Dear Catholic Exchange:
What are the guidelines for music during Mass? It seems that some hymns in our current hymnals (Glory & Praise) are mere feel good songs. Since I am responsible for choosing my parish’s music, could you give me some suggestions?
Thank you,
Suzzanne Brakefield
Dear Ms. Brakefield,
Peace in Christ! We at Catholics United for the Faith were pleased to receive your question from the Catholic Exchange. You inquired about the Church’s guidelines for liturgical music, as well as for recommendations for music to use in your parish.
The Church provides only general guidelines regarding sacred music, having issued several documents which describe the norms and principles involved in sacred music.
The most recent papal document on sacred music is Pope John Paul II’s Chirograph for the Centenary of the Motu Proprio “Tra le Sollecitudini” on Sacred Music. Prior to that was Musicae Sacrae, issued by Pope Pius XII on Christmas Day, 1955. Popes John XXIII through John Paul I issued no writings on sacred music.
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium) from Vatican II devoted its sixth chapter (nos. 112-121) to sacred music. The Sacred Congregation of Rites (now the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments) issued Musicam Sacram following Vatican II on March 5, 1967.
On-line versions of all of these texts are available via the Internet at the links provided. The two latter documents can be found in Vatican Council II, Vol. I: Conciliar and Postconciliar Documents, edited by Austin Flannery, O.P., published by Costello Publishing, Co. This edition can be found in most Catholic bookstores or can be ordered from Benedictus Books at 1-888-316-2640.
One reason, possibly, that there are so few documents on music in the liturgy is because the universal principles set forth in these documents remain valid over time. Even in terms of what the Church calls “inculturation,” the general principles apply. The instruction Inculturation and the Roman Liturgy, issued in 1994 by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments states:
“Music and singing, which express the soul of people, have pride of place in the liturgy. And so singing must be promoted, in the first place singing the liturgical text, so that the voices of the faithful may be heard in the liturgical actions themselves. ‘In some parts of the world, especially mission lands, there are people who have their own musical traditions, and these play a great part in their religious and social life. Due importance is to be attached to their music and a suitable place given to it, not only in forming their attitude toward religion, but also in adapting worship to their native genius.’” (no. 40; footnotes omitted).
Notice the equal emphasis being given to the liturgical texts and actions on one hand and the native genius of peoples on the other. Aspects of “native genius” cannot be put into documents written for the universal Church, but must be governed locally. When engaging in inculturation locally, universal principles must be observed and the Church has seen no need, evidently, to update in that area. For more information on the Liturgy in general, you may want to read The Spirit of the Liturgy by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Ignatius Press, 2000).
Regarding recommended sources of Liturgical music, we contacted the president of the Church Music Association of America, Fr. Robert Skeris, who recommended the Adoremus hymnal from Ignatius Press. We reviewed its contents and found it to be an excellent source of traditional and orthodox hymns. This hymnal is available on-line, or you may wish to speak with a customer service representative at Ignatius Press (1-877-320-9276) about how to purchase copies. Your parish may want to consider other options as well, depending on its resources, such as collecting hymns and printing its own hymnal.
United in the Faith,
Kathleen Rohan
Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
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