The purpose of music ministry is to lead and coordinate the sung praise of the liturgical assembly, enabling it to speak as the voice of the Church, the Body of Christ. The harmony of music and the ritual action of singing together are icons of the Church’s mystical communion in Christ. “We, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another” (Romans 12:5–6). While the spiritual refreshment of individuals is frequently a fruit of liturgical song, the primary purpose of music in the liturgy is to enable the Church to worship as a community. The ministry and participation of each individual is subordinate to and directed toward that communal goal.

“He who sings, prays twice” (St. Augustine), but “the praise of God exists in the heart rather than on the lips” (St. Thomas Aquinas). This means that we should all always try to sing—particularly the psalms, the ordinary parts of the Mass (Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, etc.), and the responses (“Amen,” etc.)—but it is more important that we all have in our hearts the same intention, whether or not we are able to sing. “Even when listening to…the singing of the choir, the assembly continues to participate actively as they ‘unite themselves interiorly to what the ministers or choir sing, so that by listening to them they may raise their minds to God.’” (Musicam sacram, no. 15; Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship, no. 12)