Catholic choirs have been urged not to turn the celebration of the Holy Mass into a musical performance, but to choose sacred music that serves the liturgy and encourages the congregation to actively participate in worship.
Parish Priest of Binduri Parish, Rev. Fr. Joseph Ayinpuusa, said the choir’s role is not merely to sing beautifully but to help lead the entire congregation in worship.
He made the call during a music seminar organised for members of the Bolga Deanery Frafra Choirs Union (BODEFCU) at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Vea on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026.
The seminar focused on the Liturgy of the Holy Mass, the importance of sacred music and the role of choirs in Catholic worship.
Rev. Fr. Ayinpuusa said the selection of music for Mass should be guided by the particular part of the liturgy, the season of the Church, Catholic teaching and the ability of the congregation to participate.
He cautioned choirs against replacing prescribed liturgical texts with songs simply because they are popular or musically appealing.
For example, he said, the Gloria should contain the approved Gloria text rather than being replaced with a general praise song.
He also reminded choirs that the Church’s liturgical seasons should guide their choice of music. During Lent, for instance, the Gloria and Alleluia are omitted.
Rev. Fr. Ayinpuusa said Communion songs should reflect the Eucharist and the congregation’s union with Christ rather than simply being general praise songs.
He also cautioned against using Marian songs in place of appropriate Communion music where they are not liturgically suitable.
According to him, the ability of the congregation to participate should also influence the complexity of songs selected by choirs.
If a song is too difficult for the congregation to join, he said, the choir should teach it properly or consider another suitable song.
Rev. Fr. Ayinpuusa outlined four principles that should guide the selection of music for Mass: liturgical suitability, pastoral consideration, doctrinal accuracy and beauty.
Under the liturgical principle, he said music must correspond with the particular action and season of the Mass. Pastorally, choirs should consider the needs and abilities of the congregation.
The lyrics of songs must also be consistent with Catholic teaching, while the music should draw the faithful towards prayer and reverence rather than distract them from worship.
Rev. Fr. Ayinpuusa also took choir members through the appropriate use of music at different stages of the Mass.
He described the Responsorial Psalm as a meditation on the first Scripture reading and said the assigned Psalm of the day would normally be appropriate, with a response that allows the congregation to participate.
The Gospel Acclamation should be sung before the proclamation of the Gospel, he said, while the Creed may be sung or recited. Where it is sung, however, the complete approved liturgical text should be maintained.
He also stressed the importance of congregational participation in the Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation and Great Amen during the Eucharistic Prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer, he said, should be sung or recited simply and reverently rather than treated as a performance.
During Communion, music should accompany the faithful as they receive the Eucharist and express the meaning of the celebration. After Communion, he said, sacred silence is preferable to allow for personal thanksgiving and prayer, although a quiet hymn of praise may also be appropriate.
Rev. Fr. Ayinpuusa said effective liturgical choirs must also combine spirituality with adequate musical preparation.
“You can’t lead what you don’t live,” he said, urging choir members to pray and develop their own spiritual lives.
He also encouraged choirs to rehearse adequately, warning that poor musical preparation can distract the congregation and interfere with worship.
Choirs, he added, should continually ask whether the congregation can participate in the music they select and teach unfamiliar songs where necessary.
Rev. Fr. Ayinpuusa said the ultimate purpose of sacred music during Mass is to lead the whole Church in worship, with the choir supporting rather than replacing the participation of the congregation.
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