Music in the Mass...obviously a hot button

Wow...I was quite overwhelmed by the responses to the music blog entry. Unfortunately, I've been so busy at seminary that I just read them. I was surprised by the range of comments. I'd like to respond to a couple of these comments. I by NO means am criticizing anyone in my responses. I AM pointing out some of the definitive beliefs of the Catholic Church regarding sacred music, especially in the Second Vatican Council Instruction of Sacred Music titled, Musicam Sacrum, but I am NOT attacking anyone's comments, opinions or beliefs.

In one of the comments responding to my blog entry it was said, "The assumption that you make is that one worships best when doing something like singing, stemming from the confusion of what is meant by 'active participation'" Actually, it is not an assumption of mine, rather a statement by the Second Vatican Council who, in ¶ 16 of Musicam Sacrum, stated:

"One cannot find anything more religious and more joyful in sacred celebrations than a whole congregation expressing its faith and devotion in song. Therefore the active participation of the whole people, which is shown in singing, is to be carefully promoted..."

That seems to be pretty definitive to me that a) one DOES actually worship best when singing and b) active participation of the whole people IS shown by singing.

Sacred music has the purpose of more deeply involving the faithful in worshipping God. St. Augustine said, "To sing is to pray twice." Music in the Mass MUST draw in the people and not exclude them, which often means adhering to the needs of the people such as familiar music. ¶ 9 of Musicam Sacrum agrees stating:

"...the capacities of those who are to sing the music must be taken into account. No kind of sacred music is prohibited from liturgical actions by the Church as long as it corresponds to the spirit of the liturgical celebration itself and the nature of its individual parts, and does not hinder the active participation of the people."

That having been said, I DO agree that catechesis is vitally important in helping the faithful to actively participate in the music. This includes the introduction of new music to the congregation. Again, the Second Vatican Council agrees with this in saying:

"Through suitable instruction and practices, the people should be gradually led to a fuller—indeed, to a complete—participation in those parts of the singing which pertain to them" (¶ 16a, Musicam Sacrum).

The faithful must be introduced to new music periodically so as to expand their ability to grow in their worship of God. The use of a choir to achieve this can be very beneficial. Because a choir practices often (I hope!), they are able to introduce new songs that the congregation can listen to and gradually begin to sing themselves as they hear it sung repeatedly by the choir. However, introducing a new song every week will not accomplish this. Of course, adding a new song once every three years doesn't promote this either.

Another of the comments, by a wonderful mother of a close friend of mine, made an excellent point regarding the proper role of the faithful. I think this closely mirrors the sentiment of the person whose comments I quoted above regarding some self-centeredness of the faithful. My friend's mother pointed out that, after a children's choir performed a handbell piece in the Mass, the congregation gave a standing ovation. In this case, the music became a concert NOT because of the musicians but because of the people's improper response to the music.

It seems, in my opinion and in the beliefs of the Second Vatican Council, that music is to lift up the people to a greater level of worship of God. This is usually done through active participation of the faithful, but is also done through catechesis, some variety and the use of a choir to add an extra and unique element to the Mass. Ultimately, the Second Vatican Council said it best when it stated that the true purpose of sacred music is for "the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful" (¶ 4, Musicam Sacrum). Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 11:56 | link | comments |
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