Bulletin Blurbs

I usually submit several different paragraphs for our parish bulletin each week. Often, I'll take some of the music we're singing and provide background, history, and/or context that might help parishioners understand why we sing what we sing. I'm going to start cross-posting these articles here, both for anyone who's interested, and for anyone who can add additional information or necessary corrections. This week's article was intended to help people understand what the General Instruction says about Gregorian chant, and to encourage parishioners to sing our communion chant in the spirit of Church teaching.

‘Taste and See’ plainchant
During Communion this weekend, we’re singing a Gregorian chant setting of Psalm 34. The simple antiphon (‘Taste and see the goodness of the Lord’) is repeated by the congregation in between chanted psalm verses. Singing Gregorian chant often begs the question, ‘Why?’, especially in cases where we know (and perhaps even prefer) other versions of ‘Taste and See’, like the setting by James Moore at Gather #814; or the refrain from ‘All Who Hunger’ (#820), which we sang last weekend.

Here are some reasons the Church gives for singing Gregorian chant, especially during the Communion procession (from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal):
“All other things being equal , Gregorian chant holds pride of place because it is proper to the Roman Liturgy.” (¶ 41)
“While the priest is receiving the Sacrament, the Communion chant is begun. Its purpose is to express the communicants' union in spirit by means of the unity of their voices, to show joy of heart, and to highlight more clearly the ‘communitarian’ nature of the procession to receive Communion.” (¶ 86)
“In the dioceses of the United States of America there are four options for the Communion chant: (1) the antiphon from the Roman Missal or the Psalm from the Roman Gradual…; (2) the seasonal antiphon and Psalm of the Simple Gradual; (3) a song from another collection of psalms and antiphons…; (4) a suitable liturgical song…” (¶ 87)

It’s worth noting that, consistent with the ‘pride of place’ mentioned in paragraph 41, the 1st option the General Instruction provides for singing during Communion is the chant from the Roman Missal or Gradual. If you still find yourself resisting plainchant, consider participating (by praying, listening, and singing) in the spirit of the General Instruction, and see if that participation may unite our spirits and voices, and express the joy in your heart.