

 

[phil19034]

Okay but what if it’s a mass where thoses prayers are sung by a professional choir (for example with a Mozart’s mass). I think in those cases we are rather supposed to keep silent and to only pray internally, right?

In those masses, most parishes will supply printouts that tells the laity which parts they are to sing an which parts to leave to the cantor or choir. Or at least that’s what they do at my Cathedral.

God Bless

 

[Mintaka]

No. It is an error. Obviously. A mute person does not attend Mass less than a choirmember. (And I am in a choir, btw!)

The true thing behind it is this: all Catholics are called to “actuosa participatio” in Mass, which is sometimes translated as “active participation.” The problem is that it does not mean that.

“Actuosa” (in this context) means something more like “life-filled” or “fully engaged”, or in Cicero’s usage, something like virtue that you work on, and that drives you to act. (I think “actuosa” was used instead of “activa” for the Cicero connection!)

“Participatio” means sharing or partaking. We partake of Christ’s life and of the Eucharist.

Everything written about this topic in Latin is about constantly going deeper into the Mass through prayer and a devout attitude. It is not about everybody being forced to sing, or do a ministry in the Mass. It is about opening yourself to share Christ’s life, through the Mass, and perhaps about being driven to live better by this. It means choosing to be there, not just showing up.

But stuff in English or other modern languages tends to claim that “actuosa” is about doing visible acts at Mass. They are wrong.

 

[Mintaka]

The way everyone primarily participates in church music is by listening, and with the heart and soul.

It is actually harder to participate in Mass fully while doing music duty! That is why most Mass ministries are something of a sacrificial offering.

Of course, there are times when it is easy to be swept along into contemplation, even when doing intricate ministry activities. Young or new church musicians are given many graces. But usually it is a matter of hard work and trust, because the gift of music is given only to be given away.

 

[Flor]

I have been directing, playing, singing the Spanish Music for just 3 years now. I have learned a lot, but am not an expert yet. Most of the music used for Spanish Mass is drawn from the Flor Y Canto repertoire, published by OCP. It’s beautiful music, compiled from numerous Spanish countries, covering compositions from 1930s to present time. Musically, most are well written with lovely Spanish chord progressions.
At our church, the Mariachi Band is considered an Entertainment Group, used for special occasions, not appropriate for usual Mass.
A YouTube search for Flor Y Canto will yield some great music well over 700