If we recalled back on November 24, 2019, Bishop Ryan Jimenez approved two guidelines for the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa – Guidelines for the Celebration of Matrimony and the Diocesan Guidelines on Music in the Liturgy for our Diocese. For the last three weeks, we focused on the highlights of the Matrimony Guidelines.
This week, we shift our focus to the second document – the Diocesan Guidelines on Music in the Liturgy. Again, we are reminded that these guidelines are to assist our clergy and other individuals who are involved in the planning of Liturgical Celebrations in our parishes and to encourage uniformity in our celebrations.
Music plays an important role and is a significant component of Christian worship for it is through our Liturgy that we celebrate, express and nourish our Christian identity and faith – and music is one of the ways we express WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE BELIEVE. Because of this, it is very important that our celebration is celebrated properly and meaningfully. Furthermore, these guidelines for music in the liturgy are set: (1) in order that the faithful may be helped to participate in sound and meaningful celebrations of liturgy; and (2) to guide ministers of music in the liturgy in the proper and effective exercise of their ministry.
When we speak of Music in the Liturgy, we should consider the following:
- There is a need to distinguish between sacred music and secular music. Sacred music is created for the worship of God, provided with a certain holy sincerity of form, whereas secular music is created for the world such as romance, movies, radio, etc.
- Within the circle of sacred music, there is a particular kind of music that can be used in the Church’s liturgical celebrations. It is called Liturgical Music and it is the only music that properly belongs to the liturgy.
- Music in the liturgy should serve and never dominate or overpower the other parts of the liturgy.
- Progressive Solemnity – In planning for a liturgy for whatever occasion, it is very important to determine the amount of singing based on the degree of solemnity. Although all liturgies are important, there is still a hierarchy or varying degrees of importance. For example, a Sunday Mass is of greater importance than that of a Weekday Mass or a solemnity or feast of the Lord is of greater importance than that of a feast of a saint.
As ministers of music in our Diocese, we must always remember that music used in the liturgy must and should be planned ahead of time. In choosing what songs to sing in the liturgy, individuals involved in the planning of the celebrations should take the following into consideration:
- Spirit of the celebration – the general atmosphere or tone of the celebration. The spirit of the celebration is based on the theme of the celebration as well as the liturgical season.
- Nature of each individual parts of the celebration. Music used in the liturgy should correspond to the nature and meaning of the individual parts – appropriateness. Each part has its proper function in the liturgy and since music is an essential element of the celebration, it should also follow the function, nature and meaning of each part.
- Participation of the community. Since the role of music in the liturgy is for the participation of the people, the choice of music should also consider if the people have the capacity to comprehend and join in it.
Next week we will share more in detailed how music plays an important part in the Eucharistic Celebration. Thank you and may God bless us all.