It’s Time We Stop Singing About Ourselves at Mass, by Mark Haas

What is “good” Mass music? As a parish music director, I have often pondered this question. The Church gives clear instructions concerning the implementation of music within the Mass. For instance, the Church stipulates that the most important thing to be sung is the dialogue between the priest and the people: the Order of the Mass.

The next important thing is the Ordinary of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, etc.). The next thing sung should be the Propers (Introit, Responsorial Psalm [Gradual], Gospel Acclamation verse, Offertory antiphon, and Communion antiphon). The liturgical documents give provision for some of these proper antiphons to be replaced by “another suitable hymn.” …