What does the Rubric really define?

[palambes]

I cannot find any ‘official’ guidelines for seasonal or liturical music. Where are the rules that define how we approach the music of the lenten season? Can music be incorporated into the weekend Masses or do we nothing ?

 

[benedictgal]

I cannot find any ‘official’ guidelines for seasonal or liturical music. Where are the rules that define how we approach the music of the lenten season? Can music be incorporated into the weekend Masses or do we nothing ?

Here is what Paschale Solemnitatis says about music during Lent:

1. “In Lent, the altar should not be decorated with flowers, and musical instruments may be played only to give necessary support to the singing.” [20] This is in order that the penitential character of the season be preserved.

Musicam Sacram gives you the hierarchy of music that should be sung during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass:

These degrees are so arranged that the first may be used even by itself, but the second and third, wholly or partially, may never be used without the first. In this way the faithful will be continually led toward an ever greater participation in the singing.

1. The following belong to the first degree:

(a) In the entrance rites: the greeting of the priest together with the reply of the people; the prayer.

(b) In the Liturgy of the Word: the acclamations at the Gospel.

(c) In the Eucharistic Liturgy: the prayer over the offerings; the preface with its dialogue and the Sanctus; the final doxology of the Canon, the Lord’s Prayer with its introduction and embolism; the Pax Domini; the prayer after the Communion; the formulas of dismissal.

1. The following belong to the second degree:

(a) the Kyrie, Gloria and Agnus Dei;

(b) the Creed;

(c) the prayer of the faithful.

1. The following belong to the third degree:

(a) the songs at the Entrance and Communion processions;

(b) the songs after the Lesson or Epistle;

(c) the Alleluia before the Gospel;

(d) the song at the Offertory;

(e) the readings of Sacred Scripture, unless it seems more suitable to proclaim them without singing.

At Masses in our parish, our parochial vicar has us singing the parts of the Mass that belong to the first degree, including the Gospel Acclamation, the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy), the Memorial Acclamation and the Great Amen. We recite the Entrance and Communion Antiphons.

While EWTN has singing during Daily Mass, it really is not recommended. For one thing, daily Mass is often shorter. People will either go to Mass before work or during lunch time. Second, we need to differentiate between the Sunday and the weekday liturgies (unless, of course a Solemnity/Holy Day of Obligation occurs during the week).

I hope this helps.