SECONDVATICANECUMENICALCOUNCIL

MUSICAMSACRAM
INSTRUCTIONONMUSICINTHELITURGY
5March,1967

Preface
1.Sacredmusic,inthoseaspectswhichconcerntheliturgicalrenewal,wascarefullyconsideredby
theSecondVaticanEcumenicalCouncil.Itexplaineditsroleindivineservices,issuedanumberof
principlesandlawsonthissubjectintheConstitutionontheLiturgy,anddevotedtoitanentire
chapterofthesameConstitution.
2.ThedecisionsoftheCouncilhavealreadybeguntobeputintoeffectintherecentlyundertaken
liturgicalrenewal.Butthenewnormsconcerningthearrangementofthesacredritesandtheactive
participationofthefaithfulhavegivenrisetoseveralproblemsregardingsacredmusicandits
ministerialrole.Theseproblemsappeartobeabletobesolvedbyexpoundingmorefullycertain
relevantprinciplesoftheConstitutionontheLiturgy.
3.ThereforetheConsiliumsetuptoimplementtheConstitutionontheLiturgy,ontheinstructionsof
theHolyFather,hascarefullyconsideredthesequestionsandpreparedthepresentInstruction.This
doesnot,however,gathertogetherallthelegislationonsacredmusicitonlyestablishestheprincipal
normswhichseemtobemorenecessaryforourownday.Itis,asitwere,acontinuationand
complementoftheprecedingInstructionofthisSacredCongregation,preparedbythissame
Consiliumon26September1964,forthecorrectimplementationoftheLiturgyConstitution.
4.Itistobehopedthatpastorsofsouls,musiciansandthefaithfulwillgladlyacceptthesenormsand
putthemintopractice,unitingtheireffortstoattainthetruepurposeofsacredmusic,"whichisthe
gloryofGodandthesanctificationofthefaithful."[1]
(a)Bysacredmusicisunderstoodthatwhich,beingcreatedforthecelebrationofdivineworship,is
endowedwithacertainholysincerityofform.[2]
(b)Thefollowingcomeunderthetitleofsacredmusichere:Gregorianchant,sacredpolyphonyinits
variousformsbothancientandmodern,sacredmusicfortheorganandotherapprovedinstruments,
andsacredpopularmusic,beitliturgicalorsimplyreligious.[3]
I.SomeGeneralNorms
5.Liturgicalworshipisgivenamorenobleformwhenitiscelebratedinsong,withtheministersof
eachdegreefulfillingtheirministryandthepeopleparticipatinginit.[4]
Indeed,throughthisform,prayerisexpressedinamoreattractiveway,themysteryoftheliturgy,
withitshierarchicalandcommunitynature,ismoreopenlyshown,theunityofheartsismore

profoundlyachievedbytheunionofvoices,mindsaremoreeasilyraisedtoheavenlythingsbythe
beautyofthesacredrites,andthewholecelebrationmoreclearlyprefiguresthatheavenlyliturgy
whichisenactedintheholycityofJerusalem.
Pastorsofsoulswillthereforedoalltheycantoachievethisformofcelebration.
Theywilltrytoworkouthowthatassignmentofdifferentpartstobeperformedanddutiestobe
fulfilled,whichcharacterizessungcelebrations,maybetransferredeventocelebrationswhicharenot
sung,butatwhichthepeoplearepresent.Aboveallonemusttakeparticularcarethatthenecessary
ministersareobtainedandthatthesearesuitable,andthattheactiveparticipationofthepeopleis
encouraged.
Thepracticalpreparationforeachliturgicalcelebrationshouldbedoneinaspiritofcooperationby
allpartiesconcerned,undertheguidanceoftherectorofthechurch,whetheritbeinritual,pastoral
ormusicalmaters.
6.Theproperarrangementofaliturgicalcelebrationrequiresthedueassignmentandperformanceof
certainfunctions,bywhich"eachperson,ministerorlayman,shouldcarryoutallandonlythose
partswhichpertaintohisofficebythenatureoftheriteandthenormsoftheliturgy."[5]Thisalso
demandsthatthemeaningandpropernatureofeachpartandofeachsongbecarefullyobserved.To
attainthis,thosepartsespeciallyshouldbesungwhichbytheirverynaturerequiretobesung,using
thekindandformofmusicwhichispropertotheircharacter.
7.Betweenthesolemn,fullerformofliturgicalcelebration,inwhicheverythingthatdemands
singingisinfactsung,andthesimplestform,inwhichsingingisnotused,therecanbevarious
degreesaccordingtothegreaterorlesserplaceallottedtosinging.However,inselectingtheparts
whicharetobesung,oneshouldstartwiththosethatarebytheirnatureofgreaterimportance,and
especiallythosewhicharetobesungbythepriestorbytheministers,withthepeoplereplying,or
thosewhicharetobesungbythepriestandpeopletogether.Theotherpartsmaybegraduallyadded
accordingastheyarepropertothepeoplealoneortothechoiralone.
