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    The Importance of The Choir in The Liturgy-1

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    Nwosu Ezichi
    The document discusses the importance of choirs in the liturgy according to several Church documents. It states that choirs help the assembly internally participate through song, add beauty and solemnity to the liturgy, and assist the congregation in singing. The choir has several roles - sometimes leading song, other times singing alternately with the congregation, and at other times singing alone during specific parts of the Mass. Choir members should exercise their ministry with faith as servants of the Liturgy.

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    The Importance of The Choir in The Liturgy-1

    Uploaded by

    Nwosu Ezichi
    31 views2 pages
    The document discusses the importance of choirs in the liturgy according to several Church documents. It states that choirs help the assembly internally participate through song, add beauty and solemnity to the liturgy, and assist the congregation in singing. The choir has several roles - sometimes leading song, other times singing alternately with the congregation, and at other times singing alone during specific parts of the Mass. Choir members should exercise their ministry with faith as servants of the Liturgy.

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    The importance of the Choir in the Liturgy-1

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    The document discusses the importance of choirs in the liturgy according to several Church documents. It states that choirs help the assembly internally participate through song, add beauty and solemnity to the liturgy, and assist the congregation in singing. The choir has several roles - sometimes leading song, other times singing alternately with the congregation, and at other times singing alone during specific parts of the Mass. Choir members should exercise their ministry with faith as servants of the Liturgy.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    31 views2 pages

    The Importance of The Choir in The Liturgy-1

    Uploaded by

    Nwosu Ezichi
    The document discusses the importance of choirs in the liturgy according to several Church documents. It states that choirs help the assembly internally participate through song, add beauty and solemnity to the liturgy, and assist the congregation in singing. The choir has several roles - sometimes leading song, other times singing alternately with the congregation, and at other times singing alone during specific parts of the Mass. Choir members should exercise their ministry with faith as servants of the Liturgy.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    The importance of the Choir in the Liturgy

    Since The Second Vatican Council 1962-1965 there have been several
    documents written on the liturgy. The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (CSL) ,
    The General instruction of the Roman Missal (GI), Music in Catholic Worship
    (MCW), Liturgical Music today (LMT) and Sing to The Lord Music in Divine
    Worship (STL). I would like to quote them in regard to the responsibilities of the
    choir.

    Participation in the Sacred Liturgy must be "internal, in the sense that by it


    the faithful join their mind to what they pronounce or hear and cooperate with
    heavenly grace." Even when listening to the various prayers and readings of the
    Liturgy or singing of the choir, the assembly continues to participate actively as
    they "unite themselves interiorly to what the ministers or choir sing, so that by
    listening to them they may raise their minds to God."

    Participation must also be external, so that internal participation can be


    expressed and reinforced by actions, gestures, and bodily attitudes, and by
    exclamations, responses and singing. The quality of our participation in such sung
    praise comes less from our vocal ability than from the desire of our hearts to sing
    together of our love for God. Participation in the Sacred Liturgy both expresses
    and strengthens the faith that is in us. (STL)

    A liturgical service takes on a nobler aspect when the rites are celebrated
    with singing and the ministers take their parts in them, and the faithful actively
    participate.(CSL)

    The faithful who gather together to await the Lord's coming are instructed
    by the Apostle Paul to sing psalms, hymns and inspired songs (Col 3:16). Song is
    the sign of the heart's joy (Acts 2:46). Thus St Augustine says rightly: "To sing
    belongs to lovers." There is also the ancient proverb: "One who sings well prays
    twice." (CSL)
    A well-trained choir adds beauty and solemnity to the liturgy and also assists and
    encourages singing of the congregation,

    At times the choir, within the congregation of the faithful and as part of it,
    will assume the role of leadership, while at other times it will retain its own
    distinctive ministry. At other times.. the choir alone will sing works whose
    musical demands enlist and challenge its competence. (MCL)

    An important musical role of the choir is to sing various Mass parts in


    dialogue or alternation with the congregation

    At times, the choir performs its ministry by singing alone. Appropriate


    times when the choir might commonly sing alone include a prelude before Mass,
    the Entrance chant, the Preparation of the Gifts, during Communion procession or
    after the reception of Communion and the recessional. (STL)

    When the choir is not exercising its particular role, it joins the congregation
    in song. The choir's role in this case is not to lead the congregational singing, but
    to sing with the congregation, which sings on its own or under the leadership of
    the organ or other instruments.

    Choir members, like all liturgical ministers, should exercise their ministry
    with evident faith and should participate in the entire liturgical celebration,
    recognizing that they are servants of the Liturgy and members of the gathered
    assembly.(STL)

    The Church in the United States continues on its journey of liturgical


    renewal and spiritual growth. The words of St. Augustine remind us of our
    pilgrimage: "You should sing as wayfarers do- sing but continue your journey. Do
    not be lazy, but sing to make your journey more enjoyable. Sing, but keep going".
    (LMT)

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