Abstract:
Song and music in the ritual context of the liturgy in the Catholic Church: challenges for the
formation of agents in the Diocese of Vacaria/RS. The sounds of nature, selected and
combined, gave origin to the musical art. Music belongs to human culture; it is constitutive of
its own existence. In the approach of this topic, the first chapter of this work looks for a
historical approach to music. It investigates the anthropology of music and its ritual relation to
the sacred, also as a part of Christian rites. The II Vatican Council has restored, in the
Catholic Church, the value of musical art and increased its possibilities. The musical art
begins to be inserted into the sacramental rites. More than singing in the liturgy, there is the
need to sing liturgy itself. Music begins to be understood as a means of participation, helping
the faithful to express their faith, their gratitude and their needs. In the second part, one looks
for an approach to the liturgical-musical reality of the Diocese of Vacaria/RS. Besides the
historical-geographical localization, there appear significant elements obtained through a field
research. Having as a referencial point the Course of Liturgical and Pastoral Singing (Curso
de Canto Litúrgico e Pastoral =CCLP), since three years in function, one tries to perceive
what understanding persons have of music and the form by which it influences their lives.
Afterwards, the research tries to capture the function of ritual music in liturgy in the opinion
of the persons interviewed. In a general way, the persons interviewed show their
understanding that a well-song celebration animates the journey and makes the Christian
Church to be alive. There is, therefore, the need to prepare the agents of musical art, in order
that they contribute to perform living celebrations through an appropriate use of music and
song in the liturgical celebrations. The third chapter of the present work tries to point out
practical indications for the formation of ministers of song and music, as well as for acting in
liturgical rites. Such indications take into consideration the steps which already became reality
since the conciliar renewal, especially the reflections and requirements necessary for the
evangelizing action from the point of view of the Theology of Liberation. This way of
reflecting and making theology has inspired significant steps in the biblical reinterpretation
and continues to offer methods of pastoral analysis and reflection, including liturgical ones.
To the agents of song and musical ritual of the Diocese of Vacaria/RS, it is suggested to act
by taking into consideration the faithful as subjects of the liturgical action, offering them
active participation and moments of true communication with their Creator, through wellsong
liturgies. The suggestion is the continued and progressive formation on various levels,
counting on the collaboration of the subjects of this process, namely, the agents themselves.
