What musical instruments are permitted at Mass?

[MtnDwellar]

But in Charismatic movements and others, I think people start attributing every single feeling of joy (sometimes entirely due to the music or community) or spasm of the body to be the Holy Spirit. Then they start “feeling” the Holy Spirit when all they are actually feeling is nothing different from what a person feels at a rock concert or, dare I say it, a cult gathering.

I have experienced interior feelings when listening to well performed music. I recall an entire audience being silenced and seeming spellbound at a Pink Floyd concert.

These feelings are completely horizontal in nature. I am hoping to find a description of a more vertical feeling derived directly from the presence of God. It has to be outstanding.

 

[Cricket2]

So you’d be happy if there was the prospect of electric guitars (not a plain acoustic folk guitar) and a drum kit at your Mass? The minute that were to happen in my church I’d be out the door and off, not just to another parish, but to another diocese.

I would think the instrument would never be the problem. Rather what is played and how it is played would concern me. There are “new christian songs” that I find offensive and more for the entertainment genre than worship. It does not matter if the instrument is our voices or a guitar if what is coming out of them is holy and reverent. If it is not, then that particular piece of music or song needs to go. (I don’t like electric guitars because they are too loud and noisy for me, but I can imagine them being used with care and not cause a problem.)

I do know that on many occasions our Pastor forbid certain songs for weddings due to the fact that they were not liturgically appropriate. He also closely monitored and discussed with choirs what we could and could not sing during Mass.

We are called to make a “joyful noise.” I am sure that joy is meant to be reverent.

 

[Oneofthewomen]

I have been blessed to experience gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. I have not yet felt Him move through me.

What does that feel like?

OK, maybe a bad choice of words. What I mean is that the Church was full of people who wanted to be there, knew what they were there for, and were giving glory to God in a unique and wonderful way. This particular Mass is at 6pm on Sunday, and the church is usually filled to capacity. There is an active youth group after the mass and they engage in all sorts of service projects to their parish and beyond. It is always inspiring to me to see young people on fire for the faith, and if a “rock band” helps that, I have no problem with it! For me, it’s just proof that the Holy Spirit is at work!

 

[judynurse]

You might want to consider that Life Teen is a Church approved organization. The music is about our Faith, and although “modern” it has brought back and kept a lot of young adults in the Church. As for instruments, at our Parish (which has actually 3 separate locations/churches), we have 2 organs, 1 piano, and during college breaks, a piano accompanied by a college student playing a flute and another playing a violin. Neither the flute or the violin are intrusive, but soft and lovely, usually during Communion. As for “unusual instruments”, in some countries, such as Africa, the music is normally accompanied by both drums and simple flutes in the rural parishes, which are a roof with posts around, and seldom have walls, except those which have walls of woven grass or palms. As for guitars, I attended a beautiful Mass in Mexico, which included a 12 string classical guitar, 3 other regular guitars, 2 sets of hand drums and one small set of regular drums. Nothing electric, since that Parish Church had no electricity (also no air conditioning & it was in the 90’s farenheit!). I found the music very beautiful, but during the Communion, one of the players used a flute, softly playing a hymn and the entire Mass was lovely. I found nothing “profane” and with no lack of dignity & the glorification of the Mass and the Lord was surely involved. Loved it. It depends on where you live, your culture, etc… Don’t think I’d like a “steel guitar”, unless the sound was turned low so it was more reverent, rather than overwhelming, but that might depend upon the culture and congregation. For Teen Life, it might be appropriate if not overwhelming the sound of the singing of the congregation.

 

[rondirect]

I would think the instrument would never be the problem. Rather what is played and how it is played would concern me. There are “new christian songs” that I find offensive and more for the entertainment genre than worship. It does not matter if the instrument is our voices or a guitar if what is coming out of them is holy and reverent. If it is not, then that particular piece of music or song needs to go. (I don’t like electric guitars because they are too loud and noisy for me, but I can imagine them being used with care and not cause a problem.)

I do know that on many occasions our Pastor forbid certain songs for weddings due to the fact that they were not liturgically appropriate. He also closely monitored and discussed with choirs what we could and could not sing during Mass.

We are called to make a “joyful noise.” I am sure that joy is meant to be reverent.

