choir and the liturgy of the mass - METAMORPHOSE (Ephesians 511)

APRIL 2011/OCTOBER 2012/JULY/NOVEMBER 2013
The Choir at Holy Mass "Not to oppose error is to approve it, and not to defend the truth is to
suppress it" - Pope St. Felix III Note: In this report I may occasionally use bold print, Italics, or word
underlining for emphasis. This will be my personal emphasis and not that of
the source that I am quoting. Any footnote preceded by a number in
(parenthesis) is my personal library numbering system. Q:
What is the true role of the choir at Mass? The better the choir, the less
the participation of the congregation, it seems to be*. Michael Prabhu,
Chennai, India *SEE ALSO PAGES 26 FF. A:
"Choir: A body of singers entrusted with the musical parts of the Church
service, and organized and instructed for that purpose."[1]
"The Christian faithful who gather together as one to await the Lord's
coming are instructed by Apostle Paul to sing together psalms, hymns, and
spiritual songs. Singing is the sign of the heart's joy. Thus St. Augustine
says rightly, 'Singing is for one who loves'. There is also the ancient
proverb: 'One who sings well prays twice'. Great importance should
therefore be attached to the use of singing in the celebration of Mass,
with due consideration for the culture of the people and abilities of each
liturgical assembly."[2]
"The congregation and the choir should have a place that facilitates their
active participation."[3]
"In relation to the design of each Church the schola cantorum should be so
placed that its character as a part of the assembly of the faithful that
has a special function stands out clearly. The location should also assist
the choir's liturgical ministry and readily allow each member complete,
that is, sacramental participation in the Mass."[4]
"The norms laid down in their proper places are to be observed for the
choice of chants between the readings and the songs for the processions at
the entrance, presentation of the gifts, and communion."[5] "There are thus
four options for the entrance song: (1) the entrance antiphon and psalm of
the Roman Gradual; (2) the entrance antiphon and psalm of the Simple
Gradual; (3) song from other collections of psalms and antiphons; (4) other
sacred song chosen in accord with the above criterion. The same options
exist for the sacred song at the offertory and Communion, but not for the
chants between readings."[6] "During Lent the alleluia is not sung with the
verse before the Gospel. If the psalm after the reading is not sung, it is
recited. The people stand for the singing of the alleluia before the
Gospel."[7]
"The proper function of the offertory song is rather to accompany and
celebrate the communal aspects of the procession. The text, therefore, may
be appropriate song of praise or rejoicing in keeping with the season.
Those texts are not acceptable that speak of the offering completely apart
from the action of Christ."[8]
"The choice of texts for the Communion song is governed by the same rule as
the entrance song. The communion song should foster a sense of unity."[9]
"The singing at the entrance is done either alternately by the choir and
the people or in a similar way by the cantor and the people, or entirely by
the people, or by the choir alone."[10]
"After the Act of Penitence, the Kyrie is always begun, unless it has
already been included as part of the Act of Penitence. It is ordinarily
done by all, that is, by the people and the choir or cantor having a part
in it."[11] "The Gloria is intoned by the priest or, if appropriate, by a
cantor or by the choir; but it is sung by everyone together, or by the
people alternately with the choir, or by the choir alone."[12]
"If it (the Creed) is sung, it is begun by the priest or, if this is
appropriate, by a cantor or by the choir. It is sung, however, either by
all together or by the people alternating with the choir."[13]
During the breaking of the bread "the supplication Agnus Dei is, as a rule,
sung by the choir or cantor with the congregation responding to it."[14]
"Among the faithful, the choir exercises its own liturgical function,
ensuring that parts proper to it, in keeping with the different types of
chants, are properly carried out and fostering active participation of the
faithful through the singing."[15] Remember that there can be slight variations on rubrics in The Sacramentary
from country-to-country. I would recommend that you have a cleric in your
own country review this report to check for any variations. I do not have
access to The Sacramentary used in India. If I can be of further
assistance, please ask. This report prepared on January 12, 2011 by Ronald Smith, 11701 Maplewood
Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024-8482, E-mail: .