8.Whenever,foraliturgicalservicewhichistobecelebratedinsungform,onecanmakeachoice
betweenvariouspeople,itisdesirablethatthosewhoareknowntobemoreproficientinsingingbe
givenpreferencethisisespeciallythecaseinmoresolemnliturgicalcelebrationsandinthosewhich
eitherrequiremoredifficultsinging,oraretransmittedbyradioortelevision.[6]
If,however,achoiceofthiskindcannotbemade,andthepriestorministerdoesnotpossessavoice
suitablefortheproperexecutionofthesinging,hecanrenderwithoutsingingoneormoreofthe
moredifficultpartswhichconcernhim,recitingtheminaloudanddistinctvoice.However,thismust
notbedonemerelyfortheconvenienceofthepriestorminister.
9.Inselectingthekindofsacredmusictobeused,whetheritbeforthechoirorforthepeople,the
capacitiesofthosewhoaretosingthemusicmustbetakenintoaccount.Nokindofsacredmusicis
prohibitedfromliturgicalactionsbytheChurchaslongasitcorrespondstothespiritoftheliturgical
celebrationitselfandthenatureofitsindividualparts,[7]anddoesnothindertheactiveparticipation
ofthepeople.[8]
10.Inorderthatthefaithfulmayactivelyparticipatemorewillinglyandwithgreaterbenefit,itis
fittingthattheformatofthecelebrationandthedegreeofparticipationinitshouldbevariedasmuch
aspossible,accordingtothesolemnityofthedayandthenatureofthecongregationpresent.
11.Itshouldbeborneinmindthatthetruesolemnityofliturgicalworshipdependslessonamore

ornateformofsingingandamoremagnificentceremonialthanonitsworthyandreligious
celebration,whichtakesintoaccounttheintegrityoftheliturgicalcelebrationitself,andthe
performanceofeachofitspartsaccordingtotheirownparticularnature.Tohaveamoreornateform
ofsingingandamoremagnificentceremonialisattimesdesirablewhentherearetheresources
availabletocarrythemoutproperlyontheotherhanditwouldbecontrarytothetruesolemnityof
theliturgyifthisweretoleadtoapartoftheactionbeingomitted,changed,orimproperly
performed.
12.ItisfortheHolySeealonetodeterminethemoreimportantgeneralprincipleswhichare,asit
were,thebasisofsacredmusic,accordingtothenormshandeddown,butespeciallyaccordingtothe
ConstitutionontheLiturgy.Directioninthismatter,withinthelimitslaiddown,alsobelongstothe
competentterritorialEpiscopalConferencesofvariouskinds,whichhavebeenlegitimately
constituted,andtotheindividualbishop.[9]
13.LiturgicalservicesarecelebrationsoftheChurch,thatis,oftheholypeople,unitedunderand
directedbythebishoporpriest.[10]Thepriestandhisministers,becauseofthesacredorderthey
havereceived,holdaspecialplaceinthesecelebrations,asdoalsobyreasonoftheministrythey
performtheservers,readers,commentatorsandthoseinthechoir.[11]
14.Thepriest,actinginthepersonofChrist,presidesoverthegatheredassembly.Sincetheprayers
whicharesaidorsungbyhimaloudareproclaimedinthenameoftheentireholypeopleandofall
present,[12]theyshouldbedevoutlylistenedtobyall.
15.Thefaithfulfulfiltheirliturgicalrolebymakingthatfull,consciousandactiveparticipation
whichisdemandedbythenatureoftheliturgyitselfandwhichis,byreasonofbaptism,therightand
dutyoftheChristianpeople.[13]Thisparticipation
(a)Shouldbeaboveallinternal,inthesensethatbyitthefaithfuljointheirmindtowhatthey
pronounceorhear,andcooperatewithheavenlygrace,[14]
(b)Mustbe,ontheotherhand,externalalso,thatis,suchastoshowtheinternalparticipationby
gesturesandbodilyattitudes,bytheacclamations,responsesandsinging.[15]
Thefaithfulshouldalsobetaughttounitethemselvesinteriorlytowhattheministersorchoirsing,so
thatbylisteningtothemtheymayraisetheirmindstoGod.
16.Onecannotfindanythingmorereligiousandmorejoyfulinsacredcelebrationsthanawhole
congregationexpressingitsfaithanddevotioninsong.Thereforetheactiveparticipationofthewhole
people,whichisshowninsinging,istobecarefullypromotedasfollows:
(a)Itshouldfirstofallincludeacclamations,responsestothegreetingsofthepriestandministers
andtotheprayersoflitanyform,andalsoantiphonsandpsalms,refrainsorrepeatedresponses,
hymnsandcanticles.[16]
(b)Throughsuitableinstructionandpractices,thepeopleshouldbegraduallyledtoafullerindeed,
toacompleteparticipationinthosepartsofthesingingwhichpertaintothem.
(c)Someofthepeople'ssong,however,especiallyifthefaithfulhavenotyetbeensufficiently
instructed,orifmusicalsettingsforseveralvoicesareused,canbehandedovertothechoiralone,
providedthatthepeoplearenotexcludedfromthosepartsthatconcernthem.Buttheusageof
entrustingtothechoiralonetheentiresingingofthewholeProperandofthewholeOrdinary,tothe
completeexclusionofthepeople'sparticipationinthesinging,istobedeprecated.

