Instruction On Sacred Music and Sacred Liturgy

De Musica Sacra

September 3, 1958

Author: Sacred Congregation of Rites

Chapter III-4. Musical instruments and bells.

F. The times when the playing of musical instruments is forbidden.

80. The playing of the organ, and even more, of other instruments, is an embellishment of the sacred liturgy; for that reason they should be

 accommodated to the varying degrees of joy in different liturgical seasons, and feast days.

81. Accordingly, the playing of the organ, and all other instruments is forbidden for liturgical functions, except Benediction, during the

following times:

a) Advent, from first Vespers of the first Sunday of Advent until None of the Vigil of Christmas;

b) Lent and Passiontide, from Matins of Ash Wednesday until the hymn Gloria in excelsis Deo in the Solemn Mass of the Easter Vigil;

c) the September Ember days if the ferial Mass and Office are celebrated;

d) in all Offices and Masses of the Dead.

82. Only the organ may be used on the Sundays of Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima, and on the ferial days following these Sundays.

83. However, during the seasons, and days just mentioned, the following exceptions to the rule may be made:

a) the organ may be played, and other instruments used on holy days of obligation, and holidays (except Sundays), on the feasts of the

principal local patron saint, the titular day, and the dedication anniversary of the local church, the titular or founder’s day of a

religious congregation, and on the occasion of some extraordinary solemnity;

b) the organ only (including the harmonium or reed organ) may be used on the third Sunday of Advent, and the fourth Sunday of Lent, on

 Thursday of Holy Week during the Mass of Chrism, and during the solemn evening Mass of the Last Supper from the beginning to the end of the

hymn Gloria in excelsis Deo;

c) the organ only may be used at Mass, and Vespers for the sole purpose of supporting the singing.

Local Ordinaries may determine more precisely the application of these prohibitions, and permissions according to the approved local or

 regional customs.

84. Throughout the Sacred Triduum, from the midnight before Holy Thursday until the hymn Gloria in excelsis Deo of the Solemn Mass of the

 Easter Vigil, the organ or harmonium shall remain completely silent, excepting the instance mentioned in paragraph 83b.

This prohibition holds even for private devotions during the Sacred Triduum; no exceptions or contrary custom are to be tolerated.

85. Pastors and others in charge must not fail to explain to the people the meaning of this liturgical silence. They should also take care

that during these seasons, and particular days the other liturgical restrictions on decorating the altar are likewise observed.

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