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Question Title Posted By Question Date
Singing Priest Adelle Saturday, August 28, 2004

Question:

We have had a priest at our parish a couple of times that has a "singing ministry." What I mean by this is that he comes to the church and does concerts for us. Usually during his visits, he also celebrates the Mass and during his homily he always finds some opportunity to sing something. In fact, he is prepared beforehand with a sound system set up over at the side of the altar equipped with a microphone that he carries despite the fact that he is also wearing a lapel mike during the homily. It all appears to be very performance like to me and it is somewhat distracting. He also brings some form of artwork to put on the altar during his Mass. It is very pretty but not like anything I have ever seen on the altar before. And finally, in the lobby of the church he has tapes and cd's that he has recorded on display for sale. Somehow this sort of ministry does not seem to fit into my idea of Mass. Granted he has a lovely voice and I am glad he can work it into his ministry, but I don't think Mass is the place to plug his "talent." Am I just splitting hairs or is this sort of ministry misplaced in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?

Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek

Dear Adelle,

It is difficult to comment without knowing more or hearing the actual singing, but here is what I know for sure.

It is absolutely wrong to celebrate Mass within the context of a concert.  A concert is not Mass, and Mass is not a concert.  Although they share some limited similarities, the ideas of each are totally different.

The altar is not a display shelf.  Sacrifices are placed on altars, not exhibits.

If there is nothing scandalous or theologically incorrect about the recordings, then I really don't see a problem with offering them for sale.

Mr. Slavek
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers.

(b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks.

(c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively.