Musical Options at Mass

compiled by Gary D. Penkala

The Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite is replete with musical options — many pathways toward good musical liturgy. Here's a list of options ... how many do you actually use?

Prelude

Among all other instruments which are suitable for divine worship, the organ is "accorded pride of place." "The manifold possibilities of the organ in some way remind us of the immensity and the magnificence of God." In addition to its ability to lead and sustain congregational singing, the sound of the pipe organ is most suited for solo playing of sacred music in the Liturgy at appropriate moments, such as a prelude before Mass. [STL 87, 88, 44]

The choir may draw on the treasury of sacred music, singing compositions by composers of various periods and in various musical styles. Appropriate times when the choir might commonly sing alone include a prelude before Mass. [STL 30]

Entrance

Proper antiphons are esteemed [STL 117]

1. Proper antiphon & psalm verse(s) [GIRM 48]
   • from Roman Gradual (Latin)
   • from Roman Missal / Sacramentary (Latin or English)
2. Proper or seasonal antiphon & verses
   • from Simple Gradual (Latin)
   • from By Flowing Waters (English)
3. Other psalms or antiphons as approved by the USCCB
4. Other sacred songs

Methods of singing [GIRM 48]

1. alternately by choir & assembly
2. alternately by cantor & assembly
3. entirely by the assembly 
       for metrical hymn / multiple verses and form should be respected [STL 143]
4. entirely by the choir

Penitential Act –or– Sprinkling Rite

Prayed by all, alternately between deacon (choir/cantor) and congregation [GIRM 52]

1. Kyrie eleison
   • six-fold setting
   • nine-fold setting (according to musical setting)

May be sung at more solemn celebrations and in Advent and Lent when the Gloria is omitted.

Baptismal music by the choir and/or assembly is encouraged during the Sprinkling Rite. [STL 147]

Gloria

Hymn of praise [GIRM 53, STL 149]

1. sung entirely by the assembly
2. sung alternately by choir & assembly
3. sung by choir alone
4. recited by the assembly together or in alternation

Orations

Music is provided in the Roman Missal / Sacramentary.

Responsorial Psalm

The Responsorial Psalm sung may be the psalm specified for the day or a seasonal Common Psalm.

The Psalm (also called the Gradual) may be taken from the Roman Gradual or the Simple Gradual.

The text must be from the psalter.

1. Responsorial singing [GILM 20, GIRM 61, STL 156]
   • Psalmist (cantor) sings verse while the assembly joins on refrain (proper or "Alleluia")
     • Vernacular
       • from Lectionary
       • from By Flowing Waters
     • Latin
       • from Roman Gradual
       • from Simple Gradual
2. Direct singing [GILM 20, GIRM 61, STL 157]
   • Psalmist (cantor) sings entire psalm
     • Vernacular
     • Latin
   • Assembly sings entire psalm
     • using psalm tone formula
     • using metrical setting [STL 157]

Gospel Acclamation

The Gospel Acclamation should be sung. [GILM 23, GIRM 62, STL 163/4]

The assembly should participate in the refrain.

• Psalmist (cantor) or choir sings verse while the assembly joins on refrain [GILM 23]
  • Vernacular
    • from Lectionary
    • from By Flowing Waters
  • Latin
    • from Roman Gradual
    • from Simple Gradual

Gospel

1. Spoken clearly [STL 168]
2. Sung clearly [STL 168]

Profession of Faith

1. Spoken [GIRM 68, STL 170]
2. Sung to a simple musical setting [GIRM 68, STL 170]
   • by priest & people
   • by choir or cantor alternating with the assembly

Prayer of the Faithful

1. Sung by deacon & assembly
2. Sung by cantor & assembly [STL 171]
3. Recited by deacon & assembly [GIRM 70]
4. Recited by lector & assembly

Offertory

1. Proper antiphon & psalm verse(s) [GIRM 74]
   • from Roman Gradual (Latin)
   • from Roman Missal / Sacramentary (Latin or English)
2. Proper or seasonal antiphon & verses
   • from Simple Gradual (Latin)
   • from By Flowing Waters (English)
3. Other psalms or antiphons as approved by the USCCB
4. Other sacred songs

Methods of singing: [GIRM 74]

1. alternately by choir & assembly
2. alternately by cantor & assembly
3. entirely by the assembly
       metrical hymn / multiple verses and form should be respected [STL 143]
4. entirely by the choir

In addition to its ability to lead and sustain congregational singing, the sound of the pipe organ is most suited for solo playing of sacred music in the Liturgy at appropriate moments, such as an instrumental piece during the Preparation of the Gifts [STL 44].

The choir may draw on the treasury of sacred music, singing compositions by composers of various periods and in various musical styles. Appropriate times when the choir might commonly sing alone include the Preparation of the Gifts [STL30].

(The choir is) able to enrich the celebration by adding musical elements beyond the capabilities of the congregation alone. [STL 28]

Dialogues

1. Sung — preference [STL 115a]
2. Recited

Sanctus

An acclamation of the assembly [GIRM 79b, STL 180]

Eucharistic Prayer

May be sung, as on solemn occasions [STL 182]

Memorial Acclamation

An acclamation of the assembly [STL 180]

Amen

An acclamation of the assembly [GIRM 79h, STL 180]

Lord's Prayer & Doxology

Acclamations of the assembly [GIRM 81]

1. sung — including the doxology [STL 186]
2. recited

Agnus Dei

1. sung by cantor or choir with the assembly singing the response [GIRM 83]
2. sung by the assembly alone

Communion

1. Proper antiphon & psalm verse(s) [GIRM 87, STL 190]
   • from Roman Gradual (Latin)
   • from Roman Missal / Sacramentary (Latin or English)
2. Proper or seasonal antiphon & verses
   • from Simple Gradual (Latin)
   • from By Flowing Waters (English)
3. Other psalms or antiphons as approved by the USCCB
4. Other sacred songs

Methods of singing: [GIRM 87]
    Preference for responsorial singing [STL 192]

1. alternately by choir & assembly
2. alternately by cantor & assembly
3. entirely by the assembly
       metrical hymn / multiple verses and form should be respected [STL 143]
4. entirely by the choir

The choir may draw on the treasury of sacred music, singing compositions by composers of various periods and in various musical styles. Appropriate times when the choir might commonly sing alone include during the Communion procession. [STL 30]

Instrumental music may also be used to foster a spirit of unity and joy. [STL 193]

Psalm or Song after Communion

This is optional. [GIRM 88, STL 196]

Closing / Recessional / Postlude

There is no Closing Song in the official Roman Rite.
Options for music at this time include: [STL 199]

1. a congregational song
2. instrumental music
3. choir recessional
4. silence - particularly during Lent

In addition to its ability to lead and sustain congregational singing, the sound of the pipe organ is most suited for solo playing of sacred music in the Liturgy at appropriate moments, such as a recessional if there is no closing song, or a postlude following a closing song. [STL 44]

The choir may draw on the treasury of sacred music, singing compositions by composers of various periods and in various musical styles. Appropriate times when the choir might commonly sing alone include the recessional. [STL 30]

GIRM = General Instruction on the Roman Missal (Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments [CDWDS] 2002)

GILM = General Introduction to the Lectionary for Mass (CDWDS 1997)

STL = Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 2007)