Arrgh! Horrible "Surprise" at Mass today

[Scottgun]

Wow! Guess I’m in the signifcant minority when I say that I like the “contemporary” Mass. I love that kind of music. In fact, I sing and play guitar for my parish’s contemporary group.

I wonder why people take such a strong stance on having “traditional” music.

 

[gelsbern]

I read a story about a jewish man that went to temple to pray and found that there were moneychangers, and people selling sheep, bulls and doves. It was total chaos with the lowing of the cattle, the bleating of the sheep, the talking of the people, the quarrels about the prices, the jingle of the coins - all this gave the Temple the semblance of a bazaar rather than the house of God.

That man got angry and kicked everyone out! But He had the authority to kick everyone out, and He was righteous in his anger. In our day and age, all we mere humans have as an option is leaving the temple when what happens inside the gives it a semblance of a rock concert, or anything but the sacrifice of the Mass.

 

[MJE]

A priest once told me that when one is attending a Mass that is offensive simply keep your focus on the crucifix until the final blessing.

 

[estesbob]

I think of the early Chrisians huddled in the catacombs celebrating mass and knowing if they are caught they will be killed. They did this beucause they knoew they ere about to receive out lord and Savior jesus Christ. i think of this anytime I am tempted to walk out of Mass because i dont like the way it is going. If i walk out of Mass it becomes about ME not HIM.

 

[mercygate]

No amount of terrible music prevents Christ from being present at every valid Mass. And believe me, no matter what the musical style there will always be times where the choir or musicians are having an off day. Can’t believe you would walk out for something so trivial.

Whenever the music makes me grind my teeth, I say to myself: Well, if Jesus can show up and listen to this stuff, I guess I can stick it out!

 

[st_lucy]

I read a story about a jewish man that went to temple to pray and found that there were moneychangers, and people selling sheep, bulls and doves. It was total chaos with the lowing of the cattle, the bleating of the sheep, the talking of the people, the quarrels about the prices, the jingle of the coins - all this gave the Temple the semblance of a bazaar rather than the house of God.

That man got angry and kicked everyone out! But He had the authority to kick everyone out, and He was righteous in his anger. In our day and age, all we mere humans have as an option is leaving the temple when what happens inside the gives it a semblance of a rock concert, or anything but the sacrifice of the Mass.

Yes I agree with you! But you are making the assumption that the sacrifice of the Holy Mass is not happening because of the band. I am saying that to your surprise that some of these people are not only aware of the sacrifice but truly believe and know what is happening.

All I am saying is that lets not be so quick to judge what is going on just because we are not able to get passed what is not familiar to us.

just my two cents

 

[AquinaSavio]

I wonder why people take such a strong stance on having “traditional” music. What makes that music any better than contemporary? Have you even looked at the authors of these traditional hymns? Half of them are Protestant, yet we sing them all the time. What makes those hymns ok but not newer ones? And what if the newer ones were done by Catholic artists? Would that make it ok?

The Church is based upon Sacred Traditions and the Bible. Why, after almost 2,000 years of those sacred hymns, do we need to change our traditions to accomodate those who prefer contemporary music? That’s not what the Church is about. It is one and apostolic, which means that it is the same as it was when Peter was Pope. Hence, there is no need to “update” liturgical music.

If it wasn’t for “contemporary” music I wouldn’t even BE in The Church. It was because of the words of a contemporary song at my parish that I started coming back to Church and it is still through the words of contemporary songs (traditional as well) that I find my greatest connection, my greatest communication, with God. 1 Corinthians 9:22b-23 - “I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.”

That’s fine…no one said that all contemporary songs are bad. However, I don’t think that they have a place in the Mass. The music at Mass is not meant to make us feel good, but to please God and show our love for Him.

for the people that walk out of the mass… so am i to understand the liturgy doesn’t exist for the glory of God, regardless of it being a polka mass or having dancers before mass, it exists for the viewer’s pleasure in light of their traditional preferences., evidently.

This isn’t just a matter of “traditional preferences,” Chris. This is a matter of grave liturgical abuses. When the Mass is being corrupted like this, why would a Catholic want to be a part of that? It’s offensive to God to have these dancers in bathing suits around the altar during the most sacred sacrifice of the Mass. If they fulfilled their Sunday obligation elsewhere, I don’t think there was anything wrong with what they did.

