Title

Do Priests Need to Sing?

Authors

Anthony Ruff OSB, College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2004

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities | Catholic Studies | Liturgy and Worship | Music | Religion

Abstract

The documents are clear: Yes, priests need to sing. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states: “Preference should be given to those [parts] that are of greater importance and especially to those sung by the priest or the deacon or the lector, with the people responding…” (no. 40). This statement reinforces the teachings of the 1967 Roman instruction Musicam Sacram, which places sung presidential dialogues (“The Gospel of the Lord,” “The peace of the Lord be with you,” “The Mass is ended, go in peace”) in the first category of importance before the Sanctus or Gospel acclamation (nos. 29-31). Let us be honest, though: We have a problem. When it comes to singing priest celebrants, our pastoral practice and the official documents inhabit two different worlds.

Recommended Citation

Ruff, Anthony. "Do Priests Need to Sing?" Pastoral Music (February-March 2004), 41-43.