Edward McNamara, LC
(ZENIT News / Rome, 09.10.2024).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and sacramental theology and director of the Sacerdos Institute at the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum university.
Q: During a Holy Hour without a priest and no leader of song, can a recording of the Tantum Ergo and O Salutaris Hostia be used to help the congregation sing? Can this be an exception to the rule? — R.C., Hayesville, North Carolina
A: I think our reader refers to the overall prohibition of using taped music during the liturgy. We have written about this on several occasions, most recently in October 2022.
We can recall just one or two of the relevant documents:
The U.S. bishops’ conference 2007 document “Sing to the Lord” says:
“93. Recorded music lacks the authenticity provided by a living liturgical assembly gathered for the Sacred Liturgy. While recorded music might be used advantageously outside the Liturgy as an aid in the teaching of new music, it should not, as a general norm, be used within the Liturgy.
“94. Some exceptions to this principle should be noted. Recorded music may be used to accompany the community’s song during a procession outside and, when used carefully, in Masses with children. Occasionally, it might be used as an aid to prayer, for example, during long periods of silence in a communal celebration of reconciliation. However, recorded music should never become a substitute for the community’s singing.”
A similar document from the Canadian bishops’ conference was issued in 2015, stating:
“33 The human voice: The human voice should always hold a primary place in the music-making of the Church. For this reason, recorded music must never replace the singing of the assembly, nor should it displace the ministry of other musicians. Only in cases of necessity may recorded music be used in the liturgy for the purpose of supporting the song of the assembly.”
As we see above, while restating the basic rules and principles, “Sing to the Lord” would allow for some exceptions.
It is noteworthy that the exceptions mentioned refer to mixed situations where the liturgical celebration proper is interspersed with elements of popular piety such as processions or communal penitential services.
In this latter example the liturgical aspect of the sacrament of reconciliation is mixed with less-regulated elements such as how to conduct a community penitential service that prepares the faithful for reconciliation and engages them in prayer as they await their turn to confess.
All the documents insist that recorded music should not replace singing.
Since adoration of the Blessed Sacrament could be classed among such celebrations which mingle strictly liturgical elements such as exposition and Benediction along with less-regulated elements such as song, public reflections and periods of silence during the time of adoration, I believe that there could be leeway in using recorded music to support the assembly’s singing.
That said, however, I would be wary of using recordings of hymns such as Tantum Ergo, which are liturgical works traditionally associated with Benediction. Since we are speaking of a Holy Hour in the absence of a priest, this rite will be lacking.
I think there is no difficulty in accompanying the lay minister of exposition with a traditional exposition hymn such as O Salutaris Hostia but without using recorded music. The same can be said for reservation of the Blessed Sacrament, although song is less necessary at this moment.
The place for eventual use of recorded music to support singing would be at different moments during the Holy Hour. There are many Latin and vernacular hymns which can be sung to foster Eucharistic fervor and devotion.
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