On The Topic Of Active Participation

[franciscanheart]

I cannot recall how long ago it was that we discussed active participation and singing here, but I happened upon further teaching concerning this issue. See below. (Also included are some other pieces of text which concern kinds of music played in various parts of the world.)


[b]SECOND VATICAN ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, [i]MUSICAM SACRAM [/i][/b]
[b]INSTRUCTION ON MUSIC IN THE LITURGY[/b]
[quote]
15. The faithful fulfil their liturgical role by making that full, conscious and active participation which is demanded by the nature of the liturgy itself and which is, by reason of baptism, the right and duty of the Christian people.[13] This participation

(a) Should be above all internal, in the sense that by it the faithful join their mind to what they pronounce or hear, and cooperate with heavenly grace,[14]

(b) Must be, on the other hand, external also, that is, such as to show the internal participation by gestures and bodily attitudes, by the acclamations, responses and singing.[15]

The faithful should also be taught to unite themselves interiorly to what the ministers or choir sing, so that by listening to them they may raise their minds to God.

16. 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 as follows:

(a) It should first of all include acclamations, responses to the greetings of the priest and ministers and to the prayers of litany form, and also antiphons and psalms, refrains or repeated responses, hymns and canticles.[16]

(b) 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.

© Some of the people's song, however, especially if the faithful have not yet been sufficiently instructed, or if musical settings for several voices are used, can be handed over to the choir alone, provided that the people are not excluded from those parts that concern them. But the usage of entrusting to the choir alone the entire singing of the whole Proper and of the whole Ordinary, to the complete exclusion of the people's participation in the singing, is to be deprecated.
[/quote]

[b]CONSTITUTION ON THE SACRED LITURGY[/b]
[quote]114. The treasure of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care. Choirs must be diligently promoted, especially in cathedral churches; but bishops and other pastors of souls must be at pains to ensure that, whenever the sacred action is to be celebrated with song, the whole body of the faithful may be able to contribute that active participation which is rightly theirs, as laid down in Art. 28 and 30.[/quote]
[quote]119. In certain parts of the world, especially mission lands, there are peoples who have their own musical traditions, and these play a great part in their religious and social life. For this reason due importance is to be attached to their music, and a suitable place is to be given to it, not only in forming their attitude toward religion, but also in adapting worship to their native genius, as indicated in Art. 39 and 40.

Therefore, when missionaries are being given training in music, every effort should be made to see that they become competent in promoting the traditional music of these peoples, both in schools and in sacred services, as far as may be practicable.
[/quote]

[MissyP89]

In before Haugen!

[CatherineM]

So, um, no electric claronets?

[qfnol31]

Before Vatican II the priest had to repeat all sung prayers in private. When the choir sang Gloria, the priest recited Gloria. When the choir sang the Credo, the priest prayed the Credo. What eventually happened is the music got transposed over the liturgy, while the liturgy went on as normal. In some ways you ended up with two prayer services happening simultaneously, with the Mass proper taking second place.

Vatican II reversed this and made the music a central part of the Mass itself. There are many reasons why it was possible, but part of the change is recognition that we have the possibility to pray directly to God ourselves, even while a priest intercedes on our behalf. Now the music of the liturgy is in fact part of the liturgy, as is most traditional.

As an aside, this is why the priest and people used to sit at different times. If you visit an Extraordinary Form Mass the people are often confused about liturgical posture. Also, this is why they sit at Cistercian during the Kyrie and Gloria on First Fridays. It's a very strange holdover.

[BG45]

[quote name='MissyP89' timestamp='1337119177' post='2431019']
In before Haugen!
[/quote]

Blast! You beat me to Marty.

We sang "We Are Called" the other day. At first it was like "oh it's been forever since we sang this!" and then swiftly as we hit the chorus I inwardly winced as the clapping began.

[let_go_let_God]

**clapping**


**Shutters**

[LaPetiteSoeur]

If anyone wants any more information on music ministry, the USCCB has a book called: [i]Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship. [/i]For Cantors, the Liturgical Ministry Series has a [i]Guide for Cantors [/i]that I have found incredibly helpful.

[MIKolbe]

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1337121672' post='2431026']
So, um, no electric claronets?
[/quote]
only in California

[franciscanheart]

[quote name='LaPetiteSoeur' timestamp='1337198124' post='2431331']
If anyone wants any more information on music ministry, the USCCB has a book called: [i]Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship. [/i]For Cantors, the Liturgical Ministry Series has a [i]Guide for Cantors [/i]that I have found incredibly helpful.
[/quote]
What is in the USCCB book?

[LaPetiteSoeur]

[quote name='franciscanheart' timestamp='1337203437' post='2431376']
What is in the USCCB book?
[/quote]

It's basically an outline of everything. There are five main sections: Why we sing, The Church at prayer, The music of Catholic Worship, Preparing Music for Catholic worship, and the Musical structure for Catholic worship. Everything from diverse cultures/languages, judging the qualities of music for liturgy, locations of musicians/instruments, and Latin in the liturgy is discussed. I find it very helpful in determining what songs are appropriate and how music ministry should function.

Also, one very helpful thing I found was a yearly music ministry gathering held at the diocese. Music ministers would come, learn, and listen to how the Church expects music to be at Mass.

[Lisa]

LPS: That sounds like something every diocese should have!

And thanks for the documents, franciscanheart. I love to sing for Jesus, even though others might prefer I sing "so-lo"-- "so low you can't hear it," as my dad would say!

Edited May 16, 2012 by Lisa

[BG45]

[quote name='let_go_let_God' timestamp='1337196097' post='2431321']
**clapping**


**Shutters**
[/quote]

Yeah...bonus points for moms making their little kids clap. "We are called to love with kindness" *clap clap* "We are called to love tenderly" *clap clap* "We are called to love one another" *clap clap* "and walk humbly with God."

[MissScripture]

[quote name='BG45' timestamp='1337208827' post='2431423']
Yeah...bonus points for moms making their little kids clap. "We are called to love with kindness" *clap clap* "We are called to love tenderly" *clap clap* "We are called to love one another" *clap clap* "and walk humbly with God."
[/quote]
I have NEVER had to put up with that song AND clapping at the same time! You have my sympathy!

[BG45]

Thanks haha. I just kind of assumed it was done that way everywhere it was sung. My parish at home uses very little of Haugen's works, so I've only heard the song up here!

[sixpence]

when i was younger i remember all the moms getting all excited and clapping the beat when they sang that song that goes "Let us build a city of God, let our tears be turned into dancing, for the Lord, our life and our God has turned the night into day etc" I do like that song though