What role does music serve to accompany liturgical actions?
The church teaches that music, particularly sacred song, is an integral part of the liturgy, not something tacked on. Think about the purpose of the various songs at Mass. The gathering or entrance song accompanies the gathering of our hearts and minds into the beginning of the liturgy, as well as the entrance of the sacred ministers. The Kyrie (Lord, have mercy) accompanies our recognition of the mercy of God, whose forgiveness is always available to us. The Gloria (Glory to God) accompanies the turning of our hearts and minds to the praise of the Holy Trinity. The gospel acclamation accompanies the movement of the Book of Gospels from the altar to the ambo and prepares us to hear the proclamation. Sung intercessions accompany the raising of our needs to the Father, through the Son, in the Holy Spirit. We sing at the procession of the gifts to accompany and celebrate the communal aspects of the procession, according to the Roman rules for the celebration of Mass. We sing the Sanctus (
The church teaches that music, particularly sacred song, is an integral part of the liturgy, not something tacked on. Think about the purpose of the various songs at Mass. The gathering or entrance song accompanies the gathering of our hearts and minds into the beginning of the liturgy, as well as the entrance of the sacred ministers. The Kyrie (Lord, have mercy) accompanies our recognition of the mercy of God, whose forgiveness is always available to us. The Gloria (Glory to God) accompanies the turning of our hearts and minds to the praise of the Holy Trinity.
