Michael Brooks
The Catholic Church has strict rules and guidelines for the use of sacred music during Mass, which can be found in various official Church documents. These rules dictate that sacred music is for the glory of God and the sanctification of the faithful, and therefore, it must possess qualities such as sanctity and goodness of form. The Church's official book of chant for the Mass, the Graduale Romanum, was revised in 1974, and the use of popular and pseudo-folk music at Mass disrupted the restoration of sacred music. The Church's stance on the use of traditional versus contemporary music in Mass is that it can be either, as long as the contemporary compositions possess the qualities of genuine sacred music. Additionally, the Church specifies that the instruments used must be suitable for sacred use and fitting for the dignity of the Church. In the case of choral and composition recitals, approval from the principal professor is required, and specific directives regarding performance may be given to students.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To glorify God and edify the faithful |
| Nature | Holy, excluding all profanity |
| Composition | Traditional or contemporary, provided it has qualities proper to genuine sacred music |
| Language | Preferably Latin |
| Instruments | Must be suitable for sacred use and accompany the faithful in their singing |
| Approval | In the case of choral and composition recitals, approval must be given by the principal professor |
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What You'll Learn
The role of the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church has a rich tradition of sacred music, and its role and function within the Church have been a source of much discussion and some division. The Church has a clear and defined set of rules and principles regarding sacred music, and these are outlined in various official documents. The Church's official book of chant for the Mass, the Graduale Romanum, was revised and published in 1974, and the Church has been working to restore and protect its sacred music since.
The Church's position is that sacred music is for the "glory of God and the sanctification and edification of the faithful" and, as such, it must be holy and exclude all profanity. It should also be composed with the qualities proper to the liturgy and be in keeping with the sanctity and goodness of form. The Church has been clear that the musical settings of the past are not to be replicated but that the treasury of sacred music should be preserved and cultivated with care. This means that contemporary compositions are acceptable, provided they meet the required qualities.
The Church's official position is that sacred music must be approved by the Church and must adhere to these strict guidelines. The Church is also clear that the instruments used must be suitable for sacred use and must be fitting for the dignity of the Church. The relative remoteness and changelessness of the Latin language, for example, are especially preferred in chant as they lead away from the ordinary and towards the transcendent.
The Catholic Church in America, founded by the US bishops and the Pope, is dedicated to advancing the dialogue between faith and reason. It offers academic degrees in various subjects, including Sacred Music. In this context, the performance and composition of sacred music must be approved by the principal professor and, in some cases, the director of the program.
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The purpose of sacred liturgy
Liturgy, derived from the Greek "leitourgia", means “work or service for the people". It is a religious phenomenon, a customary public ritual of worship performed by a religious group. It represents communal participation in the sacred through praise, thanksgiving, remembrance, supplication, or repentance. Liturgy forms the basis for establishing a relationship with God.
The liturgy is a reciprocal service, a duty for Christians as a priestly people through their baptism into Christ and participation in His high priestly ministry. It is also God's ministry or service to the worshippers. Liturgy is not merely a teaching session, but a dramatic unfolding of human history, remembering God's saving deeds in the past and His promises for the future. It situates us in the story of our lives, bringing us to the glory of heaven and providing sustenance for our earthly journey.
The liturgical celebrations of the Church help us to understand the mysteries of Jesus Christ, particularly His death and Resurrection, which are now hidden in the eternity of God. Through the liturgy, we participate in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, His passing from this life into eternal glory, mirroring the liberation of the ancient Israelites from slavery, as narrated in the Book of Exodus.
Music plays a significant role in the liturgy. The Church's official book of chant for the Mass, the Graduale Romanum, was revised and published in 1974. The Church has emphasised the importance of preserving and cultivating its treasury of sacred music. Sacred music is intended for the glory of God and the sanctification and edification of the faithful. It should possess sanctity and goodness of form and be presented in a holy manner, excluding all profanity.
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The use of secular music
Secular music is music intended for a non-religious audience. It is any music that is not created for use in religious ceremonies. In the context of the Catholic Church, secular music is music that is not used for religious purposes. For example, Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" is considered secular music.
On the other hand, sacred music serves a particular religious purpose in the Catholic tradition. It is created to facilitate a relationship between people and the divine in a sacred space. Sacred music in the Catholic Church is often called ""liturgical"" and is related to worship. For instance, the liturgical chant "Agnus Dei" is sung as part of Catholic Mass.
The differentiation between sacred and secular music is important in determining which music is appropriate to use during Mass. While secular music is not inherently religious, it can still be used in certain religious contexts, such as weddings or funerals, where the Liturgy has not yet started. For example, Pachelbel's "Canon in D" is commonly used during the bridal procession at weddings.
