Singing the Mass

As Catholics, we do not simply sing at Mass, we sing the Mass.

The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as sacred song united to the words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy. (Sacrosanctum Concilium 112)

Music is indeed integral to the solemn Liturgy. How then do we sing the Mass and why?

‘Liturgical worship is given a more noble form when it is celebrated in song, with the ministers of each degree fulfilling their ministry and the people participating in it.” (Musicam Sacram 5).

Liturgy Essentials

To assist in learning to sing the Mass, we may divide the parts into three categories. (linked by category)

Roman Lectionary

 The readings assigned for each Mass  (Solemnities, Feasts and Ferias).

Lector

Presidential Prayers

What is Sung and When?

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) describes the importance of singing the liturgy and offers practical considerations on what should be the focus. In Article 40 the GIRM states “in the choosing of the parts [of the Mass] actually to be sung, preference is to be given to those that are of greater importance and especially to those which are to be sung by the Priest or the Deacon or a reader, with the people replying, or by the Priest and people together.”

Musicam Sacram, cited in the GIRM, provides useful instruction on dividing the parts to be sung into three degrees of priority to help “the faithful toward an ever greater participation in the singing” (cf. MS 28-31).

1. The first degree consists of the Order of Mass (the chants sung in a dialogue between the priest or the deacon and the people, as well as the Sanctus).

2. The second degree consists essentially of the Ordinary of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, and Agnus Dei).

3. The third degree consists primarily of the Proper of the Mass (the chants sung at the Entrance, Offertory, and Communion processions, and the Responsorial Psalm and Alleluia with its verse before the Gospel).

Congregation

Kyrie

Gloria

Credo

Sanctus

Doxology Amen

Agnus Dei

The Roman Tradition is a Sung Tradition.

Low Mass:  Fully spoken, with optional devotional hymns

High Mass: Sung Dialogues and Orations, Sung Mass Ordinary and Propers

On Sundays and Solemnities, the norm is at least one beautifully sung Liturgy. The Church affirms the sung Mass as normative, for it is the “fuller form of the liturgical celebration” Musicam Sacram, 7.

Mass Propers

Mass Ordinary

Tones for the Sung Readings