What constitutes Sacred Music or what can be sung and played at Mass?

[Brenda_V]

I know there are several Music MInistry/Liturgists out there and I asking you more specifically what songs (besides Gregorian Chant) are appropriate for Christmas Mass. My daughter plays the violin in our small mission Parish’s choir and wants to help pick some music for the group to play and sing for our Christmas Mass(es).

The song that she is most specifically wanting to do is a French carol, “Il et Nè” or “He is Born”. It is not in our Hymnal so we are clueless. I know that if it isn’t considered “Sacred Music” it could be played prior to the Mass.

Help!!

Brenda V.

 

[Marysann]

Brenda, I can not give you a definitive answer about the French Christmas song Il est Ne, but we have sung it in our church choir. Our pastor is very strict about liturgical matters, and has set very high standards for our parish music program. It is is lovely carol, and there are no problems with the words although we sang it in French. I hope this helps. Marysann

 

[Brenda_V]

Marysann - Thank you. I know you don’t have the specific information but I will trust that if your choir sang it and you have a very orthodox Priest I will go with your word on it.

It is a beautiful carol and I love to sing it in the French!

I am sure we can pass it by our Mother Parishes head liturgist but wanted some idea of where we stand on it.

I am still looking for a way to know what is and what isn’t allowed music wise.

Brenda V.

 

[LarryM]

Brenda V.:

IThe song that she is most specifically wanting to do is a French carol, “Il et Nè” or “He is Born”. It is not in our Hymnal so we are clueless. I know that if it isn’t considered “Sacred Music” it could be played prior to the Mass.
Brenda V.

Hi Brenda,

One of my grand daughters will be playing violin on Christmas, too.

I don’t know the song, so I can’t offer an opinion as to whether it would be considered Sacred Music. However, as a legitimate Christmas Carol, it would be as appropriate for Mass on Christmas as any other Christmas Carol, such as Silent Night, O Holy Night, or O Little Town of Bethlehem.

The choral presentation of such a song would fit best before Mass, as an Offertory song, as one of several Communion songs, or after Mass.

Documentation on when such a song might be appropriate can be found in:

**Musicam Sacram
**********Instruction On Music In The Liturgy
******Sacred Congregation of Rites, March 5, 1967

1. In sung or said Masses, the organ, or other instrument legitimately admitted, can be used to accompany the singing of the choir and the people; it can also be played solo at the beginning before the priest reaches the altar, at the Offertory, at the Communion, and at the end of Mass.

Hard to believe it’s only 58 days til Chtistmas

 

[VociMike]

Here’s what Musicam Sacram says about what constitutes sacred music:

*4. It is to be hoped that pastors of souls, musicians and the faithful will gladly accept these norms and put them into practice, uniting their efforts to attain the true purpose of sacred music, “which is the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful.”

(a) By sacred music is understood that which, being created for the celebration of divine worship, is endowed with a certain holy sincerity of form.
(b) The following come under the title of sacred music here: Gregorian chant, sacred polyphony in its various forms both ancient and modern, sacred music for the organ and other approved instruments, and sacred popular music, be it liturgical or simply religious.*

 

[Servus_Pio_XII]

More from Musicam Sacram:

“11. It should be borne in mind that the true solemnity of liturgical worship depends less on a more ornate form of singing and a more magnificent ceremonial than on its worthy and religious celebration, which takes into account the integrity of the liturgical celebration itself, and the performance of each of its parts according to their own particular nature. To have a more ornate form of singing and a more magnificent ceremonial is at times desirable when there are the resources available to carry them out properly; on the other hand it would be contrary to the true solemnity of the liturgy if this were to lead to a part of the action being omitted, changed, or improperly performed.”

In other words: If you can make it ornate, do. If you cannot, please don’t try, as that would actually degrade the celebration.

So, bottom line, it really depends on what sort of a music ministry you happen to have.