33.

QUERY 2: When the «Gloria» and «Credo» are not sung but just recited, sometimes the celebrant conducts the recitation in alternation with the congregation. But since a hymn and a profession of faith are at issue and these involve the assembly as a whole, does this practice seem to be keeping with the rubrics? REPLY: The rubrics of the Order of Mass, drawn up in a practical fashion, have only this on the «Gloria»: "the hymn is sung or recited" (no. 5) and on the «Credo»: "the profession of faith. . .is made" (no. 15). As is often the case, the GIRM shows progress of a spiritual order (nos. 31 and 43), by bringing out the community character proper to these texts and by stressing the dialogic style for their recitation. a. As to the «Gloria», the GIRM no. 31, to preserve its character as a hymn, says: "It is sung by the congregation, or by the congregation alternately with the choir, or by the choir alone. If not sung, it is to be recited either by all together or in alternation." By preference, therefore, the «Gloria» should be sung. Otherwise it is recited by all either together or in alternation. The celebrant should join with the assembly's singing or reciting of the «Gloria» together or with one sector of the assembly's dialogic recitation or else he should recite the hymn in alternation with the assembly. b. As to the «Credo», the GIRM no. 44 says: "Recitation of the profession of faith by the priest together with the people is obligatory on Sundays and solemnities. It may be said also at special, more solemn celebrations. If it is sung, as a rule all are to sing it together or in alternation." Therefore, whether sung or recited the «Credo» belongs to the entire liturgical assembly, which says it together ("all") or sings it as two alternating choirs: Not 14 (1978) 538, no. 14.