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THREE CONSIDERATIONS FOR LITURGICAL MUSIC

In preparing music for the liturgy, there are three essential qualities of liturgical music to consider: holiness, goodness of form, and universality. (Chirograph of John Paul II on Sacred Music, §4-6)

• Holiness: the music should have a clear transcendent dimension, setting in focus the sacred text of the Mass rather than itself. Inspired through prayer, it should lead others to prayer and adoration. While there is much room for variety of melody, harmony, and rhythm, music for the Mass should communicate reverence, and be free of secular associations or other distractions from worship.

• Goodness of form: the music needs to be beautiful regardless of its simplicity or complexity. It is not enough for music to be exciting or entertaining; it must have those elements which raise the heart and mind to God through their clarity, gracefulness, and harmony.

• Universality: although the music will reflect the culture in which it exists, it should nevertheless by its nature be edifying to those from other cultures as well. Liturgical music should communicate the beautiful unity of tradition between the past and present; it should help worshipers to sense and understand their connection to the faithful of all times and places. Furthermore, universality implies that music for the congregation should be singable, fostering exterior participation. Likewise, music sung exclusively by the cantor or choir should prayerfully engage the hearts and minds of the listeners, fostering interior participation.

THE RESPONSORIAL PSALM

“Because (the Responsorial Psalm) is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word, and is in effect a reading from Scripture, it has great liturgical and pastoral significance.” Furthermore, the Book of Psalms was composed as a collection of sung prayers; this ancient musical tradition was immediately assumed into the Christian liturgy.

While there is some leeway with the selection of psalms, it is highly recommended that the psalm used be the one assigned in the lectionary, as it relates more closely to the first reading than any other option. Since we are responding in song to the preceding reading, the setting should be conducive to meditation, allowing the Word of God to take root in our hearts through the action of the Holy Spirit.