17.Atthepropertimes,allshouldobserveareverentsilence.[17]Throughitthefaithfularenotonly
notconsideredasextraneousordumbspectatorsattheliturgicalservice,butareassociatedmore
intimatelyinthemysterythatisbeingcelebrated,thankstothatinteriordispositionwhichderives
fromthewordofGodthattheyhaveheard,fromthesongsandprayersthathavebeenuttered,and
fromspiritualunionwiththepriestinthepartsthathesaysorsingshimself.
18.Amongthefaithful,specialattentionmustbegiventotheinstructioninsacredsingingof
membersoflayreligioussocieties,sothattheymaysupportandpromotetheparticipationofthe
peoplemoreeffectively.[18]Theformationofthewholepeopleinsinging,shouldbeseriouslyand
patientlyundertakentogetherwithliturgicalinstruction,accordingtotheage,statusandwayoflife
ofthefaithfulandthedegreeoftheirreligiousculturethisshouldbedoneevenfromthefirstyears
ofeducationinelementaryschools.[19]
19.Becauseoftheliturgicalministryitperforms,thechoirortheCapellamusica,orschola
cantorumdeservesparticularmention.Itsrolehasbecomesomethingofyetgreaterimportanceand
weightbyreasonofthenormsoftheCouncilconcerningtheliturgicalrenewal.Itsdutyis,ineffect,
toensuretheproperperformanceofthepartswhichbelongtoit,accordingtothedifferentkindsof
musicsung,andtoencouragetheactiveparticipationofthefaithfulinthesinging.Therefore:
(a)Thereshouldbechoirs,orCapellae,orscholaecantorum,especiallyincathedralsandothermajor
churches,inseminariesandreligioushousesofstudies,andtheyshouldbecarefullyencouraged.
(b)Itwouldalsobedesirableforsimilarchoirstobesetupinsmallerchurches.
20.Largechoirs(Capellaemusicae)existinginbasilicas,cathedrals,monasteriesandothermajor
churches,whichhaveinthecourseofcenturiesearnedforthemselveshighrenownbypreservingand
developingamusicalheritageofinestimablevalue,shouldberetainedforsacredcelebrationsofa
moreelaboratekind,accordingtotheirowntraditionalnorms,recognizedandapprovedbythe
Ordinary.
However,thedirectorsofthesechoirsandtherectorsofthechurchesshouldtakecarethatthepeople
alwaysassociatethemselveswiththesingingbyperformingatleasttheeasiersectionsofthoseparts
whichbelongtothem.
21.Provisionshouldbemadeforatleastoneortwoproperlytrainedsingers,especiallywherethere
isnopossibilityofsettingupevenasmallchoir.Thesingerwillpresentsomesimplermusical
settings,withthepeopletakingpart,andcanleadandsupportthefaithfulasfarasisneeded.The
presenceofsuchasingerisdesirableeveninchurcheswhichhaveachoir,forthosecelebrationsin
whichthechoircannottakepartbutwhichmayfittinglybeperformedwithsomesolemnityand
thereforewithsinging.
22.Thechoircanconsist,accordingtothecustomsofeachcountryandothercircumstances,ofeither
menandboys,ormenandboysonly,ormenandwomen,oreven,wherethereisagenuinecasefor
it,ofwomenonly.
23.Takingintoaccountthelayoutofeachchurch,thechoirshouldbeplacedinsuchaway:
(a)Thatitsnatureshouldbeclearlyapparentnamely,thatitisapartofthewholecongregation,and
thatitfulfillsaspecialrole
(b)Thatitiseasierforittofulfilitsliturgicalfunction[20]

(c)ThateachofitsmembersmaybeabletoparticipateeasilyintheMass,thatistosayby
sacramentalparticipation.
Wheneverthechoiralsoincludeswomen,itshouldbeplacedoutsidethesanctuary(presbyterium).
24.Besidesmusicalformation,suitableliturgicalandspiritualformationmustalsobegiventothe
membersofthechoir,insuchawaythattheproperperformanceoftheirliturgicalrolewillnotonly
enhancethebeautyofthecelebrationandbeanexcellentexampleforthefaithful,butwillbring
spiritualbenefittothechoirmembersthemselves.
25.Inorderthatthistechnicalandspiritualformationmaymoreeasilybeobtained,thediocesan,
nationalandinternationalassociationsofsacredmusicshouldoffertheirservices,especiallythose
thathavebeenapprovedandseveraltimescommendedbytheHolySee.
26.Thepriest,thesacredministersandtheservers,thereaderandthoseinthechoir,andalsothe
commentator,shouldperformthepartsassignedtotheminawaywhichiscomprehensibletothe
people,inorderthattheresponsesofthepeople,whentheriterequiresit,maybemadeeasyand
spontaneous.Itisdesirablethatthepriest,andtheministersofeverydegree,shouldjointheirvoices
tothevoiceofthewholefaithfulinthosepartswhichconcernthepeople.[21]
27.ForthecelebrationoftheEucharistwiththepeople,especiallyonSundaysandfeastdays,aform
ofsungMass(Missaincantu)istobepreferredasmuchaspossible,evenseveraltimesonthesame
day.
