In many Episcopal churches, the one part of the Eucharist that appears to have been untouched by the liturgical renewal of the past 30 years is the Holy Communion. In most churches, soft organ music is played as the members of the congregation shuffle to the communion rail. Or the choir quietly sings hymns and anthems. The tone of Holy Communion is that of a funeral. A visitor may be given the impression that this particular congregation has not yet heard the good news that Christ is risen from the tomb, that he has conquered death. The same risen, victorious Lord is really and truly present in the word, in his gathered people, and especially under the forms of bread and wine. What is missing from these churches is the joyful singing of the people of God during the Holy Communion, the happy voices of the redeemed. This is the feast of victory for our God. What tongue then can keep silent? The singing of hymns, psalms, canticles and worship songs by the people during the reception of communion does more than enable people to express the joy of the occasion and to voice their praise and thanksgiving. Singing by the people during the reception of communion, like the common cup and one loaf of bread, make our oneness in Christ more tangible. Our unity can be heard as well as seen. It is a strong reminder that the act of communion is something that we do together, and not in isolation from each other. It sets the procession to the communion rail apart from the everyday experience of waiting in line, and restores an ancient practice going back to the first five centuries of the Christian Church. For a brief moment we experience a foretaste of the wedding supper of the Lamb.

To encourage people to sing during the administration of Holy Communion, the importance of using hymns and other familiar songs cannot be over-stressed. Hymns, psalms, canticles, and worship songs with easily-memorized refrains are highly desirable as they enable the people to continue to sing as they are processing to the communion rail. Songs with simple, repetitive lyrics also work well. A congregation's repertoire of songs need not be large. Frequent repetition enables people to learn the songs by heart and to sing them from the heart. Rectors and music directors should be sure to give careful attention to the appropriateness of a song for the moment during the administration of communion when it will be sung. Nothing seems more ludicrous than the choir and the congregation singing an invitation to communion such as "Let us break bread together on our knees" during the clearing of the table.

A good idea is to reserve the first one or two songs during communion for the people. If an anthem is desired, it might be sung after these songs. Anthems tend to highlight the gifts and talents of the choir rather than our oneness in Christ, and can too easily displace the songs of the people during communion. The choir, however, can introduce new communion songs by singing them as simple anthems. Repeating each new communion song for several consecutive Sundays is a good idea as it will help people to master the song. Members of the choir can function as cantors. The choir also can embellish communion songs with part singing and descants.

A communion song can be lengthened by singing the refrain twice after each stanza. An instrumental interlude can be inserted between stanzas. When a new communion song is introduced, the refrain can be repeated in the same way the first two or three times the song is sung. This will help people to learn the words and music of the refrain. They will be able to participate in the singing while they are learning the stanzas of the song.

If the congregation is small and does not have a choir or music group to lead the singing, the congregation can be divided into sections. One section can sing while the other section receives communion. This is another situation in which songs with easily memorized refrains and/or simple, repetitive lyrics are highly desirable. Alternatively, one or more cantors can be recruited to lead the congregation in singing during communion, using responsorial psalmody or other songs. The cantor or cantors sing the stanzas of the communion song; the congregation joins in on the refrain. Some communion songs can be sung without accompaniment. All that a congregation needs to sing is one or more strong, pleasant voices to lead the singing.

Among the hymns in The Hymnal 1982 particularly suitable for congregational singing during the reception of communion are "Let us break bread together on our knees," "I am the Bread of Life," "God is love and where true love is," "What wondrous love is this," "Jesu, Jesu, fill us with your love," and "This is the feast of victory for our God" "Alleluia, Alleluia, give thanks to the Risen Lord" and "I want to walk as a child of the light" are appropriate for use immediately before or after the Post-Communion Prayer.

The hymnal supplements Songs for Celebration and Come Celebrate contain a number of songs with easily-memorized refrains and/or simple, repetitive lyrics appropriate for use during the Holy Communion. These songs include "Hallelujah, my Father," "Jesus, I love you," "Jesus is our King," "Worthy the Lamb," "Jesus, remember me," and "Broken for me."

The Roman Catholic hymnals Gather, Gather II, Gather Comprehensive, Ritual Song, and the latest revision of Glory & Praise are good sources of contemporary communion songs. Among these songs are "One Bread, One Body," "Now in this banquet," "Take and eat," "Eat this Bread," "Psalm 34: Taste and see (James Moore)," "Bread to share," "You satisfy the hungry heart," and "Psalm 23: Shepherd me, O God." Clergy and church musicians do not have to look far for communion songs that will transform the Holy Communion into a communal celebration of the resurrection and the real presence.

The Holy Communion is the victory feast for our God. It is the time for joyful singing by the whole liturgical assembly. We share in that victory. We share in its fruits. The Victor himself is here with us. We can make only one response: Alleluia! o

Robin Jordan is member and singer at St. Michael's Church, Mandeville, La.