IN THIS LESSON
Let's begin to understand what the liturgical documents say about music. This is the lengthiest part of the course... take time with it and digest it slowly!
Key Points
Sacrosanctum Concilium (1963)
14. full, active [and conscious] participation by all the people is the aim to be considered before all else.
26. Liturgical services are not private functions but are celebrations of the Church, which is the “sacrament of unity”.
83. Christ Jesus, high priest... joins the entire community of mankind to Himself, associating it with His own singing of this canticle of divine praise.
112. The musical tradition of the Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art.
114. The treasure of sacred music is to be preserved and fostered with great care.
Throughout: Latin is the language of the church; the organ is her preferred instrument to accompany, sacred choirs must be promoted, and Gregorian Chant is specially suited to the liturgy and is given the pride of place.
116. Other kinds of sacred music, especially polyphony, are by no means excluded from liturgical celebrations so long as they accord with the spirit of the liturgical action.
118. Religious singing by the people is to be intelligently fostered so that in devotions and sacred exercises, as also during liturgical services, the voices of the faithful may ring out.
Musicam Sacram (1967)
4. The true purpose of music is the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful.
5. ... profoundly achieved by the union of voices, minds are more easily raised to heavenly things by the beauty of the sacred rites... prefigures that heavenly liturgy which is enacted in the holy city of Jerusalem.
16. One cannot find anything more religious and more joyful in sacred celebrations than a whole congregation expressing its faith and devotion in song.
29. Three degrees of singing:
1st: Entrance rites, greeting of the priest, acclamations at the Gospel, Eucharistic prayer over offerings,preface, Sanctus, doxology of the Canon, Lord’s prayer, Pax Domini, prayer after communion, dismissal
2nd: Kyrie, Gloria, Agnus Dei, Creed, Prayer of the Faithful
3rd: Songs at processions, Offertory music, Alleluia before the Gospel, readings of scripture