Selecting Music for Worship Part 1: The Liturgical Judgment
In selecting music for worship, we turn to quotations from the “Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship” document published by the USCCB (United States Council of Catholic Bishops) in 2007.
STL 126. In judging the appropriateness of music for the Liturgy, one should examine its liturgical, pastoral, and musical qualities. Ultimately, however, these three judgments are but aspects of one evaluation, which answers the question: “Is this particular piece of music appropriate for this use in this particular liturgy?” All three judgements must be considered together, and no individual judgement can be applied in isolation from the other two. The evaluation requires cooperation, consultation, collaboration, and mutual respect among those who are skilled in any of the judgments, be they pastors, musicians, liturgists, or planners.
This week, we examine,
The Liturgical Judgement (STL 127-129) 127. Is this composition capable of meeting the structural and textual requirements set forth by the liturgical books for this particular rite?
128. Structural consideration depends on the demands of the rite itself to guide the choice of parts to be sung, taking into account the principle of progressive solemnity. A certain balance among the various elements of the Liturgy should be sought. Textual elements include the ability of a musical setting to support the liturgical text and to convey meaning faithful to the teaching of the Church.
Let us take, for example,,, the solemn feast of Pentecost to be celebrated this year on May 20. A special element of this solemnity is the sequence. The sequence is poetic text that is inserted between the second reading and the gospel acclamation. Our hymn selection committee found the hymn version of this text from Breaking Bread #188, “Come, O Holy Spirit” (Hymn to Joy) by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was capable of meeting the structural and textual requirement since this tune is very familiar to not only our parishioners, but it is one of the most familiar tunes throughout the world. To sing rather than to recite the sequence balanced out the Liturgy of the Word Rite by mixing spoken word with sung word. It was felt that the chant version would not be as familiar and would prevent people from participating actively.
Here is the link to this hymn.
http://bit.ly/2w5Cxqp