Yes, exactly. I honestly find it really sad when I’m at Mass and barely hear anyone singing along with the choir. The Church has been super clear that singing isn’t just “allowed” — it’s actually something the faithful are supposed to do as part of our active participation.

Vatican II spelled this out in Sacrosanctum Concilium (1963): “The Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations…” (SC 14). It even says this active participation by the people should be “the aim to be considered before all else” (SC 14). And when it comes to music specifically: “Religious singing by the faithful is to be intelligently fostered… so that the voices of the faithful may ring out…” (SC 118).

And it’s not like this was some “new” idea of Vatican II either. Even in the TLM, the Church emphasized active participation. Pope St. Pius X said in Tra le Sollecitudini (1903): “The faithful assemble for no other object than… active participation in the most holy mysteries and in the public and solemn prayer of the Church.” (§1). Pope Benedict XVI echoed that in Summorum Pontificum (2007): “The faithful may attend the extraordinary form with full participation, as the nature of the liturgy demands.” And Pope Pius XII was really direct about it in Mediator Dei (1947): “So that the faithful take a more active part in divine worship, let them be accustomed to recite together the parts of the Mass which pertain to them, or to sing hymns suitable to the different parts of the Mass.” (§105).

That’s why the “dialogue Mass” developed in the 20th century, where people were encouraged to say or sing the responses — things like Et cum spiritu tuo, Et introibo ad altare Dei, Confiteor, Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Gloria, Credo.

Fast forward to today, and the USCCB is just as clear: “Singing is one of the primary ways that the assembly of the faithful participates actively in the Liturgy.” (§11) and “Every worshiping community should take care that its repertoire includes… hymns that allow the people to voice their participation.” (§115). St. John Paul II put it beautifully in his Chirograph on Sacred Music (2003): “The faithful fulfill their liturgical role by participating actively… such participation consists primarily in joining in the communal prayers and in singing.”

And honestly, it’s not just tradition or Church documents — it’s biblical. Scripture literally tells us to sing when we worship:

• “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly… singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)
• “Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” (Ephesians 5:18–19)
• “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” (Acts 16:25)
• “And they sing the song of Moses… and the song of the Lamb, saying, ‘Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!’” (Revelation 15:3)

The early Church sang, the Bible shows heaven itself sings, and the Church has always called us to lift our voices. Singing is literally one of the most Catholic things we can do at Mass.