The Catholic Church has specific guidelines and principles regarding the use of sacred music during Mass. The music should glorify God and sanctify and edify the faithful. It should possess qualities such as sanctity and goodness of form and exclude all profanity. The Church encourages the preservation and cultivation of sacred music, including traditional chants and contemporary compositions that uphold the dignity of the Church.
While the traditional view of sacred music in Catholicism leans towards Gregorian chants and polyphonic compositions, the introduction of popular and contemporary music in the 1960s and onwards caused a division among Catholics. Some embraced the new pop style, while others preferred traditional sacred music. Today, there is a growing movement among younger Catholics to restore and reintroduce traditional sacred music into parish worship.
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The need for approval
The Catholic Church has strict rules and guidelines regarding sacred music, and the need for approval is an important aspect of maintaining the sanctity and liturgical purpose of the music. The Church's teachings emphasise that sacred music is not just art or entertainment but serves a higher spiritual purpose, glorifying God and edifying the faithful.
The Church's official stance on sacred music is outlined in various documents, including the Sacrosanctum Concilium, Musicam Sacram, and Tra Le Sollecitudini. These texts provide guidelines for the qualities that sacred music should possess, emphasising sanctity, goodness of form, and suitability for sacred use. This need for approval ensures that the music aligns with the liturgy and upholds the dignity of the Church and its traditions.
For instance, the Church expresses a preference for Gregorian chants in Latin, the official language of the Church. This tradition is valued for its purity of form and ability to lead worshippers away from the ordinary and towards a transcendent experience. The Church also recognises the value of contemporary compositions, provided they possess the qualities of genuine sacred music and are suitable for the dignity of the Church.
While the Church sets clear guidelines, the interpretation and application of these rules can vary. Some Catholics may prefer strict traditional music, while others appreciate a blend of traditional and contemporary styles. This diversity of opinions highlights the ongoing dialogue within the Church community about the role and boundaries of sacred music.
In conclusion, the need for approval in Catholic sacred music is essential to preserving the sanctity and liturgical purpose of the music. By adhering to the Church's guidelines and seeking appropriate approvals, musicians and Church communities can ensure that their musical choices align with the spiritual goals of worship and devotion.
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The impact of culture
Music has been an important aspect of liturgy and Christian prayer throughout history and across cultures. The purpose of sacred liturgy is to draw people out of their everyday lives and towards a perception of eternal mysteries. This is achieved through prayer and music, which prompt religious emotion.
Cultural adaptations of music are important to make Christianity relatable and accessible to new contexts and societies. However, this must be done within the same parameters of propriety, so the reverence for the sacrifice of Calvary is maintained. For example, the rise of popular and pseudo-folk music in the Mass during the 1960s disrupted the restoration of sacred music. This period of liturgical upheaval confused and alienated many Catholics, with some embracing the new pop style and others embittered by it.
The Church's official book of chant for the Mass, the Graduale Romanum, was revised in 1974. Gregorian Chant, in Latin, is preferred by the Church as it is the language in which the chant was composed, and the melodies are constructed around the accentuation, phrasing, and articulation of the Latin text.
Sacred music is defined by Bishop Olmsted as music "created to support, elevate, and better express the words and actions of the sacred liturgy". It is liturgical music, which is distinct from religious music, which gives voice to the spiritual ideas and aspirations of a given culture. Sacred music is, therefore, the "sacramental expression of Christ and the true nature of the Church".
The Second Vatican Council's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy states that sacred music is for "the glory of God and the sanctification and edification of the faithful". It must be holy and exclude all profanity, not only in the music itself but also in the manner in which it is presented.
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Frequently asked questions
The rules governing the use of sacred music at Mass can be found in various Church documents such as Sacrosanctum Concilium, Musicam Sacram, and Tra Le Sollecitudini. Sacred music should possess the qualities proper to the liturgy and exclude all profanity. It can be strictly traditional or a mix of traditional and contemporary music, as long as the contemporary compositions have the qualities of genuine sacred music.
There is no clear answer to this question. While some sources mention the need for approval from Church authorities, others do not. It seems that the specific requirements may vary depending on the context and the local diocese.
The liturgical changes of the 1960s and the rise of popular and pseudo-folk music disrupted the restoration of sacred music. While there is a current movement towards restoration, led by younger Catholics and a new generation of priests, it is a long-term project that requires time and effort.
Yes, at the Catholic University of America, for example, choral, organ, and vocal literature in graduate recitals must be approved by the principal applied professor and the director of the program. Specific directives and feedback are provided to students, and recitals are evaluated by faculty members.
