The Purpose of Singing

What is singing for in the Mass? Maybe it would help if I began by asking, "what is singing not for?" If we can eliminate some of those errors, then it would make it easier for us to consider what the real purpose is for singing in the Mass. One of the biggest problems with this entire question is that we in modern society are so enamored with entertainment, that it becomes even harder for us to distinguish between something that we like because it is personally enjoyable, and something we appreciate because it has a value that goes beyond ourselves.

There was once a funeral Mass in a Catholic Church for an individual who was widely known and greatly loved throughout the larger community. Many people were there (including non-catholics), and the family of the deceased asked a non-catholic to "sing a song" during the Mass. The priest was very reluctant because the non-catholic had never been to a catholic Mass before and so he did not understand the nature of the Mass or its rules in the slightest bit. After much pressure he agreed to allow him to sing. Afterwards, he greatly regretted his choice. The singer turned what was supposed to be a communion hymn into an opportunity to draw attention to himself (he even made the priest wait at the altar for about five mintues before he could continue Mass). This is not to say that the singer did not have talent, he did; yet, he was not glorifying God by his actions, but himself.

Singing in the Mass in such a way that we draw attention to ourselves for the purpose of self-aggrandizement is a grave sin. This is no different than any other activity in the Mass which is done for personal pride (and I have seen people do this as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, readers, servers, even ushers). It is sad, but even many Catholics fail to understand what music is for in the Mass. It is not supposed to be for entertainment (any more than any other part of the Mass is), it is for the glory of God and the sanctification of the people (in that order).

If someone ever insists on a particular kind of music in the Mass because he, "likes it", then he is only looking for entertainment and not the glory of God. When that is someone's goal, then he will not be sanctified by the music (as is supposed to happen), but instead he will just be made happy (which is often not sanctifying). What we look for in the Mass reveals what we believe the purpose of the Mass is.

The Church has always had (even if not spoken about today) a distinction between sacred music and religious music. Sacred music is that which was developed by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost and, though it can be used anywhere, it is intended for the liturgical celebration of the Mass (i.e. Gregorian Chant). Religious music is focused on religious themes and intended more for use at home and in private; it is lesser in reverence to sacred music and is not specifically inspired in the same way (i.e. hymns, "praise tunes", or even rock music if religious in focus). If we listen to a steady diet of religious music in the Mass, and get little or no sacred music, we will end up misunderstanding the purpose of singing in the Mass. We will think it is for us and our enjoyment, and not for God and His glory.

Though not all know it, even the documents of the Second Vatican council state that Gregorian Chant always must take precedence over other forms of music, and should never be displaced by religious music which is of a lesser spiritual benefit. The Church has always believed this and always taught it. Some today would like to ignore it (and I have even met a few clergymen who do not know the Church's teaching on this), but we are not justified if we follow their error. Let us first seek to glorify God in all parts of the Mass, especially what we sing. Then we can come to appreciate what has been given to us by the Holy Ghost and be thankful that God always knows, and provides, what is best for us.