A reader writes in:
My question is this: What is the best terminology to use when cantors announce each assembly-sung hymn or song in a mass, i.e., is the assembly being invited to join in singing “songs,” “hymns,” or “chants?”
Some background on my question — when cantors announce to the assembly the songs/hymns and the corresponding “Breaking Bread” book numbers, there seems to be an extremely wide range of interpretations as to how to announce them, so I am wanting to establish consistency among my cantors in making these announcements, but consistency that is in line with the Roman Catholic Church’s musical/liturgical protocol.
OCP’s “Today’s Liturgy” quarterly publication identifies the following categories for music options, and I follow each with what has been done here since my arrival:
- Entrance Chant – we say “Gathering Hymn” (or Song)
- Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts – we say “Song of Preparation”
- Communion Chant – we say “Communion Song” or “Song for Communion”
- Song of Praise or Sending Forth – we say “Recessional Song” or “Recessional Hymn”
I’ve looked through the Missal and find references to:
- Entrance Chant
- Offertory Chant; “chants… at the Presentation of the Gifts” I’m always surprised that in the Catholic church that the word “collection” is used rather than “offering” — I like the use of the word “Offertory… Chant/Song/Hymn.” The word “offering” to me denotes the action of the giver [‘we offer ourselves, our time, our possessions, signs of God’s gracious love…’], whereas the word “collection” focuses on the action of the church. Yet if the music is to assist the assembly in focusing on the gifts of bread and wine brought forward (presentation and/or preparation of the gifts), then should “Song of Preparation” or “Song of Presentation” be used?
- Chant “after” Communion; chant “at” Communion; Communion Chant
The Missal also has references to “different genres of chant,” “the different chants,” “liturgical chants,” but no reference to the post-mass song/hymn.In line with the terminology used in the Missal, I’ve unofficially begun suggesting the use of:
- Entrance Chant
- Offertory Chant
- Communion Chant
I can’t figure out what to do about the post-mass song/hymn/chant so most use “Recessional Song or Hymn.”
I have already received comments that the music that we’re singing isn’t chant. They are correct in that it is not chant as most people would interpret the word (with some exceptions – “Divinum Mysterium”, etc.). Yet if one follows the Missal terminology, one finds a few references to “songs” and “hymns” and “hymnal,” but none of those references are specifically associated with “entrance” or “presentation/preparation.” One reference that I found is to a hymn ‘after’ Communion. But there are many more references to the word “chant” in the Missal than to “song” and “hymn.” I found the word “song” used only once apart from its use in specifically-quoted texts or psalms that incorporate the word “song;” but in the Missal, “song” is never associated with any music that the assembly sings; yet we announce “Song of Preparation.”
I am very interested in knowing what others do to introduce assembly-sung music as well as the rationale behind those introductions. I want to assist cantors and parishioners in understanding why we say what we say, and what the valid reasons are for doing so.
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