The importance of Liturgy on Mass singing: historical analysis of Church documents, under the light of Vatican II

Abstract

The rite of the Mass has undergone changes that have transformed the way the faithful participated in the celebrations. On the occasion of the Second Vatican Council, there were changes which were intended to bring about a more active participation of the assembly in the liturgical act. The distance between the canticle and the liturgical rite calls for an investigation, for it is necessary that we know the reason for this happening even today. There is evidence that many chants sung in celebrations are discordant with the liturgical time, and the lack of a correct understanding of the teachings of the Church may be the reason for this, since there are several ecclesial documents on the subject. The present work intends to demonstrate, through the analysis of Church documents and the ideas of renowned authors, specialists in liturgy, the importance of music having a liturgical objective. This article is a bibliographical research, which through the analysis of Church documents mainly, seeks to highlight the importance of liturgy linked to music. Since the Motu Proprio Tra le Sollecitudini, the Church has been regulating how to perform the song to achieve a true liturgical action in the Eucharistic celebration. It should not be forgotten, however, that the participation of the assembly in the Latin Mass was restricted, and there was no possibility of innovation in singing. With the Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium, the lay participation was expanded, as well as the introduction of the vernacular in the celebrations. Subsequent Church documents have ratified the expansion of secular participation and the local language has made it possible to include new chants in celebrations, including popular ones, which were previously banned. In the Latin mass, the liturgy was more restricted to the clergy; With the council reform, the laity gained more space. Today, the Church's challenge is to preserve the liturgical meaning of singing, respecting popular cultures, but further deepening the lay liturgical-musical formation.