28.Thedistinctionbetweensolemn,sungandreadMass,sanctionedbytheInstructionof1958(n.3),
isretained,accordingtothetraditionalliturgicallawsatpresentinforce.However,forthesungMass
(Missacantata),differentdegreesofparticipationareputforwardhereforreasonsofpastoral
usefulness,sothatitmaybecomeeasiertomakethecelebrationofMassmorebeautifulbysinging,
accordingtothecapabilitiesofeachcongregation.
Thesedegreesaresoarrangedthatthefirstmaybeusedevenbyitself,butthesecondandthird,
whollyorpartially,mayneverbeusedwithoutthefirst.Inthiswaythefaithfulwillbecontinually
ledtowardsanevergreaterparticipationinthesinging.
29.Thefollowingbelongtothefirstdegree:
(a)Intheentrancerites:thegreetingofthepriesttogetherwiththereplyofthepeopletheprayer.
(b)IntheLiturgyoftheWord:theacclamationsattheGospel.
(c)IntheEucharisticLiturgy:theprayerovertheofferingstheprefacewithitsdialogueandthe
SanctusthefinaldoxologyoftheCanon,theLord'sprayerwithitsintroductionandembolismthe
PaxDominitheprayeraftertheCommuniontheformulasofdismissal.
30.Thefollowingbelongtotheseconddegree:
(a)theKyrie,GloriaandAgnusDei
(b)theCreed
(c)theprayerofthefaithful.

31.Thefollowingbelongtothethirddegree:
(a)thesongsattheEntranceandCommunionprocessions
(b)thesongsaftertheLessonorEpistle
(c)theAlleluiabeforetheGospel
(d)thesongattheOffertory
(e)thereadingsofSacredScripture,unlessitseemsmoresuitabletoproclaimthemwithoutsinging.
32.Thecustomlegitimatelyinuseincertainplacesandwidelyconfirmedbyindults,ofsubstituting
othersongsforthesongsgivenintheGradualefortheEntrance,OffertoryandCommunion,canbe
retainedaccordingtothejudgmentofthecompetentterritorialauthority,aslongassongsofthissort
areinkeepingwiththepartsoftheMass,withthefeastorwiththeliturgicalseason.Itisforthesame
territorialauthoritytoapprovethetextsofthesesongs.
33.ItisdesirablethattheassemblyofthefaithfulshouldparticipateinthesongsoftheProperas
muchaspossible,especiallythroughsimpleresponsesandothersuitablesettings.
Thesongafterthelessons,beitintheformofgradualorresponsorialpsalm,hasaspecial
importanceamongthesongsoftheProper.Byitsverynature,itformspartoftheLiturgy,ofthe
Word.Itshouldbeperformedwithallseatedandlisteningtoitand,whatismore,participatinginit
asfaraspossible.
34.Thesongswhicharecalledthe"OrdinaryoftheMass,"iftheyaresungbymusicalsettings
writtenforseveralvoicesmaybeperformedbythechoiraccordingtothecustomarynorms,eithera
capella,orwithinstrumentalaccompaniment,aslongasthepeoplearenotcompletelyexcludedfrom
takingpartinthesinging.
Inothercases,thepartsoftheOrdinaryoftheMasscanbedividedbetweenthechoirandthepeople
orevenbetweentwosectionsofthepeoplethemselves:onecanalternatebyverses,oronecanfollow
othersuitabledivisionswhichdividethetextintolargersections.Inthesecases,thefollowingpoints
aretobenoted:itispreferablethattheCreed,sinceitisaformulaofprofessionoffaith,shouldbe
sungbyall,orinsuchawayastopermitafittingparticipationbythefaithfulitispreferablethatthe
Sanctus,astheconcludingacclamationofthePreface,shouldnormallybesungbythewhole
congregationtogetherwiththepriesttheAgnusDeimayberepeatedasoftenasnecessary,
especiallyinconcelebrations,whereitaccompaniestheFractionitisdesirablethatthepeopleshould
participateinthissong,asleastbythefinalinvocation.
35.TheLord'sPrayerisbestperformedbythepeopletogetherwiththepriest.[22]
IfitissunginLatin,themelodiesalreadylegitimatelyexistingshouldbeusedif,however,itissung
inthevernacular,thesettingsaretobeapprovedbythecompetentterritorialauthority.
36.ThereisnoreasonwhysomeoftheProperorOrdinaryshouldnotbesunginsaidMasses.
Moreover,someothersongcanalso,onoccasions,besungatthebeginning,attheOffertory,atthe
CommunionandattheendofMass.Itisnotsufficient,however,thatthesesongsbemerely
"Eucharistic"theymustbeinkeepingwiththepartsoftheMass,withthefeast,orwiththe
liturgicalseason.

