The final section of the prayer and hymn book consisted of hymns in the Provençal language. They dealt with each of the major themes of the mission and taught the Creed, the commandments of God, of the Church, and many other elements of instruction in such a way that they could be committed to memory through constant repetition in song.
Because of the importance of singing in the missions, Eugene wanted the songs to be fully instructive and solid:
… In the missions, I recommend you use hymns with a refrain, which the congregation can repeat. I insist that there be refrains that the whole congregation can sing, nothing more. I don’t find anything more wearisome than listening to some isolated voices which annoy you by their unison without anyone being able to hear one word of what they utter. It is the very opposite of devotion. In this case, music, far from sending the souls to God, turns them away from him. Instead of praying at such a precious moment, people languish. People prefer to pray fervently without being distracted by the singing. And so I would like to suppress, in our missions, any adoration, any hymn, in which the refrain could not be repeated by the entire congregation. Hence I insist on hymns with a refrain because during the mission all must sing. From our hymnals, certain ridiculous and out-of-place expressions of love must also be removed; verses that are significant and inspiring of piety are what is needed.
Letter to Jean-Baptiste Mille, 6 April 1837, O.W.IX n. 611
How I do understand the rationale, but bemoan the fact that I can be guilty as well of not allowing the congregation to sing! One doesn’t want to be “stuck” in a very very limited repertoire, but there is also a problem of a congregation that doesn’t want to sing anything, or considering a hymn refrain not well enough know if it hasn’t been sung for at least several years. Perhaps there also are non singing parishes?
I sure hope not Anda, but seeing we worship in the same parish, I hear you.
Don’t give up hope, there is an immensity to share in.
Thank you for sharing your gift,
Jack,omi
Hi Anda and Jack,
I agree with Eugene. I think music is an important ministry in the Church. While I feel it does have to be melodious and easily picked up to engage congregation participation, there are some very moving hymns that are best performed by a soloist or choir alone that move people to a meditative, emotional closeness with God.
Lets keep on singing!
John