[...the playing of the organ and all other musical instruments is prohibited during...] Offices and Masses of the Dead.
83. However, during the seasons, and days just mentioned, the following exceptions to the rule may be made:
...
c) the organ only may be used at Mass, and Vespers for the sole purpose of supporting the singing.
That's literally the definition of a motu proprio. Hayburn is mistaken here.Mgr. Hayburn called it a Motu Proprio. You can look it up. Are you saying that unless a Pope wrote it himself it is not an M.P? That would be novel.
The words signify that the provisions of the rescript were decided on by the pope personally, that is, not on the advice of the cardinals or others, but for reasons which he himself deemed sufficient. (Catholic Encyclopedia)
In Catholic canon law, it refers to a document issued by the pope on his own initiative and personally signed by him. Such a document may be addressed to the whole Church, to part of it, or to some individuals. A document issued motu proprio has its legal effect even if the reasons given for its issuance are found to be false or fraudulent, a fact which would normally render the document invalid. Its validity is based on its issuance by the pope by his own initiative, not upon the reasons alleged. (Wikipedia)
did the rubric hold throughout the centuries that the organ was never employed for the Requiem?
De musica sacra et sacra liturgia
Instruction on Sacred Music and Sacred Liturgy
Sacred Congregation for Rites - September 3, 1958
A papal document motu proprio contains words like this (from Tra le Sollicitudine):-This instruction on sacred music, and the sacred liturgy was submitted to His Holiness Pope Pius XII by the undersigned Cardinal Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Rites. His Holiness deigned to give his special approval and authority to all its prescriptions. He also commanded that it be promulgated, and be conscientiously observed by all to whom it applies.
We do therefore publish, motu proprio and with certain knowledge, Our present Instruction to which, as to a juridical code of sacred music, We will with the fullness of Our Apostolic Authority that the force of law be given, and We do by Our present handwriting impose its scrupulous observance on all.
Predmore cites the Caeremoniale Episcoporum and S.R.C. 2959, 1; 1490, 8; 4243, 5, and notes that "However, the organ may be used at these times and for these Masses as an accompaniment for the singing. Silent organa, cum silet cantus." The Catholic Encyclopedia also mentions that the organ may be used to accompany singing during Advent and Lent and at Masses for the dead, but that it must cease with the singing. It goes without saying that ecclesiastical legislation on music is often modified by custom and local regulations.we still need a source for the prohibition of the organ at a requiem before we can fully understand it.
ecclesiastical legislation on music is oftenmodified by custom and local regulations.ignored when inconvenient
That too! In all seriousness though, it's right there in the text:ignored when inconvenient
Local Ordinaries may determine more precisely the application of these prohibitions, and permissions according to the approved local or regional customs. (De musica sacra 83)
so neatly expressed by the aphorism cited by madorganist.... The organ is not to be used to express the sorrow of the occasion, but only to sustain the singing.
Yes, in the Caeremoniale Episcoporum: https://www.ceremoniaire.net/print/caer_ep/Caeremoniale_Ep-latin.pdfBut was there any legislation on this particular point?
Dubium: In churches where the congregation sings parts of the Ordinary of the Mass antiphonally with the schola cantorum, and where the faithful are accustomed to rely on the sound of the organ as their cue to sing, is such use of the organ sufficient to constitute "necessity" during Advent and Lent and at Masses for the dead?
Responsum: In the affirmative. (Protocol N. 39/2011L)
Exactly - an instruction given by the highest Vatican authority explicitly mentioning the lawfulness of organ accompaniment when solo organ playing is forbidden and explicitly authorizing local ordinaries to regulate its provisions, both prohibitive and permissive, according to approved local or regional customs. Sounds like a hard pill to swallow for some here!Since it's merely an "Instruction" given by the highest Vatican authority, well.........who cares??
Hermeneutic of continuity....
Still waiting on the regulations, aren't we? As to the Mass, my impression is that even apart from 'concert Requiems', so-called, organ alternatim verses were the weekday norm for Dies Irae: they're abundant in 18c-19c sources and testimony, from Goethe's stage directions in the cathedral scene in Faust I to Delacroix's account of what he listened to while painting St. Suplice.the Mass (and the regulations) of the last 1500 years are just fine.
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