II.TheSingingOfTheDivineOffice
37.ThesungcelebrationoftheDivineOfficeistheformwhichbestaccordswiththenatureofthis
prayer.Itexpressesitssolemnityinafullerwayandexpressesadeeperunionofheartsinperforming
thepraisesofGod.Thatiswhy,inaccordancewiththewishoftheConstitutionontheLiturgy,[23]
thissungformisstronglyrecommendedtothosewhocelebratetheOfficeinchoirorincommon.
ForitisdesirablethatatleastsomepartoftheDivineOffice,especiallytheprincipalHours,namely
LaudsandVespers,shouldbeperformedinsungformbythesepeople,atleastonSundaysandfeast
days.
Otherclericsalso,wholiveincommonforthepurposeofstudies,orwhomeetforretreatsorother
purposes,willsanctifytheirmeetingsinaveryfittingwayiftheycelebratesomepartsoftheDivine
Officeinsungform.
38.WhentheDivineOfficeistobecelebratedinsungform,aprincipleof"progressive"solemnity
canbeused,inasmuchasthosepartswhichlendthemselvesmoredirectlytoasungform,e.g.
dialogues,hymns,versesandcanticles,maybesung,andtherestrecited.Thisdoesnotchangethe
rulesatpresentinforceforthoseobligedtochoir,nordoesitchangeparticularindults.
39.Onewillinvitethefaithful,ensuringthattheyreceivetherequisiteinstruction,tocelebratein
commononSundaysandfeastdayscertainpartsoftheDivineOffice,especiallyVesper,,or,
accordingtothecustomsoftheparticularareaandassembly,otherHours.Ingeneral,thefaithful,
particularlythemoreeducated,shouldbeledbysuitableteaching,tounderstandthepsalmsina
Christiansenseandusethemintheirownprayers,sothattheymaygraduallyacquireastrongertaste
fortheuseofthepublicprayeroftheChurch.
40.ThemembersofInstitutesprofessingtheevangelicalvirtuesshouldbegivenspecialinstruction
ofthistype,sothattheymaydrawfromitmoreabundantrichesforthedevelopmentoftheirspiritual
life.ItisdesirablealsothattheyshouldparticipatemorefullyinthepublicprayeroftheChurchby
performingtheprincipalHoursoftheOfficeinsungform,asfaraspossible.
41.InaccordancewiththenormoftheConstitutionontheLiturgyandthecenturiesoldtraditionof
theLatinrite,theLatinlanguageistoberetainedforclericscelebratingtheDivineOfficeinchoir.
[24]SincehoweverthesameLiturgyConstitution[25]concedestheuseofthevernacularinthe
DivineOfficebothbythefaithfulandbynunsandothermembersofInstitutesprofessingthe
evangelicalvirtues,whoarenotclerics,duecareshouldbetakenthatmelodiesarepreparedwhich
maybeusedinthesingingoftheDivineOfficeinthevernacular.
III.SacredMusicInTheCelebrationOfTheSacramentsAndSacramentals,InSpecial
FunctionsOfTheLiturgicalYear,InCelebrationsOfTheWordOfGod,AndInPopular
Devotions
42.TheCouncillaiddowninprinciplethatwheneverarite,inkeepingwithitscharacter,allowsa
celebrationincommonwiththeattendanceandactiveparticipationofthefaithful,thisistobe
preferredtoanindividualandquasiprivatecelebrationoftherite.[28]Itfollowslogicallyfromthis
thatsingingisofgreatimportancesinceitmoreclearlydemonstratesthe'ecclesial'aspectofthe
celebration.
43.CertaincelebrationsoftheSacramentsandSacramentals,whichhaveaspecialimportanceinthe
lifeofthewholeparishcommunity,suchasconfirmation,sacredordinations,matrimony,the
consecrationofachurchoraltarfunerals,etc.,shouldbeperformedinsungformasfaraspossible,

sothateventhesolemnityoftheritewillcontributetoitsgreaterpastoraleffectiveness.Nevertheless,
theintroductionintothecelebrationofanythingwhichismerelysecular,orwhichishardly
compatiblewithdivineworship,undertheguiseofsolemnityshouldbecarefullyavoided:this
appliesparticularlytothecelebrationofmarriages.
44.Similarly,celebrationswhicharesingledoutbytheliturgyinthecourseoftheliturgicalyearas
beingofspecialimportance,maybesolemnizedbysinging.Inaveryspecialway,thesacredritesof
HolyWeekshouldbegivenduesolemnity,sincetheseleadthefaithfultothecenteroftheliturgical
yearandoftheliturgyitselfthroughthecelebrationofthePaschalMystery.
45.FortheliturgyoftheSacramentsandSacramentals,andforotherspecialcelebrationsofthe
liturgicalyear,suitablemelodiesshouldbeprovided,whichcanencourageacelebrationinamore
solemnform,eveninthevernacular,dependingonthecapabilitiesofindividualcongregationsandin
accordancewiththenormsofthecompetentauthority.
46.Sacredmusicisalsoveryeffectiveinfosteringthedevotionofthefaithfulincelebrationsofthe
wordofGod,andinpopulardevotions.
