Magnificat text okay during communion?
  • musicman923
    Posts: 239
    Is it okay to use a Magnificat text during communion on the feast of the assumption? I know Marian hymns are not allowed during communion but does the Magnificat have an exception?? Thanks!!
    I'm thinking of either the gelineau or haas setting for communion on the feast of the assumption.
  • Andrew Motyka
    Posts: 946
    The Magnificat isn't really a Marian hymn (!). It was said by Mary, but it's not about or in praise of Mary. It is a worthy prayer that we should all emulate, and a given option in the Graduale Simplex for Marian Feasts, including the Assumption.

    I would say that it's appropriate at Communion anytime, but especially on Marian feasts.
    Thanked by 8Adam Wood Paul F. Ford Gavin Aristotle Esguerra CHGiffen jpal ClergetKubisz JulieColl
  • SalieriSalieri
    Posts: 3,177
    Most of the communion antiphons in the Common of the BVM in the Graduale are taken from the Magnificat, and the GR gives the Magnificat as the canticle to sing between the repetitions of the Ant.

    If the Church tells you to do it, why can't you?
    Thanked by 8SkirpR Paul F. Ford Gavin Aristotle Esguerra Andrew Motyka Andrew_Malton CHGiffen canadash
  • marajoymarajoy
    Posts: 781
    I do not believe there is any Church documentation saying "Marian hymns are not allowed at Communion." (Unless it is diocesan-specific?) The decision to use a Marian hymn at communion should be guided by the same principals that one uses to choose a hymn (which already replaces the propers, or tries to match them as closely as possible?) for any part of the Mass.
    Thanked by 3Gavin CHGiffen expeditus1
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,471
    He hath filled the hungry with good things.


    Very communiony, if you ask me.
    Thanked by 5Paul F. Ford Gavin Aristotle Esguerra Andrew Motyka JulieColl
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    Yes, it's used for the commuion chant at times, so it sounds like it's perfectly fine.
  • GavinGavin
    Posts: 2,799
    There is NO rule that Marian hymns aren't allowed during communion. There can be a legitimate discussion as to whether or not they are "aptus".
    Thanked by 6Adam Wood Andrew Motyka CHGiffen Ben expeditus1 marajoy
  • SkirpRSkirpR
    Posts: 854
    Maybe the "restriction" is more of a [justified?] reaction against a received EF low Mass devotional hymn sandwich.
    Thanked by 1Gavin
  • Liam
    Posts: 5,080
    One of JP2s encyclicals specifies the Magnificat as the preeminent Eucharistic canticle of the Church.
    Thanked by 2Adam Wood Joseph Michael
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,209
    It's not just legit, it's the first choice. The Graduale prescribes psalm / canticle verses for every communion antiphon, and on August 15, it prescribes the Magnificat.
  • Spriggo
    Posts: 122
    SEP has it as the Communion antiphon and verses for the Assumption.
  • musicman923
    Posts: 239
    Whoever told me Marian hymns are not allowed during communion was clearly incorrect. I believe it was a priest too! I just didn't know if there was a "church music rule" against Marian hymns/text at communion time.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,471
    The Church has a lot of "this is what you should do" when it comes to music.

    Most (not all, but most) of the time, when you hear someone say "it is not permitted to do X," it is not quite accurate. If "X" is something that was common 75 years ago, the likelihood that the "restriction" is basically made up skyrockets.
  • incantuincantu
    Posts: 989
    I don't have my Graduale Simplex in front of me, but isn't the Magnificat listed along with Ubi caritas as appropriate for communion ad libitum.?
  • Andrew Motyka
    Posts: 946
    You are correct, incantu. I thought as much, too, but didn't see it when I checked the Simplex this morning.

    As it turns out, when I went back and "read carefully," I found that it is listed as one of the ad libitum communios.

