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srfnolen
Guest
Even though the USCCB has approved it, a local diocese does not approve “Amazing Grace” as a liturgical song to be used during mass. Does anyone have an idea why they would disapprove?
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DavidFilmer
Guest
Probably because it has a very strong connection to protestant Christianity, and there are plenty of good Catholic songs.
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steve_b
Guest
Was it the diocese or was it a local parish that did not approve it?
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Usige
Guest
The most commonly cited reason is that it reflects Calvinist theology; in particular the second half of the second verse: “How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed.” For many it reflects a belief that grace proceeds from belief in opposition to Catholic theology that Grace flows from baptism and the sacraments.
Personally, I just get sick of it after a while. I agree with DavidFilmer that there are so many better songs to actually reflect Catholic theology.
Personally, I just get sick of it after a while. I agree with DavidFilmer that there are so many better songs to actually reflect Catholic theology.
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WT1
Guest
We sing it at Mass occasionally and it’s one of my favorites. Being a convert it’s nice to have a tie to songs of my religious youth.
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George_Stegmeir
Guest
I am in my 70’s. I attended a Jesuit Parochial School during the 1940’s, in which most of the teachers were Irish nuns.
To this end, I get very uncomfortable every time I hear Protestant hymn or Christmas Carol in a Catholic Church!!!
To this end, I get very uncomfortable every time I hear Protestant hymn or Christmas Carol in a Catholic Church!!!
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ComplineSanFran
Guest
Yet the words were written by an English vicar, John Newton. Not Calvinist at all.
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srfnolen
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A former bishop disapproved and each bishop since has been in agreement. Yes! I’m a convert from Baptist formation and the Catholic songs are phenomenal!
The question arose because during funerals especially, families desire “Amazing Grace” be sung per wishes of deceased. If included at all, the family is encouraged to have it played or sung prior to mass or at the graveside.
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ComplineSanFran
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There are some wonderful hymns that I have heard many times in both Roman Catholic and Anglican as well as Protestant churches. Hymns like ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’, ‘The King of Love My Shepherd Is’, and ‘For all the Saints’.
Don’t you think it’s lovely that we can share beautiful music?
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KendraDZ1902
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Catholic converts usually aren’t baptized as infants. I wasn’t and and that grace I felt after being baptized “first believed” was amazing.
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Usige
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I am just relating the most common objection. Wether that objection holds water or not is a different question.
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fred_conty
Guest
Actually it agrees with Catholic belief. The first gift of grace is the gift of faith itself which cannot be merited by work and is before any sacrament. This relates to the very first initial gift of grace, the push from the Holy Spirit to believe.
What this does is dispose the person to believe, to make that assent, which is a pure gift straight from God. So what this song says is sound Catholic theology.
My personal distaste for the song comes from all the movies I’ve seen with this song in them, which makes me wince whenever I hear it. In the movies the song chosen is either this one or “bringing home the sheep” which I also dislike. So IMO, neither of these songs should ever be played in church because they have been so commercialized. There has been another thread on this, and a number of people seem to feel the same way. So even if they are ok, out of the respect for other’s feelings and dignity of the sacred liturgy, I would hope they will be avoided in church.
May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.
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Della
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The lyricist, John Newton, had been in the slave trade in the 18th century. He was an adult convert to Christianity and became a vicar in England. Being an adult convert, he naturally wrote about his experience of adult conversion, which is why he doesn’t mention any sacraments. It’s a song about his personal conversion experience, not a theological treatise. 
The tune is a folk tune titled “New Britain.” The song does not violate Catholic teaching, but it’s not really the most appropriate song for Mass, as are a good many other songs old and new. As for it being too commercial, it’s not the only sacred song that’s been used by Hollywood in their films. Even chant has been used as well as Catholic hymns. But I do agree that it’s been overused and overexposed. The tune “New Britain” is traditionally played at funerals in England, usually on bagpipes, which is why it is used so much in films in which a funeral, especially a military funeral is depicted.
