12.

QUERY: An organ accompaniment for the recitation of the eucharistic prayer is a practice that has developed in some places. Is this acceptable?

REPLY: The GIRM no. 12 clearly states: "The nature of the presidential prayers demands that they be spoken in a loud and clear voice and that everyone present listen with attention. While the priest is reciting them there should be no other prayer and the organ or other instruments should not be played." This is a clear rule, leaving no room for doubt, since it is a reminder of wrong practices that have greatly impeded and diminished the people's participation in this central part of the Mass. Further, it is obvious that the organ's so - called background music often puts into the background what should be foremost and dominant. A "background" accompaniment of the priest's homily would be out of the question: but in the eucharistic prayer the word of the presider, «Tou proestou» in Justin's expression, reaches the peak of its meaning: Not 13 (1977) 94 - 95, no. 2.