Music at Mass is prayer, not decoration. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) describes what is sung at each moment of the celebration and why. This guide follows the order of the Mass, so a choir director can see what each part asks of the music before choosing a song in the Sunday Mass Music Planner.
Introductory Rites
Entrance
The Entrance chant opens the celebration, unites the people gathered, leads their thoughts to the mystery of the season or feast, and accompanies the procession of the priest and ministers (GIRM 47). Choose a song that fits the day: a hymn of hope in Advent, of penance in Lent, of joy at Easter.
Kyrie — Lord, have mercy
The Kyrie is a chant in which the faithful acclaim the Lord and ask for his mercy (GIRM 52). Each acclamation is usually sung twice, though local settings may repeat it more, as many Ugandan settings do.
Gloria
The Gloria is an ancient hymn of praise. It is sung or said on Sundays outside Advent and Lent, on solemnities and on feasts (GIRM 53). Its words are a fixed liturgical text, so a setting of the Gloria should keep those words rather than replace them with another song of praise.
Liturgy of the Word
Responsorial Psalm
The psalm after the first reading is an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word, and it is preferably sung — at least the people’s response (GIRM 61). The psalm comes from the lectionary for the day; a different song should not take its place.
Gospel Acclamation
The Alleluia with its verse welcomes the Lord who speaks in the Gospel, and is sung by all standing (GIRM 62). During Lent the Alleluia is not sung; another acclamation from the lectionary is used instead.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Offertory — Preparation of the Gifts
A chant accompanies the procession with the gifts and continues at least until they have been placed on the altar (GIRM 74). This is a fitting moment for songs of offering and thanksgiving, which Ugandan choirs often lead with drums and dance.
Holy, Holy (Sanctus), Memorial Acclamation and Great Amen
These acclamations belong to the Eucharistic Prayer itself and are sung by the whole assembly with the priest (GIRM 79). Their texts are fixed by the Missal, so a setting must keep the liturgical words.
Lamb of God (Agnus Dei)
The Agnus Dei accompanies the breaking of the bread and may be repeated as long as the fraction lasts, ending with “grant us peace” (GIRM 83).
Communion
The Communion chant begins while the priest receives the Sacrament. It expresses the communicants’ union in spirit by the unity of their voices and highlights the communal nature of the procession (GIRM 86). Eucharistic hymns and songs drawn from the day’s Gospel suit this moment well.
After Communion
When the distribution of Communion is over, the priest and people may pray quietly for a while, or a psalm, canticle or hymn of praise may be sung by the whole congregation (GIRM 88). Many Ugandan choirs call these thanksgiving or meditation songs.
Concluding Rites
Recessional
The Missal does not prescribe a closing song, but a hymn as the ministers leave is a widespread custom. It can send the people out with the spirit of the season or the feast.
A note on songs at the Sign of Peace
The Roman Rite does not provide a song at the Sign of Peace. In 2014 the Congregation for Divine Worship asked that a “song for peace” not be introduced at that moment, so that the Agnus Dei can follow without delay. Songs about peace and fraternal love remain fitting at other moments, such as the Offertory or the end of Mass.
Choosing well
- Begin with the readings and the season, not with a favourite song.
- Keep the fixed liturgical texts — Gloria, Holy, Holy, Lamb of God — in settings that respect their words.
- Match the music to your choir’s voices and to the congregation’s ability to join in.
- Use the languages of the people gathered, and the treasury of Latin chant where it is known.
Local guidance from your diocese and the Uganda Episcopal Conference takes precedence over any general advice here.