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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Participating Actively despite all of that Active Participation

Andrew R. Motyka · April 10, 2013

t’s something I’ve confessed more than once: my failure to engage in what is happening during the Mass. Despite the fact that I am singing, playing the organ, or conducting for almost half of the Mass, I often completely fail to participate. How can this be? Isn’t this what is meant by the “active participation” that is one of the liturgical goals of the Second Vatican Council? Isn’t the involvement of the laity in the liturgy a success? Well, yes, but not necessarily in the way you think.

What am I doing here, if this is my internal monologue:

Downbeat tenors, sopranos on two. Basses next, followed by altos. Offbeat entrances by basses, then tenors, altos, sopranos. Don’t forget to crescendo across the stong beat…

Why, I’m conducting the first phrase of Giovanni Croce’s O Sacrum Convivium this coming Sunday, the Third Sunday of Easter.

Do you know what I’m not doing? Praying:

O Sacred Banquet in which Christ is received…

Sure, you might argue that I am praying this piece in a different way than the congregation is, but I am not engaging the music, and certainly not the action of the liturgy, in the same way that the non-singer or non-director is. I’m working right now.

And that’s fine. We all have our jobs and our roles in liturgy. However, I’m a Catholic, too, and should be actively participating in the liturgy (there’s that phrase again). I should be praying. The question here is, “How do we engage the liturgy prayerfully when we’re busy doing all of the ‘things’ that need our attention?”

It isn’t easy. There are a few tips I’ve figured out over the years, but I can’t say I’ve mastered them. Here are some starting points, though:

1. Prepare for the liturgy.

Oh, why didn’t you say so? Here I’ve been just showing up and doing it all this time. Actually, what I mean is to take care of all of the mundane “extras” before the Mass begins. I make a binder that has every piece of my music in it, in order, so I don’t have to “fish” for a single thing once the Mass begins. This includes all of the hymns, ordinaries, choir pieces, and even organ interludes. Don’t leave anything to chance; the fewer non-liturgical concerns you have during Mass, the better.

2. Prepare for the liturgy.

If I have to focus on every single cue, on every fingering passage, or on every entrance, I’ve lost the battle for liturgical focus before I’ve even begun. These things need to be worked out long before the bells ring to begin the Mass. I strongly recommend using an old musician’s trick, which consists of studying and repeating the planned music several times before executing it live. Sometimes we call this trick “practice.”

3. Prepare for the liturgy.

Seeing a trend here? The reality is that none of us is ever really perfectly disposed for prayer. We get distracted by all sorts of things (You think I have it bad? Ask my wife, who watches my two children, ages 4 and 5, during Mass. She’s my heroine). Take a minute before Mass and pray to the Holy Spirit that you be focused on the prayers of the Mass. Ready yourself spiritually to engage in the mysteries before you begin. This puts you in the proper disposition prior to the first downbeat.

So how do you actively participate despite all of that participation? Focus yourself during the non-musical moments. Don’t look for the next piece of music. Don’t micro-manage your choir regarding the next entrance. You’ve done the preparation. Now pray: there’s a miracle going on up there on the altar, and you don’t want to miss it.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Andrew R. Motyka

Andrew Motyka is the Archdiocesan Director of Liturgical Music and Cathedral Music for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    “Music List” • 23rd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Readers have expressed interest in perusing the ORDER OF MUSIC I’ve prepared for 7 September 2025, which is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). If such a thing interests you, feel free to download it as a PDF file. As always, the Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, and Mass Propers for this Sunday are conveniently stored at the spectacular feasts website alongside the official texts in Latin. My singers really enjoy singing the resplendent COMMUNION ANTIPHON with its Fauxbourdon verses.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Saint John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“The sun’s disc did not remain immobile. This was not the sparkling of a heavenly body, for it spun round on itself in a mad whirl, when suddenly a clamor was heard from all the people. The sun, whirling, seemed to loosen itself from the firmament and advance threateningly upon the earth as if to crush us with its huge fiery weight. The sensation during those moments was terrible.”

— ‘Dr. Almeida Garrett, professor of natural sciences at the University of Coimbra (1917)’

Recent Posts

  • PDF Download • Croft’s “Canonic Kyrie” (SATB)
  • Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
  • “Music List” • 23rd in Ordinary Time (Year C)
  • PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
  • “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)

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