With the implementation of the Roman Missal, 3rd Edition, Archbishop George Lucas encouraged the priests of the archdiocese of Omaha to sing the Mass. That is, to sing the prayers and dialogues of the Mass rather than to speak them. At Sacred Heart Parish, we have been blessed with singing priests and have had great success in promoting participation at Mass through singing the Mass.

Before the implementation of the Roman Missal, 3rd Edition, the congregation experienced singing at Mass as four songs and a sung Mass setting. This gave the impression that singing is external to the Roman ritual, an add on, a form of entertainment. Due to this, congregational participation was weak and timid. The congregation appreciated listening to great soloists.

Since our priests have begun singing the Mass, our congregation participation has grown in confidence and purpose. Singing the dialogues engages the people in the pew with a simple but important task: to sing simple responses. I can’t describe how blessed I feel when I hear our priests singing the Mass.  It is an evangelical experience to be in the midst of a congregation that is unified in singing the Mass.

Singing the Mass at Sacred Heart Parish – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time