Controversy Continued: More on Music

Choosing music for mass is very controversial because many people look at what type of music they like rather than the type of music  the Church calls for.   If someone likes Rock Music, then they may want Contemporary Christian Rock at Mass.  My musical preference is instrumental Jazz.

Our Church has very specific criteria for choosing music at Mass.  It should not be a matter of tastes, but on what the church teaches.  Again, I would like to emphasize that when we have a question on Mass, we should always turn to the "General Instruction of the Roman Missal" (Girm).  It can be found at:

http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml

Here is what the Girm says about the Entrance song:   Girm #48. "......In the dioceses of the United States of America there are four options for the Entrance Chant: (1) the antiphon from the Roman Missal or the Psalm from the Roman Gradual as set to music there or in another musical setting; (2) the seasonal antiphon and Psalm of the Simple Gradual; (3) a song from another collection of psalms and antiphons, approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop, including psalms arranged in responsorial or metrical forms; (4) a suitable liturgical song similarly approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop."

Did you notice it did NOT say 'Opening Song' or 'Hymn', rather it refers to the Entrance Chant.  It implies that the chant is Normal.  Notice that there are 4 options for the Entrance Chant.   The first choice is the Roman Gradual.

The Roman Gradual is a book with all the Gregorian Chants for the Mass.  Every Sunday has the music already assigned.  There is no need to 'choose' music for the Mass.   We know that each Sunday has specific prayers found in the Sacramentary.  We know that each Sunday has specific readings found in the Lectionary.  However, we do not know that each Sunday has specific music found in the Roman Gradual.  Traditionally the Sunday is known by the first words of the Entrance Chant.   Example:   The Second Sunday of Easter is Quasimodo Sunday because Quasimodo is the first words of the chant.  This is how the main character of Hunchback of Notre Dame got his name.  He was found on Quasimodo Sunday.

As we saw in the previous post Gregorian Chant has pride of Place in music, and the chants are given for each mass, and it is the FIRST choice given for the entrance chant.  Yet, if you go to the normal Catholic Parish I would bet that the official chants have not been heard in 50 years.

The second choice of music for the Entrance Chant is the Simple Gradual.  This is Gregorian Chant that is very easy to sing.  The Church recognizes that volunteer choirs might not have the skill to use the Roman Gradual.

The third choice of the entrance chant is singing the Psalms.  Any Psalms approved by the bishop's conference would be good.  Christians have been singing the Psalms since its beginning.

The fourth and last choice for the Entrnace Chant is a liturgical song approved by the bishop's conference.  Here is the rub:   Our Bishop's Conference has never approved any songs.  Individual bishops have approved hymnals which are printed in their diocese.  Even though this is the last choice it has become the only source of music in most Catholic parishes.  Good and beautiful hymns are great for praising and worshipping God, and they are a legitimate option.  Hymns have become an important part of our musical tradition in the past 50 years.

This is the official teaching of how to choose music for mass.  However, it is not often done in our parishes.  I think it would be good if parishes would at least provide one mass with the music which the Church calls for at least one time each weekend, or even once a month.  The people have a right to pray as the Church asks us to pray.

Peace