Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quito (Agenzia Fides) On February 11, feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, a
presentation was held of the new Liturgical Song Book “Celebrate Singing,” a
publication put out by the Ecuadorian Episcopal Conference, through the Commission
for Liturgy and Sacred Music, as an instrument of formation and a
guide for singing in celebrations of the Sacraments. The act began at 12
noon, with a Mass presided by Archbishop Lorenzo Voltolini Esti, Archbishop
of Portoviejo and President of the CEE’s Episcopal Conference for the Liturgy and
Sacred Music, in the Chapel of the Military Episcopate. Later,
there was a presentation of the work in National Catholic Radio’s
Auditorium.
“Celebrate Singing” promotes the formation of music ministers in parishes,
teaching them the basic liturgical criteria and reading notes, with the goal
of offering formation to the choir as well as to the assembly in the various religious celebrations. The publication includes new songs with their chords for accompaniment, sheetmusic, as well as instructions and guidelines on liturgical music. The book is available to all the parishes, Church movements, and religious institutions of the country, especially for use within the liturgy.
The new song book has as its main purposes: to praise God with music and singing, give a solemn context to the liturgical celebrations, promote the active participation of the entire Christian community, offer liturgical/musical formation and guidelines for correct use of songs within the celebrations, and re-introduce some of the songs from among the wealth of traditional music in the Church, together with more recent compositions.
The song book has six main divisions: Celebration of the Sacraments, The Mystery of Christ in the Liturgical Year, The Lord’s Feasts, Witnesses to the Lord’s Pascal Mystery, The Church’s Daily Prayer, In the Church at the Service of the Kingdom and Liturgical Formation. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 12/2/2008 righe 27, parole 300)