The tune is a folk tune titled “New Britain.” The song does not violate Catholic teaching, but it’s not really the most appropriate song for Mass, as are a good many other songs old and new. As for it being too commercial, it’s not the only sacred song that’s been used by Hollywood in their films. Even chant has been used as well as Catholic hymns. But I do agree that it’s been overused and overexposed. The tune “New Britain” is traditionally played at funerals in England, usually on bagpipes, which is why it is used so much in films in which a funeral, especially a military funeral is depicted.
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CB_Catholic
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I see this quite differently. One needs grace in order to believe, and that is what the author is talking about. The grace that enabled him to believe is precious indeed.
Yes, we Catholics believe that grace flows from Baptism and the Sacraments, but it is not confined to them. It was purely God’s grace that called the non-Catholic author of the song to conversion. And often, though we “believe”, and are baptized as infants, we often do not really have a heartfelt belief and a deep relationship with Jesus Christ that we need. I, personally, though baptized as a Catholic and educated in Catholic school, did not really make that connection with God until I was an adult, and had a grace-filled “conversion” experience and my whole life took a new direction. I have many Catholic friends and family who have related similar experience. This was a work of God’s grace . I fully understand and appreciate what the songwriter had experienced, and there is nothing Calvinistic about it. All Christians are called to conversion, whether God gives it in an “a-ha” moment, or quietly in a continuous growth toward Him. In any case, it is not we who call God, but God who calls us, and that is a work of God’s grace.
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steve_b
Guest
My dad was a convert. He liked that song as well…a whole lot actually
As an aside, of course as the song says salvation is by grace, a gift from God. Theologically speaking, as others have eluded, the words in the song could lead one to presume the conclusion they are saved so no worrys… and we know that’s not a presumption one should make.
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Della
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Yes, because of the line: “that saved a wretch like me…” Newton was referring to being saved from a life of sin–not necessarily to being “once saved always saved.” It’s another reason why the song is so ambiguous for people, and why it is interpreted according to each one’s theological lens.
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srfnolen
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That’s quite a history. Thank you for the information. I appreciate it.The lyricist, John Newton, had been in the slave trade in the 18th century. He was an adult convert to Christianity and became a vicar in England. Being an adult convert, he naturally wrote about his experience of adult conversion, which is why he doesn’t mention any sacraments. It’s a song about his personal conversion experience, not a theological treatise.
The tune is a folk tune titled “New Britain.” The song does not violate Catholic teaching, but it’s not really the most appropriate song for Mass, as are a good many other songs old and new. As for it being too commercial, it’s not the only sacred song that’s been used by Hollywood in their films. Even chant has been used as well as Catholic hymns. But I do agree that it’s been overused and overexposed. The tune “New Britain” is traditionally played at funerals in England, usually on bagpipes, which is why it is used so much in films in which a funeral, especially a military funeral is depicted.
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Della
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You’re welcome. About the diocese disapproving of AG, it may be that they simply feel it doesn’t meet the criteria of a song/hymn that is suitable for the Mass. It is associated quite heavily with Evangelical Christianity, which does interpret it as supporting “once saved always saved.” It may be the diocese is trying to wean it’s people off such songs to embrace more liturgically oriented/appropriate ones.
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HelenRose
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I really doubt if I could ever get tired of that song.
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound.
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost and now I am found
Was blind but now I see.
It can be sung when the readings for Mass include the parable of the lost sheep.
I can be sung when the readings for Mass include the stories of Christ healing the blind.
We can sing it every time we fall and Christ lifts us up.
Wretch that I am, His grace has saved me many times.
Amazing Grace how sweet the sound.
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost and now I am found
Was blind but now I see.
It can be sung when the readings for Mass include the parable of the lost sheep.
I can be sung when the readings for Mass include the stories of Christ healing the blind.
We can sing it every time we fall and Christ lifts us up.
Wretch that I am, His grace has saved me many times.
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Brandon_Cal
Guest
Being an Anglican and a Calvinist are not mutually exclusive. John Newton most certainly considered himself a Calvinist.
More than a Calvinist
John Newton (1762)
The doctrine of God’s sovereignty likewise, though not so generally owned as the former, is no less fully assented to by those who are called Calvinists. We zealously contend for this point in our debates with the Armimians; and are ready to wonder that any should be hardy enough to dispute the Creator’s right to do what he will with his own.
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