Songs instead of Psalm?

[Elzee]

I can’t remember what songbook we use in our parish, but I know it is one from OCP. (perhaps Breaking Bread??) In the back of the songbook are “psalms” that our parish sings instead of the psalm in the missalette. The problem, is, however, these “pslams” are really songs based on psalms.

Can anyone tell me if this is allowed? I know alternate pslams are allowed, but these songs actually have different words to them as opposed to what would be in the lectionary/missalette for the alternate psalm.

I didn’t think the words of psalms could be altered, even if an alternate one is used.

I’d apprecate any documentation you could point me to either allowing or disallowing this.

Thanks!

 

[PhilotheaZ]

From Redemptionis Sacramentum, found at vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html :

[62.] It is also illicit to omit or to substitute the prescribed biblical readings on one’s own initiative, and especially “to substitute other, non-biblical texts for the readings and responsorial Psalm, which contain the word of God”.

From a pastoral letter by Bishop Martino (Diocese of Scranton), found at dioceseofscranton.org/Bishop’s%20Pastoral%20Letters/LiturgyInstruction2005.asp (bold emphasis added):

Since the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist form the Eucharistic Liturgy, due honor must be given to the proclamation of the word of God so that the faithful may then contemplate the Word made Flesh in the Eucharist. The faithful therefore have the right to hear the word proclaimed in its entirety, without alteration. The Readings at all Masses are to be taken from the most recent edition of the Lectionary for Mass. The practice of altering the texts of the readings for any reason is to cease immediately. The Responsorial Psalm is to be given special consideration. Even though it may be sung, the Responsorial Psalm is as much the word of God as the other readings and Gospel. Therefore, the practice of singing a song other than a psalm at this time in the Liturgy of the Word is to cease. Likewise, the practice of using paraphrases of the psalms at this point in the Liturgy is also to cease. Any Responsorial Psalm sung or recited in the Liturgy of the Word must conform to the text provided in the Lectionary.

 

[benedictgal]

Here is what Redemptionis Sacramentum notes regarding the Psalm:

[62.] It is also illicit to omit or to substitute the prescribed biblical readings on one’s own initiative, and especially “to substitute other, non-biblical texts for the readings and responsorial Psalm, which contain the word of God”.138

Here is what the GIRM notes:

In the dioceses of the United States of America, the following may also be sung in place of the Psalm assigned in the Lectionary for Mass: either the proper or seasonal antiphon and Psalm from the Lectionary, as found either in the Roman Gradual or Simple Gradual or in another musical setting; or an antiphon and Psalm from another collection of the psalms and antiphons, including psalms arranged in metrical form, providing that they have been approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop. Songs or hymns may not be used in place of the responsorial Psalm.

Note that this is an adaptation granted by the Holy See to the USCCB. However, the prohibition against using songs or hymns in lieu of the responsorial psalm remains.

 

[Robert_Burke]

Sadly, when I pointed out this prohibition to my parish priest, he blew me off. He told me that he did not feel bound by a literal interpretation of Canon Law, that such an interpretation was an American mindset. He went on to point out that in Europe, things are much looser.

Since the faith seems to be dying out in Europe, I’m not sure that is the role model I would choose to follow.

But what can the faithful do when their priest refuses to follow the teachings of the Church?