The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-11-16
SINGING
Suggestions Regarding the Physical
Prerequisites to the Introduction
of Congregational Singing.

of Congregational Singing.
written for The Catholic Bulletin by
VIM. r. Markoe.)
The Most Reverend Archbishop of
St. Paul recently issued a letter to
his clergy ordering that during Bene-
diction of the Blessed Sacrament "the
chanting, in all cases, will be strictly
Gregorian, no figured music, no chant
ing in parts, being allowed under any
pretext. By continued hearing of the
simple, though most beauteous Gre
gorian chant, it is hoped that the con-
gregation will be gradually brought to
unite their voices with the regular
choir-a beginning in our churches, it
is devoutly desired, of more general
congregational singing"
While this ruling will doubtless
appear to many as somewhat drastic,
especially where Benediction follows
Vespers that have been sung entirely
in Gregorian, yet the motive assigned,
viz, the restoration of the beautiful
custom of congregational singing, is
so excellent that it should prove all
sufficient for Catholic choirs, even
! though experience teaches that the
mere hearing of Gregorian chant, no
matter how familiar it may become,
is not sufficient of itself to induce a
| congregation to sing it.
| 1t is regretable fact that the aver
age English-speaking Catholic congre-
cation in the United States knows
about as little of the peculiar fascina-
ton of congregational singing as it
knows of the exhilaration and intoxi-
cation that takes possession of horses
and riders in great cavalry charge
when whole squadron sweeps for
ward, as if by inspiration, in a solid
phalanx and with irristible momen-
tum!
Yet the Able Gaume in his "Cate-
chism of Perseverance" tells us that
"Chant is natural to man. It is essen
TALLY religious; for among all people
the first use made of it has been to
celebrate the praises of the Deity, and
the Catholic Church which has pre-
served whatever was good and truth
full in the ancient traditions, has pre-
served the chant or song"
While it is certainly true that Faith
cometh by hearing" yet not so con-
gregational singing. With all the good
will in the world it is not possible to
introduce it in the absence of certain
physical prerequisites. Several things
are essential
First, the music must be suitable to
the purpose. Nothing is SO admir-
ably suited to this purpose as the
Psalms of David set to the eight Gre
| gorian tones, or modes. Hence YES
pers is the easiest service at which
to introduce congregational singing.
Second, the entire congregation
must be provided with books, all point
ed exactly alike, and, if possible, with
the words written out in full under
the proper Gregorian tone in modern
notation, as in the popular and in
expensive little Vesperals by Rev. F.
x. Haberl or Father J. B. Young, S. J.
Third, there must be nucleus of
singers for the congregation to rally
round, and this nucleus must not be
located behind their backs in a dis
tant choir loft, from which the sound
waves are compelled to turn somer-
sault before reaching the ears of the
hearers! But it must be in front of
them where it can be seen and heard
in the natural way. Hence the desir-
ability of the vested choir of boys
and men recommended by our Holy
Father located in the sanctuary, or
Choir" properly so-cal1ed
Fourth, a real pipe organ Cor in
small churches Vocalion), should be
used instead of an ordinary reed or
gan. The reason for this is that the
large sound waves produced by the
powerful and sonorous pedal and bour-
don stops of the king of Musical
Instruments" form a solid foundation
on which the entire congregation,
young and old, high and low voices,
clear or cracked voices, can unite in
unison to sing the praises of the Al
mighty. the pipe organ, like charity,
covering multitude of sins-in con-
gregational singing!
Fifth, it will greatly facilitate mat
tiers if the number and page of the