Florida Catholic | ‘We are a singing people’

‘We are a singing people’

Liturgical musicians hear expert discuss new document on music in the liturgy.

Published: 02.08.08

Benedictine Father Anthony Ruff, an expert on Gregorian chant and liturgical music who teaches at St. John University in Collegeville, Minn., spoke to archdiocesan liturgical musicians regarding the U.S. bishops’ new document on music in worship, “Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship.”
ANA RODRIGUEZ–SOTO | FC

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• “Many Voices, One Song,” a bilingual conference for pastoral musicians, is scheduled for June 13-14 at Barry University, 11300 N.E. Second Ave., Miami Shores. For information call 305-458-9919.

• For information on joining the Miami chapter of the National Pastoral Musicians
or e-mail: npmmiami-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

MIAMI | Yes, Catholics should sing at Mass, and not just on Sundays.

That is the message contained in the new U.S. bishops’ document, “Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship,” which was published in November 2007.

Benedictine Father Anthony Ruff, an expert on Gregorian chant and integrating modern music into the liturgy, reviewed the document — along with 45 years of post-Vatican II teachings on music and the liturgy — during the jubilee day for pastoral musicians held Jan. 26 at St. Mary Cathedral.

“Before Vatican II, you could do a low Mass in 40 minutes without music. Now the bishops are saying that singing is really appropriate at every liturgy. We are a singing people. Our faith calls us to sing at every liturgy,” said Father Ruff, who teaches theology, liturgical music and Gregorian chant at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn.

Of course, the singing should be of good quality and its effect should be to lead people to prayer and to deeper reflection on the mysteries of faith. Not all Catholic parishes are there yet, Father Ruff pointed out. “We’re slowly learning and yes, I believe we’re getting better.”

That is why the bishops emphasize the need for “musical competence” and call for more training for those involved in music ministry at the parishes, especially training at the diocesan level.

The bishops’ document also calls for greater use of Gregorian chant. “(The bishops) are hoping that we can be drawn together by deepening our roots in the Catholic tradition,” Father Ruff said.

But that does not mean that other musical styles should be excluded from the liturgy.

“Chant is a treasure. It’s part of the fabric of what we’re doing. But chant should not be a weapon,” he emphasized. “Use it as a gift. It doesn’t mean anyone is holier or more Catholic than anyone else.” In fact, the bishops’ document clearly states, quoting from the Vatican II document “Sacrosanctum Concilium” (“Constitution on the Liturgy”), that “the church has not adopted any particular style of art as her own.”

“They’re not saying, ‘These are the approved genres,’” Father Ruff said.

What makes music holy, or appropriate for worship, is whether “it fits the ritual and invites people to the ritual,” he said. “Music should lead us to God and the fullness of the Christian message.”

Among those who heard Father Ruff’s talk was Margaret Brack, director of liturgy at St. Justin Martyr Parish in Key Largo. She announced that the Miami chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians is in the process of being “resurrected.” She urged those present — about 30 music directors and choir members from throughout the archdiocese — to join the group and urge others in their parishes to do the same.

“Music is the foundation, but we have to understand more than music,” said Dominican Sister Mary Frances Fleischaker, who has 45 years of experience in liturgical music and now teaches at Barry University. “We have to understand the role of music in the church, the role of a pastoral musician, a liturgical musician.” Father Ruff agreed, urging both musicians and nonmusicians to “read the (bishops’) document. Deepen your knowledge of the liturgy. Deepen your knowledge of music’s role.”

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