Sacred Music Consultation draws impressive participation

So, their heart is saying what the Church is teaching — that we do pray twice when we sing, that this should be given importance.”

Helen Osman, communications consultant to the diocese

The first stage of the diocesan Sacred Music Consultation was a resounding success.

More than 6,600 people from throughout this diocese completed online and hard-copy surveys developed by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA).

Nearly 400 people participated in live listening sessions held in English and Spanish in several locations across the diocese.

“The response we’ve received has been tremendous,” said Helen Osman, communications consultant to the diocese, who’s facilitating the yearlong consultation.

Its purpose is to draw the entire local Church into a prayer-led dialogue about how sacred music can be best used to encourage active participation in the Liturgy.

“It couldn’t be clearer that this is a matter close to many people’s hearts,” said Bishop W. Shawn McKnight. “We deeply appreciate everyone who shared their voices in this important process.”

Mrs. Osman pointed out that about twice as many people attended the Spanish-language listening sessions as the English-language sessions.

Many of the facilitators at the listening sessions were members of the diocesan chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM), and that many of the participants at the sessions lead or help with the liturgical music in their parishes.

“People talked about how they feel when they sing at Mass, how it helps them pray,” said Mrs. Osman.

“When it’s not done well, their prayer, their worship really suffers,” she noted. “Their community really suffers.

“So, their heart is saying what the Church is teaching — that we do pray twice when we sing, that this should be given importance,” Mrs. Osman stated.

The consultation dates back to last October, when Bishop McKnight promulgated a decree forbidding music by three composers with credible allegations of abuse against them from being sung at Mass; removing 12 hymns with theologically problematic lyrics from songs approved for Mass; and calling for people in all parishes in the diocese to become familiar with four musical settings for the parts of the Mass.

The decree, written in consultation with the diocesan Liturgical Commission, was immediately controversial.

In light of comments he received, the bishop rescinded the October decree in early November and issued a second, temporary decree, prohibiting music by those found credibly accused by their diocesan bishop (but without mentioning any names), and requiring those who are responsible for the selection of sacred music to evaluate their music selections using the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) document’s evaluative principles.

That second decree called for the process of synodal consultation that is now taking place. 

“Right now, we’re analyzing all the information we’ve received,” said Mrs. Osman. “CARA is analyzing the surveys, and I’m going through the reports from the listening sessions.”

She then will enlist members of the local NPM chapter to review the analyses with her.

The information from the surveys and listening sessions will help the Liturgical Commission formulate a draft of an updated official decree on sacred music in the diocese.

The Diocesan Pastoral Council, the Presbyteral Council and the bishop’s cabinet, with input from the priests of the diocese and members of the local NPM chapter, will help shape the draft into final form before Bishop McKnight puts it into effect on Nov. 1.

Bishop McKnight was quick to thank the priests, parish staff and volunteers who helped facilitate the survey and those who served as hosts and facilitators for the listening sessions.

“Your dedication made this effort possible,” he said.

Anyone wishing to participate in the next phase of the consultation as a member of NPM can email jeffersoncitymo@npm.org to register.

For more information about the consultation, please visit the Sacred Music Consultation webpage at diojeffcity.org/sacred-music.