And now a brief musical interlude

[Elzee]

With regard to Elizee’s question, I agree that going in with the suggested documents would probably not be the best way to handle this. She’d be running in trying to fix something that she likely doesn’t fully understand.

Elizee, if you really think this needs addressing, if you really think he’s leading people away or somehow denigrating the holy sacrifice of the mass (and from what you’ve written, the part about the laity reading the gospel concerns me the most), I’d suggest speaking with the pastor about this directly. Just a conversation about intention though, not a discussion of the rules. Ask him why he’s doing this, and discuss with him your concerns once he has laid out his thoughts. If I had to guess, I’d predict he’s doing this out of some folksy notion about including the participation of the laity in the mass that he probably picked up in seminary 20 or 30 years ago, and may be really trying to reach out to people and draw them in, in which case your discussion with him about how that just isn’t working and why would be much more useful than presenting him with the rules.

To my thinking, going to the rules is the option of last resort, as it means that I was unable to reach an agreement with the person from first principles and shared interests. It reflects, to me, a failure to connect. Now, if other methods haven’t done it, if you haven’t been able to discuss this and come to an agreement, resorting to the rues is what must be done, but I’d really suggest holding that option in reserve.

I think your advice and the advice from PaixGioiaAmor makes sense. I can totally understand if his reaction is what I anticipate (“who are you to tell ME”) and really couldn’t fault him for it (I didn’t mean to imply I would in my previous post). After all, I’m no liturgical expert that’s for sure and the little bit I do know doesn’t compare to what he knows. And, for the record per the posts above, there is no doubt showing him something from Adoremus would not be helpful. He has made known his dislike for “traditional, sacred liturgy” (bells, traditional hymns, incense, etc.)

 

[PaixGioiaAmor]

I think your advice and the advice from PaixGioiaAmor makes sense. I can totally understand if his reaction is what I anticipate (“who are you to tell ME”) and really couldn’t fault him for it (I didn’t mean to imply I would in my previous post). After all, I’m no liturgical expert that’s for sure and the little bit I do know doesn’t compare to what he knows. And, for the record per the posts above, there is no doubt showing him something from Adoremus would not be helpful. He has made known his dislike for “traditional, sacred liturgy” (bells, traditional hymns, incense, etc.)

What a shame.

None the less, you must argue the point in ways likely to help your position

 

[flarz]

For the last few weeks during Lent, there has been music played while the priest is reading the gospel. It hasn’t been overbearing, but usually some faint piano in the background. Is this permitted? I’m new to this parish and I’ve never seen it before at any other parish.

 

[Phemie]

For the last few weeks during Lent, there has been music played while the priest is reading the gospel. It hasn’t been overbearing, but usually some faint piano in the background. Is this permitted? I’m new to this parish and I’ve never seen it before at any other parish.

No, it’s not permitted to have music during the readings – not to mention that during Lent there is to be no music unless it accompanies singing.

 

[flarz]

I’ve noticed the same thing in my parish the last few weeks. I find the music during the Gospel reading distracting. To make matters even worse, the Priest will pause during the reading to allow everyone to respond with the chorus of the song. Weird.

 

[japhy]

I’ve noticed the same thing in my parish the last few weeks. I find the music during the Gospel reading distracting. To make matters even worse, the Priest will pause during the reading to allow everyone to respond with the chorus of the song. Weird.

This is so disheartening. Why is all this stuff becoming more and more popular?

 

[japhy]

No, it’s not permitted to have music during the readings – not to mention that during Lent there is to be no music unless it accompanies singing.

And let’s clarify that be saying that even if the readings are chanted (which is permissible) they cannot have musical accompaniment.

 

[benedictgal]

And let’s clarify that be saying that even if the readings are chanted (which is permissible) they cannot have musical accompaniment.

That is so true. Just catch a broadcast of the Palm Sunday Liturgy from the Vatican. The three deacons chant the Passion; the Sistene Chapel Choir chants the part of the people and there’s no music.

My big concern is that OCP released a musical setting for insertion in between the Passion. This is not supposed to happen; unfortunately, many parishes follow OCP blindly and wind up dong weird stuff.

 

[Phemie]

That is so true. Just catch a broadcast of the Palm Sunday Liturgy from the Vatican. The three deacons chant the Passion; the Sistene Chapel Choir chants the part of the people and there’s no music.

My big concern is that OCP released a musical setting for insertion in between the Passion. This is not supposed to happen; unfortunately, many parishes follow OCP blindly and wind up dong weird stuff.

Our Lectionary even splits the Passion into sections and in between sections it says: “At this point all may join in singing an appropriate acclamation”

 

[benedictgal]

Our Lectionary even splits the Passion into sections and in between sections it says: “At this point all may join in singing an appropriate acclamation”

I don’t believe that such a thing exists in our Lectionary. It’s not even posted in the misalettes, nor, in the Magnificat. I, too, have a Daily Roman Issal, and, it’s also not noted there.

The Spanish lectionary doesn’t have such a thing.

Go figure.

 

[japhy]

Our Lectionary even splits the Passion into sections and in between sections it says: “At this point all may join in singing an appropriate acclamation”

That’s in your Lectionary? Oh, Canada. (I don’t mean any offense by that, just that I’m learning Canada’s GIRM is not the same as the US’s.)

 

[Phemie]

That’s in your Lectionary? Oh, Canada. (I don’t mean any offense by that, just that I’m learning Canada’s GIRM is not the same as the US’s.)

So far we are still using the 1975 GIRM. The CCCB decided not to start using the 2002 GIRM until we get the new English Missal of which it is a part.

Our GIRM had different adaptations for Canada which didn’t apply to the US or vice versa. Posture was a big one. In the 1975 GIRM we only have to kneel at the words of consecration but it was left to the different dioceses to establish posture for their parishes. Most bishops left it up to the local priest. You had the adaptations written as an appendix to the GIRM (rather than imbedded in it as they are in this latest GIRM) while we seemed to not have had any adaptations whatsoever.

We will be getting a new Lectionary in the next couple of years since, after 12-15 years of wrangling, Rome and the CCCB have reached an agreement on the NRSV translation. Among other changes, this new NRSV (NNRSV??) will eliminate some of the inclusive language that plagues the present Lectionary.

 

[idrum677]

For the last few weeks during Lent, there has been music played while the priest is reading the gospel. It hasn’t been overbearing, but usually some faint piano in the background. Is this permitted? I’m new to this parish and I’ve never seen it before at any other parish.

[Edited by Moderator]

I hope its not a trend.

 

[Elzee]

[Edited by Moderator]

I hope its not a trend.

It has been the “trend” in our parish for at least the last 10 years.