Whistler's Mother

[fivegoldenrings]

Hello, All!
My thirteen-year old, altar-serving, son enjoys our joyful, youth-oriented local church. He does not like to sing, but he loves to whistle. (I have to admit that he whistles better than many people sing. On-key, of course.) In lieu of singing the entrance and exiting songs, he wishes to whistle the tune instead. I told him to ask our pastor, as I think he will find it funny.
We checked out a Catholic encyclopedia website, and it didn’t really address whistling of the music.

We are friends with a priest who lives with our bishop. Our son wants to go all the way to the top with this.

Anyone familiar with this issue?

In Christ,
Whistler’s Mother

 

[solayan]

Hi,

I remember a parish I attended once where a member of the choir would whistle (sometimes the melody, sometimes a descant) to all of the hymns. Apparently he had placed in a world whistling competition and was indeed very good. Nevertheless I found it distracting.

I’m not sure if there’s anything in an official document regarding whistling in church though.

 

[LilyM]

Whistling, as good as it can be when done properly (just thinking of the song ‘Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay’ here) is not exactly a dignified way of making music. My mother used to tell me off for whistling for that reason.

While not strictly forbidden (but then neither are slide whistles or burping to the tune of the hymns) I would say it’s not appropriate for Mass.

 

[jmdsc]

I was taught that a hymn is a prayer and that choosing not to sing, would be choosing not to pray.

I don’t think God cares what your voice sounds like (He made it after all) just as long as you pray!

 

[sodak]

We had a priest who used to tell us that if God gave you a good voice, you should show your gratitude by using it in Mass. If God didn’t give you a good voice, this is your chance to get even!!!

 

[LilyM]

I was taught that a hymn is a prayer and that choosing not to sing, would be choosing not to pray.

I don’t think God cares what your voice sounds like (He made it after all) just as long as you pray!

I sing - but very softly - and think about the words I’m singing. I don’t think volume matters to Our Lord.

 

[fivegoldenrings]

Hello, All!
I’d like to thank each of you for your responses. Interesting, inspiring–and funny! Thanks!

In Christ,
fivegoldenrings

 

[Cantaloupe]

I think it is ok to whistle, singing and music is a way of worship and if he doesn’t like to use his voice as in forming words to a song, then whistling should be good…I mean it is kind of like humming…if he is doing it to worship God I don’t see where there would be a problem with it…I bet God likes that…at least he is using his voice in some way right?

 

[Sam_Maloney]

Oh, please please discourage him from this-- it will be like a spike through the head of anyone with a hearing aid.

It’s great that he loves to express himself through whistleing, but that doesn’t mean its OK for Mass-- think liturgical dance. It’s a form of self expression, too, and can be worshipful for both dancer and onlookers, if done well.

But it doesn’t belong at Mass. Because no matter how reverant he intends it to be, it will be a seem like an overly casual, attention seeking behavior to others in the congregation.