Tag Archives: hymns

QUAERITUR: Is it okay for people to listen to music rather than always to sing everything during Mass?

Posted on 29 November 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a priest:
Is it against the mind of the Church when a choir alone sings a hymn at the offertory and preparation of the gifts or are the people supposed to sing along as well?
No, it is not against the … Continue reading →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, De Novissimis: Four Last Things | Tagged active participation, antiphons, Graduale Romanum, hymns, Novus Ordo, Ordinary Form, Usus Recentior | 64 Comments

QUAERITUR: Hymns at Low Mass (Extraordinary Form)

Posted on 7 July 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I am focused on a myriad of things at the moment, and so I will open this to the readership to obtain sound and documented answers to this priest’s questions about the Extraordinary Form.
Note that there are two issues.
First, it … Continue reading →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Mail from priests, The Drill | Tagged hymns, Low Mass | 34 Comments

QUAERITUR: Why is Gregorian chant better than “Gather Us In?”

Posted on 6 May 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From a reader:
Forgive me my ignorance – I am a relatively new Catholic, coming from the Methodist tradition. Why is Gregorian Chant more appropriate for Mass than “Gather Us In?” I like “Gather Us In.” It is singable even for … Continue reading →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, ASK FATHER Question Box, Our Catholic Identity, The future and our choices | Tagged Gregorian chant, hymns, liturgical worship, polyphony, sacred music | 146 Comments

A citation concerning the use of hymns at Mass

Posted on 31 January 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

This citation from NLM is really useful.
Bugnini’s own Consilium in 1969 offered the following instruction, consistent with the Vatican II emphasis on chant over vernacular hymnody. As printed in 1 Notitiae, 5 (1969), p. 406
That rule [permitting vernacular hymns] has … Continue reading →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes | Tagged Annibale Bugnini, Concilium, Gregorian chant, hymns, pars integrans, sacred music | 36 Comments

Hymns versus the actual antiphons designated for Mass in the Roman Rite

Posted on 20 January 2010 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

There has been some discussion here of late about the Introit v. hymn debate, as well as the general issue of the use of hymns at Mass instead of the actual antiphons designated by Holy Church for use each day.
… Continue reading →