Thank you! As I was reading this thread from its start a couple of years ago, I was truly amazed. We cannot forget that there are Catholics all over the world and the organ is not the only instrument. Other countries use a variety of instruments to praise God and lead the people in song based on their culture, probably ones we have not even heard of!

Have we also forgotten 2 Samuel 6:5 - “And David and all the house of Israel played befor the Lord on ALL MANNER OF INSTRUMENTS (my caps) made of fir wood, even on harps, an on psalteries and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.” (drum kit anyone?)

And 1 Chronicles 13:8 adds - “and with trumpets.”

We have a LifeTeen band and an additional 3 out of 4 choir masses in English that all use drums or/and timpani, guitars, electric bass, piano and organ all the time all coordinated in balance to each other and played so the choir is able to be heard and lead. We use a blended music style from traditional to contemporary to praise and worship. No complaints from the PIPs, they love it.

 

[judynurse]

Sounds like an interesting mix!! Can’t imagine the sound, but it does state in Scriptures to “make a joyful NOISE unto the Lord”. The Pipe Organ hadn’t been invented when that was written, but tambourines, drums, flutes, (pipes), and cymbals are all traditional in the Middle East. Listen to a Middle Eastern song with instruments, that is the type of music which would have been familiar to the OT writers, and in fact, to Jesus.

If you read about the blowing of the “trumpets” or “horns” at the Temple in the time of Christ, think of the sound of a ram’s horn being blown!! THAT was the “trumpets” used in the OT worship - a “Shofar” or ram’s horn, hollowed out with a mouthpiece added. It is NOT a “musical” sound, but it does get your attention, which is what it was intended for! This type of “trumpet” was used as a signal, also, for the Army of Israel in the Holy Land in the time of David, and was also blown at the Temple in the time of Christ to signal the time of Sacrifice and prayer. It can still be heard today in Synagogues at certain times, such as the Day of Atonement, when it is blown to draw the attention of the worshippers to the prayers of atonement – and a good reminder of the “Hosts of the Lord” and the Judgment of God to come.

 

[Elizium23]

At this point in time, the Church has decided that it cares less about these issues. She is more concerned about just removing anything that can become an obstacle for someone to remain or enter the Church.

I would make a distinction between what the Church as a body has decided and what her individual parts have opted to do.

The Church as a body has repeatedly documented her preferences as to musical instruments, types of music, and the form which singing the Mass and singing at Mass is to take. The Church has spoken clearly up to and including the codification of liturgical law into the General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM), and particularly in the “gold standard” document of the reformed Mass, Sacrosanctum Concilium.

However, just as clear as these documents make the mind of the Church known, her actions through competent authority such as diocesan bishops and parish priests has also been made known. Since Vatican II, the overwhelming majority of priests and bishops have swept aside these preferences, and used whatever music suited them, and used whatever instruments suited that music.

So what we really have to ask ourselves is: which voice of the Church should we listen to? Rome seems particularly ineffectual in these areas. Rome speaks and nobody listens. The folk Mass of my youth included flute, guitar, autoharp and tambourine. My own parish seven years ago used electric guitar, bass, drum set and piano. We were clearly not alone in our decisions as to the type of instrument and the music they played. Nor were we reprimanded by any competent authority for violating rules. So the question becomes, what kind of law is it that seemingly exists for no other purpose but to be disobeyed? Is it really a law at all? And can we call it disobedience, when it is by the very enforcers thereof?

 

[Brendan_64]

So the question becomes, what kind of law is it that seemingly exists for no other purpose but to be disobeyed? Is it really a law at all? And can we call it disobedience, when it is by the very enforcers thereof?

No law exist to be disobeyed and just because many people disobey a law that doesn’t make it right. We do not disobey laws in order to have them changed.

If you want to extend that logic, then you may as well extend it to the lifestyles chosen by many people (including many Catholics) - cohabitation, divorce, not attending Mass, not attending Confession etc. Do these laws also exist for no other purpose but to be disobeyed?

We are not Pentecostal communities, we do not decide for ourselves what does and does not belong in the Liturgy.

 

[Cat]

Well, he hasn’t decided anything. Everybody just does whatever they want. Although the cathedral liturgies should be copied the country over, I might add!

