Almost daily I have the privilege and responsibility to play the piano or organ for Mass at the Sisters of Notre Dame Center in Whitehouse, Ohio. Although I am not the one who selects the hymns and ritual music, which have a greater impact on the liturgy, I imagine that my choices of preludes and interludes and how I play them affects the assembled Sisters and lay people. A prelude before Mass and an opening hymn have the potential to synchronize participants’ heartbeats. In a literal and physiological way, we become one in the Body of Christ and deepen this reality as the Mass continues and we hear the same readings and partake of the same Body and Blood of Christ. Playing the hymns requires some degree of perfection, and selecting appropriate preludes and interludes requires some degree of wise selection. Do my choices reflect the reading, remind the assembly of the great gift of Eucharist, and give unity? Whether consciously or unconsciously, we are attuned to sounds that can deepen our unity in the Sacrament of Unity.
“To live is to be slowly born.”
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Sunflower Seeds
Celebrating Everyday Spirituality
One Response
I love the gathering time music. I agree with how you shared that “A prelude before Mass and an opening hymn have the potential to synchronize participants’ heartbeats.” I had never thought about it like that! I play gathering music on my violin weekly in a liturgical protestant church. People are talking, greeting each other, but seemingly not usually aware of the music. When the organist starts the prelude, they take their seats and sit quietly getting into the worship mode. I enjoy noticing how our music, which we play as our personal worship to God, becomes part of the meaningful corporate worship of the congregation.
Thank you so much for sharing. May you continue to feel God’s hand on you as you worship Him with your music.