Music During Lent

Lent is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ’s Resurrection. As a result, music during the liturgies of this season is less celebrative. We take our direction from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal 313, which states during the Lenten season, “the playing of the organ and musical instruments is allowed only to support the assembly’s singing. Laetare Sunday (the Fourth Sunday of Lent), solemnities, and feasts are exceptions to this rule.”
 
Because of its sober nature, the Lenten season is a perfect opportunity to sing a Mass setting in Gregorian chant style or include other chanted selections. For congregations that are not familiar with Gregorian chant, it is important to encourage their sung participation by teaching these selections prior to the start of Mass and continue this practice until they are comfortable with them. 

The Alleluia is omitted during the season of Lent. The alternative is provided at Lectionary #223 (before Monday of the First week).
 
The Gloria is omitted from the beginning of Lent until the Easter Vigil, except for:

• Ritual Masses (e.g., Matrimony and Confirmation outside of Sunday),
• Solemnities (St. Joseph and the Annunciation),
• the Chrism Mass,
• Holy Thursday’s Mass of the Lord’s Supper.   

Silence is an important element of the liturgy that allows for reflection and private prayer while establishing a rhythm within the liturgy. Slightly longer moments of silence, or silence during optional sung elements such as the Preparation of the Gifts or Recessional also allows the sober nature of the Lenten liturgy to be experienced.  The Entrance Antiphon, Chant or Song may not be omitted.undefined

The Good Friday solemn intercessions are meant to be sung using the chant given in the Roman Missal, and a short moment of silent prayer should be included at the end of each invitation. If the intercessions cannot be sung, they should be spoken with a solemn character and with time given for the appropriate silences.
 
The procession during the Adoration of the Holy Cross is not one of sorrow or atonement, but rather one of gratitude, triumph, and acceptance. We are not honoring the One crucified, but the cross that embodies the mystery of Christ’s redemptive triumph over sin and death. The music during this procession should speak about the mystery and triumph of the Cross rather than about the details of Jesus’ death and suffering.