Vatican II at 50: Musical Liturgy

We call ourselves the United States but, as the last election showed, we are anything but united.   Even the Catholic vote was split.  Indeed, Catholics are a diverse group of people who come from different backgrounds, who have different political beliefs and who speak different languages.  But one language we can all speak is the language of music.

 Since the Second Vatican Council, music has evolved perhaps more than any other element in the liturgy.   Before the Council, liturgical music existed in the form of Gregorian chant.  The choir sang the parts of the Mass for the people and music was seen as an end unto itself.   The Council looked at music in a whole different light.  Music was  now to be seen as integral to the liturgy.  Music should serve the rituals taking place at Mass  and encourage the people’s participation:

 “Therefore sacred music will be the more holy the more closely it is joined to the liturgical rite.”… “A liturgical service takes on a nobler aspect when the rites are celebrated with singing.” Liturgical Constitution #112 & #113

The Council maintained pride of place for Gregorian chant but also allowed for other types of music.  As a result, Gregorian chant gave way to guitars, Palestrina gave way to percussion and a new era of liturgical music was born.  Now, there are so many different styles of music and so much music being composed that music leaders can scarcely keep up.

Music leaders are not only responsible for choosing singable melodies, but also for selecting appropriate texts:

“The texts intended to be sung must always be consistent with Catholic teaching; indeed they should be drawn chiefly from holy Scripture and from liturgical sources.”

Liturgical Constitution #121

 As a result,  much of our theology now comes from the songs we sing during Mass and many of us are now more familiar with Scripture, especially the psalms.    Singing is praying.  If we sing with all our heart, we will enter more deeply into the mystery of God and only then can we truly call ourselves united!