Liturgical Song and Evangelisation
By Michael Mangan
“Oh, so you’re involved at your church … what do you do?”
“I just play guitar and sing …”
If parish music ministers see their role as “just playing or singing at Mass,” many amazing opportunities are being overlooked.
In 1975, Pope Paul VI wrote that the Church exists in order that it may evangelise. Indeed, nearly 2000 years earlier, Jesus himself proclaimed this very same priority in what we know as the Great Commission, “Go, make disciples, baptise them and teach them to observe what I have commanded you.” (Matt 28:19-20)
Making disciples, evangelisation, is meant to be Christianity’s “core business.”
The word “evangelisation” can be confronting for many Catholics as it conjures up images of door knocking, handing out leaflets or preaching on street corners. While these “out there” methods can be part of evangelisation for some, there are many other ways, and opportunities, to evangelise.
One of these opportunities is right in front of us every weekend. And the opportunity can be maximised by doing what we are already doing, intentionally and well.
“I just play guitar and sing …”
If parish music ministers see their role as “just playing or singing at Mass,” many amazing opportunities are being overlooked.
In 1975, Pope Paul VI wrote that the Church exists in order that it may evangelise. Indeed, nearly 2000 years earlier, Jesus himself proclaimed this very same priority in what we know as the Great Commission, “Go, make disciples, baptise them and teach them to observe what I have commanded you.” (Matt 28:19-20)
Making disciples, evangelisation, is meant to be Christianity’s “core business.”
The word “evangelisation” can be confronting for many Catholics as it conjures up images of door knocking, handing out leaflets or preaching on street corners. While these “out there” methods can be part of evangelisation for some, there are many other ways, and opportunities, to evangelise.
One of these opportunities is right in front of us every weekend. And the opportunity can be maximised by doing what we are already doing, intentionally and well.
In the Catholic Church, liturgy, especially Sunday Mass, is the highpoint of our Christian lives, our “source and summit” as the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (CSL #10) says. It is the primary place that we gather as a Christian community, where we come into contact with our regular parishioners, and often also with those who may not be part of our regular worshiping community, or even part of the church. There may be Catholics who have drifted away from the Church, visitors who have never been connected with the Church, and seekers who may be “trying our parish out” – or trying this whole “Church thing” out for the first time.
For some, it is their annual visit for Christmas or Easter, or perhaps a family baptism, first communion or confirmation. What happens from the moment these people park the car, until they return to it 70 minutes later, is a God-given window for evangelisation. And it is incumbent on every member of the parish, and especially all those who serve in liturgical ministries, to prioritise this sacred opportunity.
While there are myriad elements in vibrant, meaningful and engaging liturgy, research and anecdotal evidence suggests that the big three “first impression” things are homilies, hymns and hospitality; relevant, meaningful and inspiring preaching; a warm, inclusive and welcoming community; and vibrant, engaging and participatory music and song. As a pastoral musician, I would like to explore the role that music and song can play in evangelisation.
For some, it is their annual visit for Christmas or Easter, or perhaps a family baptism, first communion or confirmation. What happens from the moment these people park the car, until they return to it 70 minutes later, is a God-given window for evangelisation. And it is incumbent on every member of the parish, and especially all those who serve in liturgical ministries, to prioritise this sacred opportunity.
While there are myriad elements in vibrant, meaningful and engaging liturgy, research and anecdotal evidence suggests that the big three “first impression” things are homilies, hymns and hospitality; relevant, meaningful and inspiring preaching; a warm, inclusive and welcoming community; and vibrant, engaging and participatory music and song. As a pastoral musician, I would like to explore the role that music and song can play in evangelisation.
Liturgical Music
Evangelisation is fundamentally about sharing the Good News of Jesus and, hopefully, an experience of Christian community with others. Liturgical song is a powerful medium for doing exactly that and it can operate in a number of ways, and at different levels.
The Church considers music to be a vital element in liturgy. It is of “pre-eminent” importance because “as sacred song united to words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy” (CSL #112) due to the many ways in which it enhances, contributes to, and is integral in liturgical celebrations. From an evangelisation perspective, it is worth highlighting three of these ways.
Aesthetic Understanding
The addition of music to text can facilitate a more profound “heart connection,” to add new and deeper understanding and meaning through another aesthetic experience. As Music in Catholic Worship reminds us, “in addition to expressing texts, music can also unveil a dimension of meaning and feeling, a communication of ideas and intuitions which words alone cannot yield.” (MCW #24)
O breathe on me, O breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what thou dost love
And do what thou wouldst do.
Reading or reciting the text of “O Breathe on Me” is one thing, but singing it to the beautiful traditional tune, ST COLUMBA, is a completely different and more uplifting experience. So, our first point is that singing can add deeper aesthetic meanings and understandings to a text, theme or message – a powerful experience for everyone, including, and especially, seekers and visitors.
Evangelisation is fundamentally about sharing the Good News of Jesus and, hopefully, an experience of Christian community with others. Liturgical song is a powerful medium for doing exactly that and it can operate in a number of ways, and at different levels.
The Church considers music to be a vital element in liturgy. It is of “pre-eminent” importance because “as sacred song united to words, it forms a necessary or integral part of the solemn liturgy” (CSL #112) due to the many ways in which it enhances, contributes to, and is integral in liturgical celebrations. From an evangelisation perspective, it is worth highlighting three of these ways.
Aesthetic Understanding
The addition of music to text can facilitate a more profound “heart connection,” to add new and deeper understanding and meaning through another aesthetic experience. As Music in Catholic Worship reminds us, “in addition to expressing texts, music can also unveil a dimension of meaning and feeling, a communication of ideas and intuitions which words alone cannot yield.” (MCW #24)
O breathe on me, O breath of God,
Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what thou dost love
And do what thou wouldst do.
Reading or reciting the text of “O Breathe on Me” is one thing, but singing it to the beautiful traditional tune, ST COLUMBA, is a completely different and more uplifting experience. So, our first point is that singing can add deeper aesthetic meanings and understandings to a text, theme or message – a powerful experience for everyone, including, and especially, seekers and visitors.
Celebration & Unity
Human beings have an innate need to connect, to belong, and to participate in community. This is something that a Christian community can offer to those who are searching, and to those who may “accidentally” experience it, such as when a less connected family participates in a preparation process for the sacramental initiation of a child. Within liturgy, music and song have much to offer as “the quality of joy and enthusiasm which music adds to community worship cannot be gained in any other way.” (MCW #23)
In addition to a sense of celebration, community song enables “the full conscious and active participation … which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy.” (CSL #14) The document, Sing to the Lord, reminds us that “singing is one of the primary ways that the assembly of the faithful participates actively in the Liturgy” (STL # 26) and through shared participatory song, a disparate group of individuals can experience and exemplify unity as the living, singing Body of Christ.
Once again, this can be a powerful experience for seekers and visitors (not to mention regular parishioners) – provided that they are able to participate. Here is where liturgy teams and music ministers must take great care in the choice of music and in the way it is lead. If evangelisation is a parish priority, as it should be everywhere, we need to consider our liturgical music repertoire, and leadership, through the eyes of a seeker/visitor.
This is especially important in the choice of Gathering Songs. After a warm welcome at the church door, a vibrant and engaging song can “set the scene” for the celebration to follow. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal advises that one of the four purposes of the gathering song is to “foster the unity of those who have been gathered.” (GIRM #47)
This sense of unity and celebration can only be fostered if the assembly can easily and joyfully participate in the song that has been chosen. If people are unable to sing the Gathering Song, they often tend to adopt an attitude of “passive consumer” for the rest of the liturgy.
In addition to the well-known musical, liturgical and pastoral judgments for the suitability of songs for liturgy, some other key specific questions to bear in mind are:
• Can the “average” person in the assembly sing this song?
• Is it in a key that is suitable for the assembly, rather than what suits the choir or cantor?
• Is it known? If not, can at least the refrain be learnt easily?
• Is it vibrant and engaging?
• Are the music ministers leading in a way that invites, and expects participation, or are they “performing” for the assembly?
• Does the song use “we, us, our” rather than “I, me, my” language?
(After all the gathering song is about unity, not individualism.)
One of the greatest enemies of vibrant liturgical song is incorrect tempo. While songs are occasionally played too quickly, the overwhelming complaint that is heard is that “the music was just too slow!” It is so important for music ministers to set the correct tempo for what is meant to be a vibrant, “upbeat” song. Any song can be turned in to a dirge by playing it too slowly! Listen to a recording of song. If tempo is an issue, download a metronome app to a smartphone and check the tempo (visually with the sound off!) before playing the introduction. Tempo can be the thing that make the difference between vibrant engagement and tedious boredom!
