Liturgical Music, Liturgy Kathy Kuczka Liturgical Music, Liturgy Kathy Kuczka

Liturgical Music

Walk or jog any track and you are likely to see people with earbuds or In-ear headphones. While some may be catching up on the latest podcast, the majority are listening to music.

Walk or jog any track and you are likely to see people with earbuds or In-ear headphones. While some may be catching up on the latest podcast, the majority are listening to music.

Music motivates people to move and helps to focus attention. The rhythms and the pulse of the beats helps people to keep a certain pace which is vital to effective exercise. Music and action have long been partners in exercise, dance, and liturgy.

In the liturgy, hymns and songs may highlight the Scripture readings, add to the solemnity of the liturgy, and foster a unity among the assembly. The Second Vatican Council document the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy calls the musical tradition of the universal Church a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art” (112). Noting the “preeminence” of music, the document goes on to say that “as sacred song closely bound to the text, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy.” Music, then, isn’t merely a nice extra in the liturgy; it is intrinsic to the liturgy.

Music is wedded to the action of the liturgy. The Entrance Song, for example, is meant “to open the celebration, foster the unity of those who have been gathered, introduce their thoughts to the mystery of the liturgical time or festivity, and accompany the procession of the Priest and ministers.” General Instruction of the Roman Missal. 47

The purpose of the song during the procession to the Eucharistic table is “to express the spiritual union of the communicants by means of the unity of their voices, to show gladness of heart, and to bring out more clearly the ‘communitarian’ character of the procession to receive the Eucharist.” General Instruction of the Roman Missal. 86

These processional songs remind us that we are pilgrims who journey from God, with God and toward God. As we journey, our common song unites our hearts and our voices in love. St. Augustine explained that singing is for lovers. It’s what people in love do! Who among us in the throes of falling in love hasn’t wandered about singing or whistling a tune? God is in love with us! We are in love with God! Words are not enough to express our feelings! We must sing!

But singing takes courage—ask any cantor! Singing involves risk and vulnerability. Yet this is exactly what is asked of each of us when we celebrate liturgy—to be open, vulnerable and willing to go beyond our comfort zones.

When I ask people to join the choir, I usually get the same stock answer, “I can’t sing.” Everyone can sing, at different levels perhaps, but EVERYONE CAN SING! The liturgy gives people a chance to return to God the voice they have been given. As you sing at the next liturgy, allow the music to move your heart in love and in song, returning your gift to God.

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How Many Verses???

When rehearsing songs for a liturgy, it is not uncommon for musicians to ask, “How many verses are we doing?” The short answer is, “It depends.” Longer answers to this question are given in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. 

When rehearsing songs for a liturgy, it is not uncommon for musicians to ask, “How many verses are we doing?” The short answer is, “It depends.” Longer answers to this question are given in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal.  Here are several examples:

Music during the gathering:
When the people are gathered, and as the Priest enters with the Deacon and ministers, the Entrance Chant begins. Its purpose is to open the celebration, foster the unity of those who have been gathered, introduce their thoughts to the mystery of the liturgical time or festivity, and accompany the procession of the Priest and ministers. GIRM#47

Music during the procession with and preparation of the bread and wine:
The procession bringing the gifts is accompanied by the Offertory Chant which continues at least until the gifts have been placed on the altar. Singing may always accompany the rite at the Offertory, even when there is no procession with the gifts. GIRM#74

Music during communion:
While the Priest is receiving the Sacrament, the Communion Chant is begun, its purpose being to express the spiritual union of the communicants by means of the unity of their voices, to show gladness of heart, and to bring out more clearly the “communitarian” character of the procession to receive the Eucharist. The singing is prolonged for as long as the Sacrament is being administered to the faithful. GIRM#86


As we can see, singing during the liturgy serves several purposes: to accompany the ritual actions taking place, to unite the members of the assembly and to help them to pray.  So the length of a song will depend on the length of a particular procession.  The number of verses sung will depend on how many verses it takes to adequately gather the praying community. In this way, music serves the liturgy, not the other way around.  The liturgical action is primary.  Music sustains the flow of the prayers and the rituals of the liturgy.  Done well, this creates a liturgy that is a seamless garment of praise.
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