Some reflections on all of us assembled at Liturgy

Here is a quote from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal....our source of direction regarding the celebration of Mass.

"For this people is the People of God, purchased by Christ's Blood, gathered together by the Lord, nourished by his word, the people called to present to God the prayers of the entire human family, a people that gives thanks in Christ for the mystery of salvation by offering his Sacrifice, a people, finally, that is brought together in unity by Communion in the Body and Blood of Christ. This people, though holy in its origin, nevertheless grows constantly in holiness by conscious, active, and fruitful participation in the mystery of the Eucharist."

What a beautiful statement of the action that we take every time that we participate in the celebration of Mass.

The General Instruction goes on in #16 to state: "The celebration of Mass, as the action of Christ and of the people of God arrayed hierarchically, is the center of the whole of Christian life for the Church both universal and local, as well as for each of the faithful individually. For in it is found the high point both of the action by which God sanctifies the world and in Christ, and of the worship that the human race offers to the Father, adoring him through Christ, the Son of God, in the Holy Spirit."

From the focus of liturgical music, then these statements begin to shape how we prepare the music for liturgy:

* Music choices are not personal taste, or the latest music for it's own sake, but are embodying prayer, unity, thanksgiving, adoration, petition...focused on the Trinity. Music can do this through traditional hymn choices, through contemporary Catholic music, through chant, and through the use of many instruments....all music focused in prayer.

* Music is the prayer of the assembled people. It is not performance, or the "kingdom" of the choir/organist/cantors. It belongs to the assembly praising and thanking God, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit.

* Music choices come from the Sacred Scripture readings for a particular Mass, and from the season of the year; always within the general focus of the paragraphs referenced above. Finally, music is integral to the liturgy....not an option. We "sing" the Mass. The General Instruction #40 states: "Great importance should therefore be attached to the use of singing in the celebration of the Mass, with due consideration for the culture of people and abilities of each liturgical assembly. Although it is not always necessary (e.g. in weekday Masses) to sing all the texts that are in principal meant to be sung, every care should be taking that singing by the ministers and the people not be absent in celebrations that occur on Sundays and on Holydays of Obligation."

The liturgy is your prayer. Please watch this site for continuing education on music and the liturgy of the Church.

CHOIR/CANTORS/INSTRUMENTALISTS: If you are not already in music ministry at St. Therese, consider joining this ministry. It is my joy and privilege to be with you at St. Therese, as servant in the vineyard.