https://forum.musicasacra.com/forum/discussion/comment/23566#Comment_23566

Always wanted to know how to measure what is "effective" objectively. Attendance? Volume? Feedback? How you felt about it?

An important question, since it seems to be the gold standard of doing anything at all.

"The primary goal of all celebrations is to make a humanly attractive experience."

The PRIMARY goal. Is a HUMANLY attractive experience. Wow.

I got the chills, reading that.

"...and there's not another cause" ... well, that's a BIG condition.

“The unity of hearts is more profoundly achieved by the union of voices” was transcribed directly into the rubric of the Novus Missal, where it continues to cast shade on non-congregational singing during Communion, not only solo arias but motets, anthems, and chant.

I think that should be another thread, I have never experienced successful congregational singing during Communion.

Highly engaged and devout aren't (necessarily) the same thing, since they are measures of different criteria.

I agree, though, that our esteemed host could split this conversation off as its own thread.

I love the German approach to the Communion hymn -- the organist extemporizes during the procession itself, and then, during the Ablutions, transitions into the introduction for the Danklied, sung by everyone from their places. It means not everything needs a refrain.

I now do this at School Masses -- the choir have to go down to receive communion first, and so I introduce the hymn at some length while they do that, and when they return, we begin to sing.

Of course, this would be objected to on the basis of that pious 20 seconds of stark silence we are expected awkwardly to keep as the congregation kneel and the celebrant sits (or everyone sits with him, or only some, und so weiter) so we can pray after receiving Communion, continually anticipating the inevitable interruption of our private prayer by the priest's decision that "enough is enough."

My current pastor is a delight in this way. He does the ablutions, heads back to the chair, and immediately begins, "Let us pray." No awkward silence. We had the ablutions to pray, and we can time those visually, so it's not awkward at all.

In the OF, the rite directs that the Communion antiphon or song (not instrumental music) begin as the celebrant communes (*not* after ) and then through the communion by the faithful, underscoring the liturgical unity of that action.

In the OF, the rite directs that the Communion antiphon or song (not instrumental music) begin as the celebrant communes (*not* after ) and then through the communion by the faithful, underscoring the liturgical unity of that action.

In many OF environments, where the choir receives first and does so during Mass, I would imagine this is largely logistically impossible. I know that it would not be possible at my place of employment unless the choir were to receive after Mass instead of during (which I'm fine with but which many OF priests discourage).

I've never been to a Mass where the music begins as the priest consumes. It's always after he sets down the cup.

You cannot have literal unity of voices when some people are speaking, some are consuming, and many are distracted by walking, deferring to other members of the congregation, ... We are at this point of the Mass in communion with both those bodily present and the whole cloud of heavenly witnesses, but not by performing the same actions simultaneously. Even if all were willing it could not work, but some are deaf, some are dumb (or reluctant to sing), some may be blind (or have forgotten their glasses), many are illiterate; none of these conditions exclude us from the foretaste of the heavenly banquet.
The communitarian character of the procession is expressed by the cooperation required to form and maintain it despite the dynamics of people joining and leaving it.

I’ve never understood the commitment of liturgists and musicians to #86 quoted above. As with so many things in the NO, the rubrics as given don’t work practically, seem poorly thought through, and are in poor taste. The slavish alternation of psalm verses and antiphons one repetitions of one single song for 8-10 minutes just because the book “said to” is ridiculous. It contradicts basically realities of musical form and their ability to retain interest. Not is it ever practical for a congregation (or choir) to sing while receiving communion. Singing cuts against the proper disposition to receive the Blessed Sacrament.
As with so many NO ideas, it’s historical basis is in some mythically unprovable past and it stands against good taste and reason. Why promote it

Which one is Mass of Mountain Dew? I've heard of the My Little Pony Mass, but not that one.

I think, perhaps, that his comment comment should be purple?

@Liam
"To sing is to pray twice"

Jeffrey,

Oh dear me! Does it include clapping, and other similar behaviors?

Surely, you jest!