[Sing]
and making melody to the Lord with all your heart. Ephesians 5:19
YOUCAT Catechism +
Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 183
Ave Maria series
183 Why is there music at
liturgies, and what kind of music must it be to be suitable for liturgy?
Where words are not enough to praise God, music come to our
aid. [1156-1158, 1191]
George Beverly Shea was a
Canadian-born American gospel singer and hymn composer. Shea was often
described as "America's beloved gospel singer" and was
considered "the first international singing 'star' of the gospel
world," as a consequence of his solos at Billy Graham Crusades and his exposure on radio, records and
television. He was a regular feature of the Billy
Graham television gospel hour .....183
When we turn to God, there is always something ineffable and
unsaid left over. Then music can help
out. In rejoicing, language becomes
song—that is why the angels sing. Music
in a worship service should make prayer more beautiful and more fervent, move
more deeply the hearts of all in attendance and bring them closer to God, and
prepare for God a feast of melody.
“Someone who sings prays
twice.” St. Augustine (354-430)
Be filled with the Holy Spirit, addressing one another in
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord
with all your heart. Ephesians 5:19
Singing and music
1156 "The musical tradition of the universal
Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other
art. The main reason for this pre-eminence is that, as a combination of sacred
music and words, it forms a necessary or integral part of solemn liturgy."
(Sacrosanctum Concilium 112)20 The composition and singing of inspired psalms, often
accompanied by musical instruments, were already closely linked to the
liturgical celebrations of the Old Covenant. The Church continues and develops
this tradition: "Address . . . one another in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your
heart." "He who sings prays twice." (Ephesians 5:19;
St. Augustine, En. in Psalm 72,1:Patrologia Latina 36,914; compare Colssians 3:16)21 --Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second
Edition
1157 Song and music fulfill their function as
signs in a manner all the more significant when they are "more closely
connected . . . with the liturgical action," (Sacrosanctum Concilium 112
§ 3)22 according to three principal criteria: beauty expressive
of prayer, the unanimous participation of the assembly at the designated
moments, and the solemn character of the celebration. In this way they
participate in the purpose of the liturgical words and actions: the glory of
God and the sanctification of the faithful: (compare Sacrosanctum Concilium 112)23 --CCC
How I wept, deeply moved by your hymns, songs, and the voices
that echoed through your Church! What emotion I experienced in them! Those
sounds flowed into my ears distilling the truth in my heart. A feeling of
devotion surged within me, and tears streamed down my face - tears that did me
good. (St.
Augustine, Conf. 9,6,14:Patrologia Latina 32,769-770)24 --CCC
1158 The harmony of signs (song, music, words,
and actions) is all the more expressive and fruitful when expressed in the cultural
richness of the People of
God who celebrate. compare (Sacrosanctum Concilium 119)25 Hence "religious singing by the
faithful is to be intelligently fostered so that in devotions and sacred
exercises as well as in liturgical services," in conformity with the
Church's norms, "the voices of the faithful may be heard." But
"the texts intended to be sung must always be in conformity with Catholic
doctrine. Indeed they should be drawn chiefly from the Sacred Scripture and
from liturgical sources." (Sacrosanctum Concilium 118;
121)26 --CCC
IN BRIEF
1191 Song and music are closely connected with the liturgical
action. The criteria for their proper use are the beauty expressive of prayer,
the unanimous participation of the assembly, and the sacred character of the
celebration. –CCC
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