The Diocese of Dumaguete is compiling church music for the celebration of the Eucharist and a musical composition for the responsorial psalm for one liturgical year.

Rev. Fr. Julius Heruela, liturgist of the Diocese of Dumaguete said it is a move to correct some abuses of church choirs where some are introducing secular music, especially during offertory and communion.

He said it is strictly directed in the Roman Catholic Church that secular music should not be allowed to be sung inside the church, especially during masses.

The tune of the responsorial psalm should be based on Gregorian format tunes and not influenced by secular music. Heruela explained that the responsorial psalm is a response for the first reading and should be sung with joy and gladness.

The Liturgical Music Convention held recently at the Marian Priest Center at the Saint Catherine of Alexandria Parish Church was participated in by 18 choirs and representatives of music ministries in the parish.

Heruela said he understands the difficulty in composing the musical notes for the responsorial psalm but he strongly believes there is nothing impossible in the name of the Lord. All choir and music ministry leaders will do the arrangements and composition of notes for the responsorial psalm every month, he said.

Dr. Jim Villahermosa, a musical trainer of the Diocese of Dumaguete, shared his experiences during the one month training workshop in La Union with the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy.

Villahermosa said the choir is very important in the celebration of the mass because the songs help bring the people to prayer, but it should be inculcated in the hearts and minds of each choir member that singing in the mass is a service for the Lord, and not for glamour.*MA

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