InthecelebrationsofthewordofGod,[27]lettheLiturgyoftheWordintheMass[28]betakenasa
model.Inallpopulardevotionsthepsalmswillbeespeciallyuseful,andalsoworksofsacredmusic
drawnfromboththeoldandthemorerecentheritageofsacredmusic,popularreligioussongs,and
theplayingoftheorgan,orofotherinstrumentscharacteristicofaparticularpeople.
Moreover,inthesesamepopulardevotions,andespeciallyincelebrationsofthewordofGod,itis
excellenttoincludeaswellsomeofthosemusicalworkswhich,althoughtheynolongerhaveaplace
intheliturgy,canneverthelessfosterareligiousspiritandencouragemeditationonthesacred
mystery.[29]
IV.TheLanguageToBeUsedInSungLiturgicalCelebrations,AndOnPreservingThe
HeritageOfSacredMusic
47.AccordingtotheConstitutionontheLiturgy,"theuseoftheLatinlanguage,withduerespectto
particularlaw,istobepreservedintheLatinrites."[30]
However,since"theuseofthevernacularmayfrequentlybeofgreatadvantagetothepeople"[31]"it
isforthecompetentterritorialecclesiasticalauthoritytodecidewhether,andtowhatextent,the
vernacularlanguageistobeused.Itsdecreeshavetobeapproved,thatis,confirmedbytheApostolic
See."[32]
Inobservingthesenormsexactly,onewillthereforeemploythatformofparticipationwhichbest
matchesthecapabilitiesofeachcongregation.
Pastorsofsoulsshouldtakecarethatbesidesthevernacular"thefaithfulmayalsobeabletosayor
singtogetherinLatinthosepartsoftheOrdinaryoftheMasswhichpertaintothem."[33]
48.WherethevernacularhasbeenintroducedintothecelebrationofMass,thelocalOrdinarieswill
judgewhetheritmaybeopportunetopreserveoneormoreMassescelebratedinLatinespecially
sungMasses(Missaeincantu)incertainchurches,aboveallinlargecities,wheremanycome
togetherwithfaithfulofdifferentlanguages.
49.AsregardstheuseofLatinorthemothertongueinthesacredcelebrationscarriedoutin
seminaries,thenormsoftheSacredCongregationofSeminariesandUniversitiesconcerningthe

liturgicalformationofthestudentsshouldbeobserved.
ThemembersofInstitutesprofessingtheevangelicalvirtuesshouldobserve,inthismatter,thenorms
containedintheApostolicLetterSacrificiumLaudisof15August1966besidestheInstructiononthe
languagetobeusedbyreligiousincelebratingtheDivineOfficeandconventualorcommunityMass,
givenbythisSacredCongregationofRiteson23November1965.
50.InsungliturgicalservicescelebratedinLatin:
(a)Gregorianchant,aspropertotheRomanliturgy,shouldbegivenprideofplace,otherthings
beingequal.[34]Itsmelodies,containedinthe"typical"editions,shouldbeused,totheextentthat
thisispossible.
(b)"Itisalsodesirablethataneditionbepreparedcontainingsimplermelodies,foruseinsmaller
churches."[36]
(c)Othermusicalsettings,writtenforoneormorevoices,betheytakenfromthetraditionalheritage
orfromnewworks,shouldbeheldinhonor,encouragedandusedastheoccasiondemands.[36]
51.Pastorsofsouls,havingtakenintoconsiderationpastoralusefulnessandthecharacteroftheir
ownlanguage,shouldseewhetherpartsoftheheritageofsacredmusic,writteninpreviouscenturies
forLatintexts,couldalsobeconvenientlyused,notonlyinliturgicalcelebrationsinLatinbutalsoin
thoseperformedinthevernacular.Thereisnothingtopreventdifferentpartsinoneandthesame
celebrationbeingsungindifferentlanguages.
52.Inordertopreservetheheritageofsacredmusicandgenuinelypromotethenewformsofsacred
singing,"greatimportanceistobeattachedtotheteachingandpracticeofmusicinseminaries,inthe
novitiatesandhousesofstudyofreligiousofbothsexes,andalsoinotherCatholicinstitutesand
schools,"especiallyinthosehigherinstitutesintendedspeciallyforthis.[37]Aboveall,thestudyand
practiceofGregorianchantistobepromoted,because,withitsspecialcharacteristics,itisabasisof
greatimportanceforthedevelopmentofsacredmusic.
53.Newworksofsacredmusicshouldconformfaithfullytotheprinciplesandnormssetoutabove.