Then that is what he has decided.

 

[on_the_hill]

Let’s think of this in a wider context.

If you were attending a Mass somewhere other than North America or Europe, say Africa, Polynesia, Southeast Asia, or India for example, which musical instruments would you expect (or demand) to hear?

If you were attending Mass underneath a tent in Nigeria, would you be offended if native drums were used?

What’s important is *how *the instrument is used, not *which *instrument is used. Didn’t St. Paul say something about what comes out of our bodies as being more important than what goes in?

That being said, our church plays everything from the old pipe organ to electric guitars and keyboards, to a country music style with slide guitar. Personally, I think the loudness of the electrics (particularly the slide guitar) is an affront to my Sunday morning ears, but I’ve never considered them out-of-bounds liturgically speaking.

 

[pnewton]

Well, he hasn’t decided anything. Everybody just does whatever they want. Although the cathedral liturgies should be copied the country over, I might add!

I can’t agree that this is even possible, much less desirable. A cathedral takes in resources from the whole diocese and simply cannot be copied. There is a reason it is a cathedral. It is unique in many ways.

 

[pnewton]

I’m not asking for people’s opinions about what is and what is not appropriate, I’m asking if anyone knows the definitive rules on this.

You say you do not want opinions, but opinions, those of what the Church considers competent authority, is what makes these decisions. There is no specific answer to your opening question. This is deliberate.

 

[pnewton]

Rome seems particularly ineffectual in these areas. Rome speaks and nobody listens.

Judging Rome as ineffectual assumes a specific effect.

 

[YoungTradCath]

Then that is what he has decided.

Well, no, a lack of decision is not a decision.

I didn’t “decide” not to buy a house even though I don’t have one, because that just has not come up as an opportunity in my life.

 

[YoungTradCath]

I can’t agree that this is even possible, much less desirable. A cathedral takes in resources from the whole diocese and simply cannot be copied. There is a reason it is a cathedral. It is unique in many ways.

Our cathedral is not particularly exceptional. It is small and was built in a rather un-Catholic part of the country. But consistently, week to week, day to day, the liturgy is excellent. It is nothing exceptionally difficult to just do things well.

 

[Cat]

I’m as aware as you are what Calvary would have been like. The solemn reverence is our expression of respect and our contemplation on the extreme suffering of our Lord at His brutal execution. I’m not sure that John would have been clapping and singing joyfully as he knelt at the foot of the cross while our Lord gave up his life in agony for us. Solemnity and reverence should prevail. The Mass is a repeat of the sacrifice at Calvary, it is not a reenactment of Pentecost.

The Mass is also the time when believers welcome Jesus, Truly Present Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, not only into our physical building, but into our actual bodies. Jesus is there!

We are actually experiencing “heaven on earth” during the Mass!

This is cause for great joy and celebration! Christ in us, the Hope of Glory! How can you help not singing with exuberance and enthusiasm, no matter what the style of music? The Psalm says, “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord!” Many of the Psalms describe singing and praising God with our whole being, our hands, our bodies, our mouths, and our countenance.

I hope you will consider doing a study of the words “solemn” and “reverent.” These words are not synonymous with “silence” or “stillness.” Silence or “quietness” is not a requirement for solemnity and reverence to occur. People can be solemn and reverent while singing loud and joyful songs. Many of the most joyous hymns are very solemn.

I agree with you that ideally, there should be several times of silence during the Mass when we can contemplate the Lord Jesus in the silence of our hearts and hear His Voice clearly, without any background human noise (other than the usual babies and toddlers!).

But to imply in such rigid language that joyous singing of modern styles of music has no place in the Mass is simply not correct. It’s not what the Church teaches. You quoted the Sacrosanctum Concilium that says, “Other instruments may be admitted for use in the divine worship with the knowledge and consent of the competent territorial authority.”

I would suggest that you stop trying to find a reason to read into this your own opinion against instruments that you do not personally like. It says what it says, and it’s very straightforward and easy to understand. Your bishop has the authority from the Lord Jesus and His Church to determine which instruments are allowed in the Masses in his diocese. That’s the way it is.