Human beings have an innate need to connect, to belong, and to participate in community. This is something that a Christian community can offer to those who are searching, and to those who may “accidentally” experience it, such as when a less connected family participates in a preparation process for the sacramental initiation of a child. Within liturgy, music and song have much to offer as “the quality of joy and enthusiasm which music adds to community worship cannot be gained in any other way.” (MCW #23)
In addition to a sense of celebration, community song enables “the full conscious and active participation … which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy.” (CSL #14) The document, Sing to the Lord, reminds us that “singing is one of the primary ways that the assembly of the faithful participates actively in the Liturgy” (STL # 26) and through shared participatory song, a disparate group of individuals can experience and exemplify unity as the living, singing Body of Christ.
Once again, this can be a powerful experience for seekers and visitors (not to mention regular parishioners) – provided that they are able to participate. Here is where liturgy teams and music ministers must take great care in the choice of music and in the way it is lead. If evangelisation is a parish priority, as it should be everywhere, we need to consider our liturgical music repertoire, and leadership, through the eyes of a seeker/visitor.
This is especially important in the choice of Gathering Songs. After a warm welcome at the church door, a vibrant and engaging song can “set the scene” for the celebration to follow. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal advises that one of the four purposes of the gathering song is to “foster the unity of those who have been gathered.” (GIRM #47)
This sense of unity and celebration can only be fostered if the assembly can easily and joyfully participate in the song that has been chosen. If people are unable to sing the Gathering Song, they often tend to adopt an attitude of “passive consumer” for the rest of the liturgy.
In addition to the well-known musical, liturgical and pastoral judgments for the suitability of songs for liturgy, some other key specific questions to bear in mind are:
• Can the “average” person in the assembly sing this song?
• Is it in a key that is suitable for the assembly, rather than what suits the choir or cantor?
• Is it known? If not, can at least the refrain be learnt easily?
• Is it vibrant and engaging?
• Are the music ministers leading in a way that invites, and expects participation, or are they “performing” for the assembly?
• Does the song use “we, us, our” rather than “I, me, my” language?
(After all the gathering song is about unity, not individualism.)
One of the greatest enemies of vibrant liturgical song is incorrect tempo. While songs are occasionally played too quickly, the overwhelming complaint that is heard is that “the music was just too slow!” It is so important for music ministers to set the correct tempo for what is meant to be a vibrant, “upbeat” song. Any song can be turned in to a dirge by playing it too slowly! Listen to a recording of song. If tempo is an issue, download a metronome app to a smartphone and check the tempo (visually with the sound off!) before playing the introduction. Tempo can be the thing that make the difference between vibrant engagement and tedious boredom!
Singing Scripture
Offering people an experience of Jesus and his message is the cornerstone of evangelisation, and scripture is one of the best ways of sharing this message, and getting to know Jesus. Singing scripture texts is an excellent way to connect seekers with the core tenets of our faith. Whether it is the psalms of the Old Testament, or theological insights from St Paul, song adds a whole new dimension of understanding, connection and memorability. Singing Jesus’ core teachings of love, peace, forgiveness, joy and justice helps embed them into people’s hearts, minds and lives. So, choose some songs that have lyrics based around texts such as “Love one another as I have loved you,” “I am the way, the truth and the life,” “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full” on the lips and into the hearts of the liturgical assembly.
Offering people an experience of Jesus and his message is the cornerstone of evangelisation, and scripture is one of the best ways of sharing this message, and getting to know Jesus. Singing scripture texts is an excellent way to connect seekers with the core tenets of our faith. Whether it is the psalms of the Old Testament, or theological insights from St Paul, song adds a whole new dimension of understanding, connection and memorability. Singing Jesus’ core teachings of love, peace, forgiveness, joy and justice helps embed them into people’s hearts, minds and lives. So, choose some songs that have lyrics based around texts such as “Love one another as I have loved you,” “I am the way, the truth and the life,” “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full” on the lips and into the hearts of the liturgical assembly.
Music & Missionary Disciples
In the context of evangelisation, there are two complementary opportunities for music to engage with, and to inspire two different groups - “evangelisers” and “evangelisees.” In addition to the discussion about seekers/visitors above, music can also be a tool to help our regular parishioners focus on the Church’s, and their core business of sharing the Good News.