Inthiswaytheywillhave"thequalitiespropertogenuinesacredmusic,beingwithinthecapacities
notmerelyoflargechoirsbutofsmallerchoirs,facilitatingtheparticipationofallthefaithful."[38]
Asregardstheheritagethathasbeenhandeddownthosepartswhichcorrespondtotheneedsofthe
renewedliturgyshouldfirstbebroughttolight.Competentexpertsinthisfieldmustthencarefully
considerwhetherotherpartscanbeadaptedtothesameneeds.Asforthosepieceswhichdonot
correspondtothenatureoftheliturgyorcannotbeharmonizedwiththepastoralcelebrationofthe
liturgytheymaybeprofitablytransferredtopopulardevotions,especiallytocelebrationsofthe
wordofGod.[39]
V.PreparingMelodiesForVernacularTexts
54.Inpreparingpopularversionsofthosepartswhichwillbesettomelodies,andespeciallyofthe
Psalter,expertsshouldtakecarethatfidelitytotheLatintextissuitablyharmonizedwith
applicabilityofthevernaculartexttomusicalsettings.Thenatureandlawsofeachlanguagemustbe
respected,andthefeaturesandspecialcharacteristicsofeachpeoplemustbetakeninto
consideration:allthis,togetherwiththelawsofsacredmusic,shouldbecarefullyconsideredby
musiciansinthepreparationofthenewmelodies.

Thecompetentterritorialauthoritywillthereforeensurethatinthecommissionentrustedwiththe
compositionofversionsforthepeople,thereareexpertsinthesubjectsalreadymentionedaswellas
inLatinandthevernacularfromtheoutsetofthework,theymustcombinetheirefforts.
55.Itwillbeforthecompetentterritorialauthoritytodecidewhethercertainvernaculartextssetto
musicwhichhavebeenhandeddownfromformertimes,caninfactbeused,eventhoughtheymay
notconforminalldetailswiththelegitimatelyapprovedversionsoftheliturgicaltexts.
56.Amongthemelodiestobecomposedforthepeople'stexts,thosewhichbelongtothepriestand
ministersareparticularlyimportant,whethertheysingthemalone,orwhethertheysingthem
togetherwiththepeople,orwhethertheysingthemin"dialogue"withthepeople.Incomposing
these,musicianswillconsiderwhetherthetraditionalmelodiesoftheLatinliturgy,whichareused
forthispurpose,caninspirethemelodytobeusedforthesametextsinthevernacular.
57.Newmelodiestobeusedbythepriestsandministersmustbeapprovedbythecompetent
territorialauthority.[40]
58.ThoseEpiscopalConferenceswhomitmayconcernwillensurethatforoneandthesame
language,usedindifferentregions,therewillbeasingletranslation.Itisalsodesirablethatasfaras
possible,thereshouldbeoneormorecommonmelodiesforthepartswhichconcernthepriestand
ministers,andfortheresponsesandacclamationsofthepeople,sothatthecommonparticipationof
thosewhousethesamelanguagemaybeencouraged.
59.Musicianswillenteronthisnewworkwiththedesiretocontinuethattraditionwhichhas
furnishedtheChurch,inherdivineworship,withatrulyabundantheritage.Letthemexaminethe
worksofthepast,theirtypesandcharacteristics,butletthemalsopaycarefulattentiontothenew
lawsandrequirementsoftheliturgy,sothat"newformsmayinsomewaygroworganicallyfrom
formsthatalreadyexist,"[41]andthenewworkwillformanewpartinthemusicalheritageofthe
Church,notunworthyofitspast.
60.Thenewmelodiesforthevernaculartextscertainlyneedtoundergoaperiodofexperimentation
inorderthattheymayattainasufficientmaturityandperfection.However,anythingdonein
churches,evenifonlyforexperimentalpurposes,whichisunbecomingtotheholinessoftheplace,
thedignityoftheliturgyandthedevotionofthefaithful,mustbeavoided.
61.Adaptingsacredmusicforthoseregionswhichpossessamusicaltraditionoftheirown,
especiallymissionareas,[42]willrequireaveryspecializedpreparationbytheexperts.Itwillbea
questioninfactofhowtoharmonizethesenseofthesacredwiththespirit,traditionsand
characteristicexpressionspropertoeachofthesepeoples.Thosewhoworkinthisfieldshouldhavea
sufficientknowledgebothoftheliturgyandmusicaltraditionoftheChurch,andofthelanguage,
popularsongsandothercharacteristicexpressionsofthepeopleforwhosebenefittheyareworking.
VI.SacredInstrumentalMusic
62.Musicalinstrumentscanbeveryusefulinsacredcelebrations,whethertheyaccompanythe
singingorwhethertheyareplayedassoloinstruments.
"ThepipeorganistobeheldinhighesteemintheLatinChurch,sinceitisitstraditionalinstrument,
thesoundofwhichcanaddawonderfulsplendortotheChurch'sceremoniesandpowerfullyliftup
men'smindstoGodandhigherthings.
"Theuseofotherinstrumentsmayalsobeadmittedindivineworship,giventhedecisionandconsent

ofthecompetentterritorialauthority,providedthattheinstrumentsaresuitableforsacreduse,orcan
beadaptedtoit,thattheyareinkeepingwiththedignityofthetemple,andtrulycontributetothe
edificationofthefaithful."[43]
63.Inpermittingandusingmusicalinstruments,thecultureandtraditionsofindividualpeoplesmust
betakenintoaccount.However,thoseinstrumentswhichare,bycommonopinionanduse,suitable
forsecularmusiconly,aretobealtogetherprohibitedfromeveryliturgicalcelebrationandfrom
populardevotions.[44]
Anymusicalinstrumentpermittedindivineworshipshouldbeusedinsuchawaythatitmeetsthe
needsoftheliturgicalcelebration,andisintheinterestsbothofthebeautyofworshipandthe
edificationofthefaithful.
