• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

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.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
Views from the Choir Loft

Sing Prayerfully

Andrew Leung · February 12, 2015

323 Andrew Leung T HAS BEEN SAID: “He who sings prays twice.” However as church musicians, we don’t always feel prayerful and peaceful when we are singing and playing during the Liturgy. Recently, I heard from some friends that singing at Mass was never a peaceful and prayerful experience for them, but a stressful one. A lot of times, we worry about whether the choir is singing too slow, pronunciation of the text, messing up the rhythm, missing an entrance in a polyphonic piece, making mistakes on a melody or harmony, etc. Should the Mass be a prayerful experience for the musicians?

YES! I am sure that most of you will agree that singing the Mass is not just a performance, but a prayer. The music at Mass should be for the glorification of God and the sanctification of the faithful. Musicians, as part of the faithful, should be sanctified by the Liturgical Music too. When we sing at Mass, it is understandable that there might be a little nerve just like what we would experience in other performances. However, this nerve shouldn’t affect us too much spiritually.

If Liturgical Music is a prayer, when do we begin praying? The prayer should start way before the Mass. In fact, we should make our personal practices and group rehearsals part of the prayer. It is a long process of prayer that the congregation will never experience. It is like saying the rosary. A rosary is formed by many “Our Father”, “Hail Mary”, “Glory be” and other prayers and devotions. Before Mas, we practice the pieces over and over again just like how we say the “Hail Mary” fifty times in a rosary. Each “Hail Mary” is a short and simple prayer, but when they are all linked together, they become part of a long prayer, the rosary. Similarly, we make a lot of mistakes and pauses during rehearsals. And when we put all our works and efforts together at Mass, the prayer is finally completed. That is why preparations and practices are very important for church musicians.

HERE ARE A FEW THOUGHTS and suggestions on how one can make “church singing” more prayerful.

First, Spiritually:

1. Understand the idea of “Sing the Mass, not Sing at Mass.” To “Sing at Mass” would be to make our singing a performance only. On the other hand, to “Sing the Mass” is to make our singing a prayer. Always starts and ends the rehearsal or the “performance” with a prayer to remind ourselves to make the music a prayer to God.

2. Know the text. A good piece of Sacred Music should have a scriptural text, or sometimes the text would be taken from other traditional prayers. In order to sing prayerfully, we need to make sure we know what we are singing, especially when the text is in a foreign language.

3. Observe sacred silence, especially in our own prayer time. As musicians, we are constantly participating the Mass externally through singing or playing. It is important that we do not forget the internal participation and to listen to God through silent prayer and meditation.

And now, more Technical:

1. Know the Strengths and Weaknesses. As choir directors, we need to know our choirs’ strengths and weaknesses; and as singers, we need to know our own strengths and weaknesses too. If singing the Mass is a stressful experience for you, you should try to find out what is stressing you out.

2. Find the Right Repertoire. One of the main reasons why singing the Mass is so stressful for some people is because repertoire is too difficult. For example, the Tract might be too long and hard for a choir. Then maybe you would like to consider singing it in psalm tone until your choir is comfortable with long and melismatic chant. It is more important to sing well and pray well than to sing a challenging piece.

3. Use your Rehearsal Time Wisely. If singing the Mass is a stressful experience for you, consider lengthening your rehearsal time so that you can spend more time learning and practicing. In order to master a piece of music, you will need to be able to sing the piece comfortably during rehearsal. You might also want to consider spending some time during rehearsals on solfege exercises and other vocal exercises to increase your skill level.

I hope my suggestions help to make singing the Mass a prayerful and peaceful experience for you.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

About Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung currently serves the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers, and music director at Our Lady of China Church.—(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Did they simplify these hymn harmonies?
    Choirs love to sing the famous & splendid tune called “INNSBRUCK.” Looking through a (Roman Catholic) German hymnal printed in 1952, I discovered what appears to be a simplified version of that hymn. In other words, their harmonization is much less complex than the version found in the Saint Jean de Brébeuf Hymnal (which is suitable for singing by SATB choir). Please download their 1952 harmonization (PDF) and let me know your thoughts. I really like the groovy Germanic INTRODUCTION they added.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

“By a decree of the synod of the diocese of Exeter in 1284, no one should claim any seat in a church; but whoever first entered a church for the purpose of devotion, might choose at his pleasure a place for praying.”

— A work by Fr. Husenbeth (d. 1872)

Recent Posts

  • Why A “Fugue” Here?
  • “Three Reasons To Shun Bad Hymns” • Daniel B. Marshall
  • “Puzzling Comment” • By A Respected FSSP Priest
  • New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
  • “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.