Even if you don’t like certain instruments or styles of music, it does your soul no good, it breeds bitterness and rancor in your heart, and it hurts and divides the Church when you use hyperbolic and derisive language (e.g., happy clappy) and when you accuse others of being irreverent simply because they appreciate a style of music that is not your personal preference.

I personally am rather concerned when I see you condemn “praising the Lord” in the Mass. That’s pretty hard. How can we help but praise the Lord for all that He has done and is doing for us? And what better place or time to praise Him than the Holy Mass?

 

[pnewton]

Our cathedral is not particularly exceptional. It is small and was built in a rather un-Catholic part of the country. But consistently, week to week, day to day, the liturgy is excellent. It is nothing exceptionally difficult to just do things well.

Then that may be the exception. Here, the cathedral gets the best organ, choir, and cantors, each member is good enough to be a cantor in his own parish. The times I have had a chance to go other downtown cathedrals, I have noticed the same thing. It is a “place of pride” for the Church. No, it is not difficult to do things well, but then not everyone agrees on what it means to do things well, and we are back full circle.

 

[Cat]

Well, no, a lack of decision is not a decision.

I didn’t “decide” not to buy a house even though I don’t have one, because that just has not come up as an opportunity in my life.

Don’t you trust your bishop? Do you think he’s “not on top of things?” Do you think he has no clue about what’s happening in the parishes entrusted to him?

And do you know for a fact that there is a “lack of decision?”

You are young. You cannot possibly know all that has transpired over the last 50 years or so in your diocese.

At some point in time, probably several decades ago, a parish priest in your diocese asked your bishop if they could use a piano or guitar instead of an organ in their Masses, probably because there was no one in the parish who could play the organ, and the parish was having trouble singing without accompaniment, and the people did not have the ability to learn and sing chant a Capella.

The bishop considered their request and agreed that they could use piano and guitar. He has the authority to do this.

During one of the meetings, either official or social, that the bishop held with his priests, he probably reiterated his decision and made it clear that these instruments could be used in the Mass.

He probably didn’t write out a “decree” that spelled out his “official decision”.

If you had access to the minutes of all the meetings your bishop (or his predecessors) has held over the decades), you would probably find a short discussion about instruments in the Mass other than the organ, and your bishop’s decision.

So it’s probably in writing somewhere, although not necessarily. It’s entirely possible that your bishop made his decision about instruments and simply informed each priest over the telephone during individual conversations. I’m guessing that at some point, he probably did make a more formal announcement so that there wouldn’t be gossip among the priests, and so that they would know that it’s OK that Father So-and-So at the St. So-and-So Church DOES have my permission to use guitars or pianos in the Mass, and so do all the rest of you."

I’m guessing that if you and Brendan 64 and any other person were to make an appointment with your bishop and ask point-blank, “Is it OK for our parishes to use instruments other than the organ during the Mass?” he would probably say, “Of course. Why did you think it wasn’t OK?” although, out of charity, he might not ask that question.

And if you persisted and said, “Is there an Official Decision from you that I can read?” I can’t even imagine what he would say. Frankly, I think it would be an embarrassing discussion.

 

[pnewton]

The Mass is a repeat of the sacrifice at Calvary, it is not a reenactment of Pentecost.

The Mass is not a repeat of Calvary. Even the consecration of the Eucharist (only part of the Mass) is not a repeat of Calvary. Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice once for all. This sacrifice will never be repeated. It is a representation of this sacrifice. We are joined through time with it, but we are not at the foot of the cross. We are also joined with the saints above in the marriage feast of the Lamb. It is serious, deadly serious, but it doesn’t have to be sad to be reverent. I speak of the Eucharistic liturgy. The Mass is more than just the Eucharist, part of which are more appropriate to joy than sadness.

 

[Cat]

The Mass is not a repeat of Calvary. Even the consecration of the Eucharist (only part of the Mass) is not a repeat of Calvary. Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice once for all. This sacrifice will never be repeated. It is a representation of this sacrifice. We are joined through time with it, but we are not at the foot of the cross. We are also joined with the saints above in the marriage feast of the Lamb. It is serious, deadly serious, but it doesn’t have to be sad to be reverent. I speak of the Eucharistic liturgy. The Mass is more than just the Eucharist, part of which are more appropriate to joy than sadness.

Wow, what a great post! Thanks for reminding us of the truths of the Mass.