64.Theuseofmusicalinstrumentstoaccompanythesingingcanactasasupporttothevoices,
renderparticipationeasier,andachieveadeeperunionintheassembly.However,theirsoundshould
notsooverwhelmthevoicesthatitisdifficulttomakeoutthetextandwhensomepartisproclaimed
aloudbythepriestoraministerbyvirtueofhisrole,theyshouldbesilent.
65.InsungorsaidMasses,theorgan,orotherinstrumentlegitimatelyadmitted,canbeusedto
accompanythesingingofthechoirandthepeopleitcanalsobeplayedsoloatthebeginningbefore
thepriestreachesthealtar,attheOffertory,attheCommunion,andattheendofMass.
Thesamerule,withthenecessaryadaptations,canbeappliedtoothersacredcelebrations.
66.TheplayingofthesesameinstrumentsassolosisnotpermittedinAdvent,Lent,duringthe
SacredTriduumandintheOfficesandMassesoftheDead.
67.Itishighlydesirablethatorganistsandothermusiciansshouldnotonlypossesstheskilltoplay
properlytheinstrumententrustedtothem:theyshouldalsoenterintoandbethoroughlyawareofthe
spiritoftheliturgy,sothatevenwhenplayingextempore,theywillenrichthesacredcelebration
accordingtothetruenatureofeachofitsparts,andencouragetheparticipationofthefaithful.[46]
VII.TheCommissionsSetUpForThePromotionOfSacredMusic
68.ThediocesanCommissionsforsacredmusicareofmostvaluableassistanceinpromotingsacred
musictogetherwithpastoralliturgicalactioninthediocese.
Thereforetheyshouldexistasfaraspossibleineachdiocese,andshouldunitetheireffortswith
thoseoftheliturgicalCommission.
ItwilloftenbecommendableforthetwoCommissionstobecombinedintoone,andconsistof
personswhoareexpertinbothsubjects.Inthiswayprogresswillbeeasier.
Itishighlyrecommendedthat,whereitappearstobemoreeffective,severaldiocesesofthesame
regionshouldsetupasingleCommission,whichwillestablishacommonplanofactionandgather
togethertheirforcesmorefruitfully.
69.TheLiturgicalCommission,tobesetupbytheEpiscopalConferenceasjudgedopportune,[46]
shouldalsoberesponsibleforsacredmusicitshouldthereforealsoconsistofexpertsinthisfield.It
isuseful,however,forsuchaCommissiontoconfernotonlywiththediocesanCommissions,but
alsowithothersocietieswhichmaybeinvolvedinmusicalmattersinthesameregion.Thisalso
appliestothepastoralliturgicalInstitutementionedinart.44oftheConstitution.

Intheaudiencegrantedon9February,1967toHisEminenceArcadioM.CardinalLarraona,Prefect
oftheSacredCongregationofRites,HisHolinessPopePaulVIapprovedandconfirmedthepresent
Instructionbyhisauthority,orderedittobepublishedandatthesametimeestablishedthatitshould
comeintoforceonPentecostSunday14May,1967.
Notes:
1.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.112.
2.Cf.St.PiusX,MotuProprio'Tralesollecitudini,'n.2.
3.Cf.InstructionoftheS.C.R.,3September1958,n.4.
4.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.113.
5.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.28.
6.InstructionoftheS.C.R.,3September1958,n.95.
7.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgyArt.116.
8.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgyArt.28.
9.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.22.
10.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.26and4132ConstitutionontheChurch,Art.28.
11.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.29.
12.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.33.
13.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.14.
14Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgyArt.11.
15Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgyArt.30.
16.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.30.
17.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.30.
18.Cf.InstructionoftheS.C.R.,26September1964,(D.3),nn.19and59.
19.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.19InstructionoftheS.C.R.,3September1958,nn.1068.
20.Cf.InterOecumenici,(D.3).
21.Cf.InterOecumenici.
22.Cf.InterOecumenici,n.48.
23.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.99.
24.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.101:1.
25.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.101:2,3.
26.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.27
27.Cf.InterOecumenici,nn.379.
28.Cf.InterOecumenici,n.37.
29.Cf.below,n.53.
30.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.361.
31.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.36:2.
32.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.36:3.
33.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art,54InterOecumenici,59.
34.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.116.
35.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art117.
36.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.116.
37.ConstitutionontheLiturgyArt.115
38.ConstitutionontheLiturgyArt.121
39.Cf.above,n.46.
40.Cf.InterOecumenici,n.42.
41.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art23
42.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art119.
43.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.120.

44.a.InstructionoftheS.CR.,3September1958,n.70.
45.Cf.above,n.24.
46.Cf.ConstitutionontheLiturgy,Art.44.