CNP Feedback - Communion Psalms?

The "Feedback Box" on the CanticaNOVA Publications website has proven quite effective in promoting communications on a variety of subjects, and expressing concerns of liturgists and musicians. From time to time, we'll compile a few of these questions or comments and put them in public view, with the hope that others with similar concerns may benefit from their content.

Q. Dear CNP:

Please provide any documents justifying why the Psalms shouldn't be used as Communion Songs.

Sal Myst

A. Dear Mr. Myst:

Actually, Psalms are perfect for music at Communion time. Whenever looking to make judgments about what is appropriate in the Liturgy, we should always research the ideal. The Church's official "songbook" is the Graduale Romanum, wherein texts and music are given to be sung at Communion time for every Mass throughout the year. The Communion Antiphon (found in Latin in the Graduale or in English in The Roman Missal) is to be sung as Communion is being distributed, and this can readily be expanded by the addition of psalm verses for choir, schola or cantor. Note: many of the Communion Antiphons come from the Psalms already, as in this one for the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time:

Let your face shine on your servant. Save me in your merciful love. O Lord, let me never be put to shame, for I call to you. Psalm 31:17-18

Further, we can look to the General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM), found at the front of The Roman Missal, for rubrical authorization:

87. In the Dioceses of the United States of America, there are four options for singing at Communion:

1. the antiphon from the Missal or the antiphon with its Psalm from the Graduale Romanum, as set to music there or in another musical setting;
2. the antiphon with Psalm from the Graduale Simplex of the liturgical time;
3. a chant from another collection of Psalms and antiphons, approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop, including Psalms arranged in responsorial or metrical forms;
4. some other suitable liturgical chant approved by the Conference of Bishops or the Diocesan Bishop.

This is sung either by the choir alone or by the choir or a cantor with the people.

As you can see, the first three options [and specifically Option #3] suggest singing from the Psalms at Communion time. Any of the first three options are preferred over singing a "hymn" or "song" at Communion time [loosely found in #4].

Further, there is the practical situation of communicants processing in the aisle to receive the Sacrament, at which time they should not be encumbered with a hymnal or liturgy sheet in order to sing. An easily remembered antiphon (refrain) is the best choice here. This product, Communion Psalms for the Liturgical Seasons, can be very useful.

Note (surprise, surprise) that the Communion music can be sung by a choir alone!

Hope this is helpful to your understanding of music during Communion time.

Gary Penkala
CanticaNOVA Publications

Article written 29 February 2020