Singing & Speaking Up

[Sorbetto]

Since I’ve started attending mass, I don’t sing. I never do sing anywhere I go, because I just dislike my singing voice and would much rather listen. Is it wrong in some way for me to not participate in singing as an offering to God?

What about speaking up during mass? When responses and prayers are said aloud, I keep quiet. I say them in my head. Is this wrong? Is it better to participate audibly?

 

[stbruno]

Suppose you went to a dance but didn’t dance, did you enjoy it as much, did you get as much out of it if you danced.
If you went to class and didn’t write down any notes, or take the tests, but just answered the questions in your head, are you likely to take with you as much if you did fully participate.

I know you sound like you are uncomfortable with your singing voice but one of the great saints of our church says that singing is praying twice.
And as far as speaking the words of the mass means that you are fully participating in the sacrifice offered up for us. You are more likely to become more focused on what is actually being said and done and less likely to become distracted as well. Try it…It’s not a sin not to fully participate but why wouldn’t you want to if you would get so much more out of it. We are told to fully participate, not wait and be entertained by others singing and praying.
It may be uncomfortable at first. No one expects you to cantor for the mass, or even sing loudly, but turn to the page of the song and begin to mouth the words, then sing them softly so you and perhaps the person next to you can recognize that you are singing. Always, repeat always, pray aloud the prayers with the full congregation You will see immediately the difference in your prayer life as well. As Jesus said…Do not be afraid!

 

[m134e5]

If you don’t like to say the resposes, don’t- if you prefer to reflect on what is going on silently, then that’s ok. For some people, silent reflection is a better way to pray than speaking out loud. Maybe you would like the Tridentine Mass.

Not everyone can sing- that’s fine if they choose not too- just offer the music to God as if you were singing it.

 

[Mysty101]

Hi,

If you do not like your singing voice, try just singing softly—you may learn to enjoy singing—I love it. Remember singing is high praise, and praise is the most neglected form of prayer. God doesn’t need our praise–He wants it because He loves us, and it is beneficial to us.

And we are called to actively participate in the Mass.

RS 37…Thus the participation of the lay faithful too in the Eucharist and in the other celebrations of the Church’s Rites cannot be equated with mere presence, and still less with a passive one, but is rather to be regarded as a true exercise of faith and of the baptismal dignity.

GIRM 35. The acclamations and the responses of the faithful to the priest’s greetings and prayers constitute that level of active participation that the gathered faithful are to contribute in every form of the Mass, so that the action of the entire community may be clearly expressed and fostered.47

 

[juno24]

Sorbetto:

Since I’ve started attending mass, I don’t sing. I never do sing anywhere I go, because I just dislike my singing voice and would much rather listen. Is it wrong in some way for me to not participate in singing as an offering to God?

What about speaking up during mass? When responses and prayers are said aloud, I keep quiet. I say them in my head. Is this wrong? Is it better to participate audibly?

I never used to sing, either. I always spoke the responses, but I never would sing. Then (and I know this is going to sound corny, but…) I saw an episode of Touched By an Angel. I don’t remember the whole story, but Monica was charged with teaching a choir class even though she herself could not sing. She was reminded that we are told to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, not necessarily a beautiful one. Ever since then, when I am at Mass, I remind myself to make that joyful noise, even if it is not particularly beautiful in sound.

 

[chicago]

Singing or speaking the responses out loud will certainly more fully help you to be involved with your entire self. However, it isn’t strictly necessary and if you are fully praying along quietly, that’s just fine. Certainly, you can have “actual participation” in the Mass that way.

 

[Almeria]

I don’t have a good singing voice, and when growing up I’d sing as quietly as possible. When I met my husband (an amazing tenor), he told me what a priest told him once–“If God gave you a good singing voice, sing loudly and praise Him with it. If He didn’t, sing loudly and punish Him with it.”

I sing at a normal voice nowadays. Not to “punish” God – or those around me – but for the amazing feeling and grace that comes from praising God through singing.