    Hmm. "Communio's" sounds like a traddy breakfast cereal.
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  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,471
    Hmm. "Communio's" sounds like a traddy breakfast cereal.


    mmmmm tradilicious
    Thanked by 5SkirpR Gavin Andrew Motyka Kathy CHGiffen
  • bkenney27bkenney27
    Posts: 444
    I remember hearing that programming Marian hymns during communion was discouraged by someone, somewhere on the premise that it shifted our focus away from Christ at the very point when Christ is physically made present.

    I think this is sound reasoning which is why I try to discourage the Ave Maria during communion for funerals, but there is nothing (to my knowledge) that specifically prohibits Marian hymns during communion. If it is the Proper, (which, in this case, it is) it is even ENCOURAGED.

    But yes, the Magnificat, though associated with Mary, is not an overtly Marian hymn. Even if it were, it is the appropriate choice for the Feast.
    Thanked by 2Spriggo Gavin
  • SalieriSalieri
    Posts: 3,177
    I remember hearing that programming Marian hymns during communion was discouraged by someone, somewhere


    Probably the same person or persons who claim that there is a distinction between "communion hymns" and "Blessed Sacrament hymns", alleging that you can't sing 'Verbum supernum prodiens' or 'Adoro te devote' during communion, but should instead sing things like 'Let us break bread together on our knees'
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  • PaixGioiaAmorPaixGioiaAmor
    Posts: 1,473
    Look at the propers. They don't avoid praising Mary on feast days.
    Thanked by 2Adam Wood Spriggo
  • Ally
    Posts: 227
    sing things like 'Let us break bread together on our knees'


    Anyone else, as a kid, sing, "When I fall on my face with my knees to the rising sun..."?
    Sorry couldn't help it.

    I really never understood the whole "Blessed Sacrament" and "communion" distinction, and I've heard that said several times (even a certain disposable missalette makes the distinction in their "thematic" groupings...). Mostly by people of a certain generation in this certain diocese...and that same crowd would make the argument about Marian hymns not being appropriate at communion. The sad thing is that people believe that because it sounds plausible enough to be true, and they don't know really about the propers.
  • GavinGavin
    Posts: 2,799
    "When I fall on my face with my knees to the rising sun..."

    Yoga?
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  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,973
    Nah, the pastor banned that dog in 1990 and said it did not correctly represent the blessed sacrament. He said, "It is not bread, it's Christ!"
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,471
    said it did not correctly represent the blessed sacrament. He said, "It is not bread, it's Christ!"


    That is not the problem with that song.
  • CharlesW
    Posts: 11,973
    The pastor is always right. If in doubt, ask the pastor.
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,471
    Oh- it doesn't matter. Any good excuse not to sing it is probably just as good as any other.
    Thanked by 1CharlesW
  • Andrew Motyka
    Posts: 946
    That is not the problem with that song.


    Ooh, ooh! Is it because it demands reverence to the Blessed Sacrament "on our knees?"

    We don't do that stuff anymore!

    *runs and hides*
    Thanked by 2Adam Wood Gavin
  • Adam WoodAdam Wood
    Posts: 6,471
    Ooh, ooh! Is it because it demands reverence to the Blessed Sacrament "on our knees?"


    Precisely. You know how much I hate that.
    Thanked by 1Gavin
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,209
    You know how much I hate that he hates that.

    Fixed your typo.
    Thanked by 1Adam Wood
  • ClergetKubiszClergetKubisz
    Posts: 1,912
    "My soul is filled with joy..."

    What more could be happening during Communion? I would say you're fine doing Magnificat settings during Communion, as was already said, especially on Marian feasts.

    I've also never been told by any priest, deacon, or bishop that Marian hymns were not allowed during Communion, although I tend to stick with Eucharistic hymns as much as possible during Communion: just makes sense. I will make an exception for various special feast days, especially Christmas and Easter, but also including feasts of the BVM.
  • chonakchonak
    Posts: 9,209
    Anyway, talk about excluding Blessed Sacrament hymns during Communion amounts to a horizontalizing tendency which would permit songs about love and unity and songs that emphasize meal symbolism but not songs about devotion to the person of Jesus.
    Thanked by 3CHGiffen JulieColl Salieri
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