Where do the cantor/psalmist best positioned to sing psalms during Mass especially when the church has a choir loft? Can the person be permitted to sing responsorial psalms from the choir loft?
The Introduction of the Lectionary for Mass states, in paragraph 22: “The responsorial psalm is sung or recited by the psalmist or cantor at the lectern.” The General Instruction of the Roman Missal states, in paragraph 61: “Hence the psalmist, or the cantor of the Psalm, sings the verses of the Psalm from the ambo or another suitable place.” The clear preference is that the psalm be led from the place where the readings are proclaimed, however another “suitable” place may be used. What does this mean? If we remember that the psalm is in dialogue form, a proclamation of the Word of God with verses and response exchanged between the psalmist and the rest of the assembly, a place that is visible is important, even if it cannot be the ambo (the lectern of the readings). Singing the psalm from the choir loft, while clearly not forbidden, makes as much sense as reading the readings from behind the seated people. This placement should be used only if there is a serious pastoral reason to do
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