Music Ministry Liturgical Planning

Questions to ask a Priest before Holy Mass

For Choir Directors/Musicians

When providing liturgical music at Mass, if there is a priest who is filling in for your parish priest or if there is a visiting priest new at your church, here are some helpful questions and tips to clarify before the Mass:

1. Cue to announce the Entrance hymn - ring the bell? Some parishes where there is no bell, the priest will signal by waving his hand.

2. Will there be incensing (in case of a special Feast Day)? 

3. Will the altar be incensed when the Entrance Chant/Hymn is sung (i.e. before Mass commences) and during the Offertory time?

4. Mass Parts: Kyrie, Gloria, Responsorial Psalm, Gospel Acclamation, Holy (Sanctus), We Proclaim Your Death (Memorial Acclamation), Great Amen, Lamb of God (Agnus Dei).

5. Kyrie - When do we sing? 

a. No Kyrie (priest recites it) - Penitential Act > Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Or Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.

b. Kyrie is sung (short form) - Penitential Act > Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Or Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.

c. Kyrie is sung (long form) - No Penitential Act  

5. 1. • • You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy. Or Kyrie, eleison. 

        • You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy. Or Christe, eleison. 

        • You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord, have mercy. Or Kyrie, eleison. 

        • The absolution by the priest follows: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. 

d. The priest (a.k.a presider/celebrant) will recite the Penitential Act or not depending on what the Choir does, which option they use (a., b., or c.)

e. Choir - Let the priest know before Mass what you will be doing (a., b., or c.)

6. The Gloria - Ideally should be sung for a Sunday Mass. 

7. For a daily or special Mass or Feast Day, inquire with the priest if the Gloria needs to be sung. Check USCCB Daily Readings if it is a Feast Day.  

8. The Liturgy of the Word - The cantor sings Responsorial Psalm.

9. For a daily or special Mass, inquire with the priest if there is a Second Reading. 

10. Cue to start singing the Gospel Acclamation - after the priest rises from his chair?

11. The Liturgy of the Eucharist - Offertory Chant/hymn.

12. Sing the remaining Mass Parts. 

13. Reception of Holy Communion (Choir) - before singing the Communion hymn? 

14. The Concluding Rites - any solemn blessing or prayer over the people?

15. Cue to announce the Recessional hymn (after final dismissal). 

16. Any other special instructions or hymns to be sung?

17. It is a good idea to practise responses to the priest chants. (Eg. The Lord be with you...And with your Spirit...)

Good reminder for music ministers: Attire (dress code) - strictly formal. 

Mass – always capitalize the word Mass when used in reference to the liturgy. 

Order of Funeral Mass | Music Selections for a Catholic Funeral or Memorial Mass

Order of Hymns during Mass

Entrance hymn (Choir): 

Penitential Act  or  Kyrie (long form - You were sent…) will be sung (Cantor)

The Gloria (Choir)

First Reading

Responsorial Psalm (Cantor): 

Second Reading

Gospel Acclamation - Alleluia | Verse | Alleluia (Cantor): 

Gospel > Homily

The Prayer of the Faithful

Offertory hymn (Choir): 

Holy (Choir)

We Proclaim Your Death (Choir)

Amen (Choir)

Lamb of God (Choir)

Communion hymn (Choir): 

Recessional hymn (Choir): 

Points to keep in mind during the liturgical year

Music Ministry:

• No Gloria during Advent and Lent

• No Alleluia during Lent. The Gospel acclamation will change. See Lenten Gospel Acclamation Options 

• Incensing - Singing is extended during the entrance procession (Entrance hymn) and preparation of the gifts (Offertory hymn) till washing of hands of the celebrant (priest).

Suggestion to the musician - inquire with the celebrant or adult server if there is incensing (for a special occasion like a solemnity). Second, if there will be incensing of the altar during the entrance procession and preparation of the gifts during that Mass, if the musician forgets to inquire prior to commencement of Mass, the following are some guidelines to help them:

Entrance hymn:

The entrance song ought to be long enough to envelop the entire procession and should not end until after the presider has arrived at the presidential chair. Eg. When there is a feast day of a Saint, the statue is incensed. Continue singing till the priest arrives at the presidential chair.

Offertory hymn: 

Continue singing or the musician plays instrumental after the deacon or minister is done incensing the people (the music continues until the gifts, cross, altar, priest, and entire assembly have been honoured with incense).

Music in the Roman Catholic Mass | Guidelines for Liturgical Music | Weekday Lectionary | When the Gloria is Recited Outside of Sundays | Marian Feast Days | Feast Days of the Apostles