CONGREGATIONAL SINGING

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1407, 6 April 1912, Page 9

CONGREGATIONAL SINGING

In a series of instructions on the restoration of sacred miiMc, which, in accordance with the directions given in the Iloly Father's "Mntu Proprio" of November' 22, I'JOU, ho has just issued to the parish priests, rectors, superiors of churches, heads of ecclesiastical seminaries and institutrs, and others in Home, the Cardinal-Vicar lays special stress on tho imporlniico of coiifrrojralioiifil singing. "The true and genuine ecclesiastical tradition of the Chant and of sacred music is." ho observes, "that the onlnro assembly oi , the faithful join in the singing at l.h'.' liturgical functions, executing thoso' parts of the text that are assigned to tho choir, iind that, a special 'schola canlorum' sill',' flltfriKilrly- wiili (lie jirople, . Inking up'the other parts of the text; which aro ricliui" in mdiiily anil arc specially reserved for them. .For this reason his Holiness I\7p<> I'ius Xin tho 'Hotii Proprio' lnid down the following: 'Lot an. effort hs made lo restore the Gregorian Chajit for use by the people, so that the faithful may ngain (nice an active part in (he ocek'siaslical services as they wero wont to do formerly." Thanlts to tho stimulus given in Koine (i> the movement for congreg.itional singing, we nmy hope thai: in the eaursp of lime the excellent practice, will fceeninn more general in the Catholic churches lhr<)Ui:houl: these islands.—"Catholic Times" (London).