Response: The Church affirms the use of music and musical instruments in the liturgy. However, some prayers during the Mass are to be proclaimed without any musical accompaniment.

Discussion: The norms for music in the liturgy state that the preference of the Church is for a chanted Mass. So immediately we see that the Church is not opposed to the prayers in the Mass being sung. However, certain norms establish which prayers may be accompanied by music and which prayers are to be proclaimed without musical accompaniment.

The Congregation for Divine Worship’s Instruction on Music in the Liturgy, Musicam Sacram, states the following:

The use of musical instruments to accompany the singing can act as a support to the voices, render participation easier, and achieve a deeper union in the assembly. However, their sound should not so overwhelm the voices that it is difficult to make out the text; and when some part is proclaimed aloud by the priest or a minister by reason of his role, they should be silent. (no. 64)

Musical accompaniment is beneficial within its proper role—support to the voices. Music should help the assembly to focus on the liturgy; instruments should not supplant the voices. Further, silence is called for when the presider proclaims prayers specific to his role as a priest.

The issue of musical accompaniment is most frequently addressed with regard to the Eucharistic Prayer. The Eucharistic Prayer is one of the "presidential prayers"—prayers reserved to the presider of the Mass, that is, the priest. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) affirms, "Among the parts assigned to the priest, the Eucharistic Prayer is preeminent; it is the high point of the celebration" (no. 30). GIRM, no. 32, adds the following regarding "presidential prayers":

The nature of the "presidential" texts demands that they be spoken in a loud and clear voice and that everyone listen with attention. Thus, while the priest is speaking these texts, there should be no other prayers or singing, and the organ or other musical instruments should not be played.

Because of the nature of the Eucharistic prayer, it is spoken only by the priest, and no person other than a priest may participate in this prayer. The rest of the congregation, including the music ministry, should be silent.

More recently, the Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum, by the Congregation for Divine Worship, reiterated this norm:

While the Priest proclaims the Eucharistic Prayer "there should be no other prayers or singing, and the organ or other musical instruments should be silent," except for the people’s acclamations that have been duly approved, as described below. (nos. 52–3)

This passage highlights the importance of the presider as he exercises his role as a priest. Further, while the GIRM uses the word "spoken," the Redemptionis Sacramentum uses the word "proclaim," which encompasses both speaking and singing. Finally, number 32 of the GIRM and number 53 of the Redemptionis Sacramentum are restrictions on what people other than the priest may do during the Eucharistic Prayer. They and musical instruments should be silent.

Thus, while "musical instruments can be very useful in sacred celebrations, whether they accompany the singing or whether they are played as solo instruments," there are certain parts of the liturgy when their silence is more appropriate (Musicam Sacram, no. 62). The silence then serves to spotlight the proclamation of the "presidential prayers."

Recommended Reading
Holy Bible (Catholic Edition)
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Documents of Vatican II
Sacrosanctum Concilium
General Instruction of the Roman Missal
Musicam Sacram
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Spirit of the Liturgy

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Father Thomas Acklin, O.S.B., The Unchanging Heart of the Priesthood
Michael J. Aquilina and Kenneth Ogorek, eds., The Great Life: Essays on Doctrine and Holiness, in Honor of Fr. Ronald Lawler, O.F.M. Cap.
Michael Barber, Coming Soon: Unlocking the Book of Revelation and Applying Its Lessons Today
Hahn and Suprenant, eds., Catholic for a Reason: Scripture and the Mystery of the Family of God
Leon Suprenant and Philip Gray, Faith Facts: Answers to Catholic Questions
Leon Suprenant, ed., Servants of the Gospel
Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobin, Without a Doubt: Bringing Faith to Life

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Available Faith Facts
Defending Our Rites: Constructively Dealing with Liturgical Abuse
Following Our Bishops
Smells, Bells, and Other Liturgical Odds and Ends
Announcements at Mass
Liturgical Dancing
Location of the Choir during Mass

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Last edited: 4/06