Song can inspire and motivate them to accept and live the challenge to make the move from “comfortable Catholics” to missionary disciples. A statement that is often attributed to the philosopher Plato is, “Let me make the songs of a nation and I care not who makes its laws.” He knew the inspirational, motivational and galvanising power of song. Think of the spine-tingling You’ll Never Walk Alone at a Liverpool football game, or the National Anthem before a major national or sports event. (It’s worth noting that participatory community song is much more powerful and inspirational than listening to a soloist perform a “vocal gymnastics” version of the same anthem. Participation and community “buy-in” are crucial.)
This motivational aspect of liturgical music is highlighted in Sing to the Lord which states that “charity, justice and evangelization are … the normal consequences of liturgical celebration. Particularly inspired by sung participation, [the Assembly] goes forth to spread the Gospel with full force and compassion. (STL #9)
As a liturgist, I will tell you that a recessional song at the end of Mass is barely mentioned in liturgical documents, is not important and may be dispensed with. However, as a Pastoral musician with an eye on evangelisation and forming missionary disciples, I suggest that an inspiring and motivational Recessional or Sending Song is very important as a final reminder to the members of the assembly of our mission for the week ahead. Send them out humming the mission as they go to “announce the gospel of the Lord.”
In the context of evangelisation, there are two complementary opportunities for music to engage with, and to inspire two different groups - “evangelisers” and “evangelisees.” In addition to the discussion about seekers/visitors above, music can also be a tool to help our regular parishioners focus on the Church’s, and their core business of sharing the Good News.
Song can inspire and motivate them to accept and live the challenge to make the move from “comfortable Catholics” to missionary disciples. A statement that is often attributed to the philosopher Plato is, “Let me make the songs of a nation and I care not who makes its laws.” He knew the inspirational, motivational and galvanising power of song. Think of the spine-tingling You’ll Never Walk Alone at a Liverpool football game, or the National Anthem before a major national or sports event. (It’s worth noting that participatory community song is much more powerful and inspirational than listening to a soloist perform a “vocal gymnastics” version of the same anthem. Participation and community “buy-in” are crucial.)
This motivational aspect of liturgical music is highlighted in Sing to the Lord which states that “charity, justice and evangelization are … the normal consequences of liturgical celebration. Particularly inspired by sung participation, [the Assembly] goes forth to spread the Gospel with full force and compassion. (STL #9)
As a liturgist, I will tell you that a recessional song at the end of Mass is barely mentioned in liturgical documents, is not important and may be dispensed with. However, as a Pastoral musician with an eye on evangelisation and forming missionary disciples, I suggest that an inspiring and motivational Recessional or Sending Song is very important as a final reminder to the members of the assembly of our mission for the week ahead. Send them out humming the mission as they go to “announce the gospel of the Lord.”
Final Words
As parish liturgy and music ministry teams, we are called to work with the resources and gifts that we have available and commit to do, and be, the very best that we can with what we have. We don’t need to “ditch” the organ for guitar and drums (you may be lucky enough to have both!) And there is no necessity to choose between contemporary or traditional music – we can definitely have chanted dialogues, O Breathe On Me and Hearts on Fire all working together in the same liturgy. What is required is an intentional choice of music that serves the liturgy and the assembly well, while also considering the opportunity for evangelisation through engaging liturgical music which is lead confidently and competently by music ministers who are committed to serving the mission of the Church.
“Oh, so you’re involved at your church … what do you do?”
“I joyfully share the Good News of Jesus by leading our community in meaningful, vibrant and engaging song. Come and join us!”
As parish liturgy and music ministry teams, we are called to work with the resources and gifts that we have available and commit to do, and be, the very best that we can with what we have. We don’t need to “ditch” the organ for guitar and drums (you may be lucky enough to have both!) And there is no necessity to choose between contemporary or traditional music – we can definitely have chanted dialogues, O Breathe On Me and Hearts on Fire all working together in the same liturgy. What is required is an intentional choice of music that serves the liturgy and the assembly well, while also considering the opportunity for evangelisation through engaging liturgical music which is lead confidently and competently by music ministers who are committed to serving the mission of the Church.
“Oh, so you’re involved at your church … what do you do?”
“I joyfully share the Good News of Jesus by leading our community in meaningful, vibrant and engaging song. Come and join us!”
Michael Mangan is Liturgy Educator at Liturgy Brisbane, and leader of liturgical music at All Saints' Parish, Albany Creek.
Images from Unsplash and Pixabay. Used under license/with permission.
Images from Unsplash and Pixabay. Used under license/with permission.