Readers may copy and distribute this report as desired to anyone as long as
the content is not altered and it is copied in its entirety. In this little
ministry I do free Catholic and occult related research and answer your
questions. Questions are answered in this format with detailed footnotes on
all quotes. If you have a question(s), please submit it to this landmail or
e-mail address. Answers are usually forthcoming within one week. PLEASE
NOTIFY ME OF ANY ERRORS THAT YOU MAY OBSERVE! "EUCHARISTIC AMAZEMENT"
PASTORAL LETTER 2007-2008 TO ALL THE CATHOLICS OF KUWAIT
FROM BISHOP CAMILLO BALLIN, MCCJ, VICAR APOSTOLIC OF KUWAIT EXTRACT
IV. Music in the Eucharistic celebration
We take active part in the celebration also by means of singing. Music is
one of the important means used by the Church in order to celebrate her
faith. So the sacred hymns form a necessary and integral part of the
Liturgy. St. Augustine affirms that a Christian who sings well prays twice.
Music conveys a feeling of unity to the congregation, and - if the songs
are properly chosen - it introduces the faithful into the right spirit of
the particular feast that is celebrated. Music possesses a rich variety of
forms and expressions, and many of these are introduced in the liturgy to
enrich the celebration. I give here the list of them:
a) There are two processional songs: the first at the entrance, the second
at the time of the Holy Communion. They are called "processional" because
they are sung when the priest, ministers of the Eucharist, lectors and
servants enter in a processional way to the church or when the faithful
move to receive the body of the Lord. The entrance song is meant to create
an atmosphere of "celebration and worship" in the assembly. We come to the
church and our hearts are heavy with the problems that we face. The
entrance song should help us to leave for a moment our difficulties in
order to be able to hear attentively the Word of God and to celebrate the
Eucharist with a personal participation. The communion song fosters a sense
of unity among us who are aware of becoming "the Body of Christ" when we
are nourished with his body.
b) The responsorial Psalm is like the answer given to God by us after the
reading of his Word and his message.
c) The acclamation and the ordinary chants introduce the music throughout
the whole Rite of the Mass. They are: Lord have mercy, Glory to God, Amen
at the end of the Eucharistic prayer, the Lord's Prayer, the "Lamb of God".
d) The Offertory Song may accompany the offering of the gifts.
Well trained choirs add beauty, solemnity and joy to the liturgy and also
assist and encourage the singing of the congregation. They must be more
promoted in our three churches and must be trained by frequent "choir
practice" of the members.
Our choirs must know that their purpose is not to execute difficult songs
but only to help the congregation to sing. I noticed in the Cathedral that
many times some our choirs sing more like in a "concerto", for themselves.
In this way they reduce the participation of the faithful to a mere passive
listening of their songs.
Yours in Jesus Christ
+ Camillo Ballin, mccj
Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait askbishop@gmail.com website:
www.vicariatekuwait.or
14 September 2007, Feast of the Triumph of the Cross THE GENERAL INSTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL (G.I.R.M.)
The Place for the Choir and the Musical Instruments
312. The choir should be positioned with respect to the design of each
church so as to make clearly evident its character as a part of the
gathered community of the faithful fulfilling a specific function. The
location should also assist the choir to exercise its function more easily
and conveniently allow each choir member full, sacramental participation in
the Mass.
313. The organ and other lawfully approved musical instruments are to be
placed in an appropriate place so that they can sustain the singing of both
the choir and the congregation and be heard with ease by all if they are
played alone. It is appropriate that, before being put into liturgical use,
the organ be blessed according to the rite described in the Roman
Ritual.124 Location of the Choir during Mass
Catholics United For the Faith - Faith Facts - The Answers You Need
December 10, 2005
http://www.cuf.org/faithfacts/details_view.asp?ffID=246
Issue: What is the proper location of the choir during the Mass?
Response: The choir should be placed where it is part of the assembly,
where it allows each member to fully participate in the Mass, and where it
has the ability to be heard.
The Vatican II Instruction on Implementing the Constitution on Sacred
Liturgy (Inter Oecumenici) states: "The choir and organ shall occupy a
place clearly showing that the singers and the organist form part of the
united community of the faithful and allowing them best to fulfill their
part in the liturgy" (no. 97).
Discussion: The choir aids the community in prayer and worship. It helps
focus the community's attention on the liturgical action taking place at
the ambo, the altar, and the chair.
In accordance with Inter Oecumenici, the General Instruction to the Roman
Missal states that the position of the choir should show that it is part of
the