Letter: Loud music at Communion

It is becoming increasingly difficult these days to contemplate the significance of the Holy Eucharist during Mass because of loud music during Communion.

This is not to disparage the invaluable contribution of the choir but rather to suggest improvements so that the experience of the Mass for the congregants can be further enhanced.

Though the Mass is a thanksgiving ceremony, joyous and celebratory in nature, there should not be an over-exuberance in music so as to eclipse the contemplative component, which is equally important.

Ideally, the music during Communion should be sufficiently toned down to provide a tranquil ambience to facilitate contemplation on the real presence of Christ.

With very few congregants participating in the hymn and the vast majority with heads bowed and eyes closed, I can only surmise that many are struggling to shut out the distracting music to treasure a poignant moment of union with our Lord.

There is a profound moment during the consecration of the sacred host when the silence is almost deafening as the congregation is fully absorbed in reverential worship.

The sacred space after receiving Communion is, in my opinion, equally deserving of silence and should be preserved from the intrusion of loud music.

The constant reminders that “only Catholics are allowed to receive Holy Communion” is a pronouncement of a fundamental doctrinal difference between Catholics and Protestants.

What sets us apart from our Protestant brothers, who believe only in a “symbolic presence”, is our faith in the true bodily presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

In this Year of Faith, let us treasure our Catholic identity as believers in Christ’s sacramental presence in the Eucharist and re-evaluate the role of the music ministry in re-establishing the quiet, contemplative element of Mass.

The music ministry should complement, not compete with, the Mass. In a secular world inundated by the culture of noise, let us restore the sanctity of “Sacred Silence” to our Holy Mass.

Joseph Chng
Singapore

Comments

+7 #1 Director — David Sia Boon Sen 2013-01-22 16:00

I fully agree with Joseph's observations and views.

In fact, my wife and I were so surprised that this was allowed to go on seemingly unchecked by the priests. Loudness is made worse with funky guitar sounds in one church that we decided to go elsewhere for mass.

Quote

0 #2 Mr — John 2013-02-13 11:11

Hi Everyone. I do not agree in totality the observation by brother Joseph. I do not know which Church he attends so is unable to witness for myself the level of "loudness". I am a musician and have played for all kinds of functions. From company dinner and dance, weddings and church celebrations to pte birthdays etc. At ALL events, there will always be those who complain that it's too loud and at the other extreme, those who complain that it's too soft. So it is really really difficult to please everyone, regardless of whether one is in church or not.

To me personally, there is nothing more irritating than to have the choir's organist trying out some hymns with full volume on, just before the commencement of mass.

Happy New Year everyone!

John

Quote

+2 #3 Footnote On Music in Lent for Liturgists — Thomas Tay 2013-03-02 13:49

Because Liturgy is a "public act of worship", the General Instructions of the Roman Missal (2010, Conference of Singapore, Malaysia & Brunei) offers useful knowledge for all liturgists to study and be familiar with, even if the local priests may not enforce its practice, and there is sufficiently ambiguity in parts for appropriate discretion. I think then, choirs and ministers will create a dignified moment worthy of praise of the Trinity. The congregation is not assembled - hence the meaning of the name "church" - for a theatrical-type performance or participation in a sing-along; we address our songs and prayers to God the Father through Jesus Christ. If we are mindful that God the Father personally receives all we do at Mass through Jesus our Mediator-Priest, none of us might want to add/subtract from worthy worship that is pleasing to Him, first and foremost.

To that point, I just want to add one more point (which given the readership of this site is going to be largely ignored): the GIRM 313 also states that "in Lent the playing of the organ and musical instruments is allowed only to support the singing. Exceptions are Laetare Sunday, Solemnities and Feasts".

Will be it fair to me think I just wish my parish weekday mass organists and liturgists knew this, whether the playing was for practice or as personal act of prayer. I can't imagine anyone telling them what the GIRM says so explicitly. So, if priests do not care, it's hard for the laity to offer guidance too.

Quote

Refresh comments list
RSS feed for comments to this post