However, I agree that it isn’t good to walk out when the band is playing Protestant songs. However offensive, they don’t invalidate the Mass.

 

[Walking_Home]

for the people that walk out of the mass… so am i to understand the liturgy doesn’t exist for the glory of God, regardless of it being a polka mass or having dancers before mass, it exists for the viewer’s pleasure in light of their traditional preferences., evidently.

---

The Mass is the prayer of the Church. The Mass should exist —the way the Church has said it should be----That is the glory to God—the Church’s prayer. Any way other —is evident to be–the whims of those who control and change it.

 

[tkdnick]

The Church is based upon Sacred Traditions and the Bible. Why, after almost 2,000 years of those sacred hymns, do we need to change our traditions to accomodate those who prefer contemporary music? That’s not what the Church is about. It is one and apostolic, which means that it is the same as it was when Peter was Pope. Hence, there is no need to “update” liturgical music.

This isn’t just a matter of “traditional preferences,” Chris. This is a matter of grave liturgical abuses. When the Mass is being corrupted like this, why would a Catholic want to be a part of that? It’s offensive to God to have these dancers in bathing suits around the altar during the most sacred sacrifice of the Mass. If they fulfilled their Sunday obligation elsewhere, I don’t think there was anything wrong with what they did.

I don’t know of any hymns that are 2,000 years old. Even the Mass has changed in format over our 2,000 year history, so why shouldn’t the music change along with it?

As far as I know there are no canons that make reference to contemporary music being wrong, which means it isn’t a liturgical abuse. The only official document I know of that even makes reference to the music is the GIRM which talks about Gregorian Chant having place of preference except in places where there is a tradition of a different type of music.

I’m not arguing against the “traditional” stuff because I love that too. I just find it amazing that everyone is so against contemporary music.

 

[KnightforChrist]

tkdnick;1636125:

Contemporary pop sacred music is like Big Macs. I like Big Macs, I enjoy Big Macs. But just as I would not serve Big Macs to an admired guest for dinner, so we should not serve contemporary pop music to Our Lord and King.

I have to add to this…I would say it’s more like a WHOPPER !!!

They want it THEIR WAY !!! LOL!!!

I’m sorry, I had to jump on that one…terrible habit…

On a serious note, I’ve only encountered things like these being mentioned once, and although one side of me was thinking about leaving, the other side of me said, wait, stay for the readings/message and importantly the Eucharist and consider the great penance I would be missing out on…

I stayed and offered up the painful feelings/attitude I was having within myself for the poor souls in purgatory…

Hey, if anything just turn it around and “offer it up”…Never pass a chance to offer up a penance !!!

 

[DWPC]

Drove me nuts! I was so angry I walked out of the Mass…

Isadore, I would have left too. Better to leave than be full of anger during Mass. Don’t let the santimonius bunch get to you. Some of us learned to worship with reverence, but the contemporary American liturgy niether promotes or permits this. Our mass is increasingly becoming a weekly spectacle of patronizing self-indulgence, apparently in the name of improving pastoral ratings. I can no more worship God in the context of such banal music and arm-waving than if the priest was slaughtering chickens on the altar.

 

[AquinaSavio]

I don’t know of any hymns that are 2,000 years old. Even the Mass has changed in format over our 2,000 year history, so why shouldn’t the music change along with it?

Sorry, I didn’t mean that all of the traditional hymns were 2,000 years old. However, this type of music has been used for centuries, and is obviously rooted in strong traditions.

Although the Liturgy has been slightly changed throughout history, most notably by Vatican II, the essential nature of the Mass has remained the same. The misinterpretations of Vatican II have led to the more secular music that is dominant in the American Church today. The Redemptionis Sacramentum clearly says that the faithful have a right to sacred music. However, most American Catholics seem to be deprived of it.

As far as I know there are no canons that make reference to contemporary music being wrong, which means it isn’t a liturgical abuse. The only official document I know of that even makes reference to the music is the GIRM which talks about Gregorian Chant having place of preference except in places where there is a tradition of a different type of music.

No, it doesn’t constitute a liturgical abuse…that is why we are arguing about the philisophical points of it. If there was an official Church document which said that contemporary music must be embraced, then I would have no leg to stand on. However, the Congregation for Divine Worship will never issue any such statement, so the topic is open to debate.

I’m not arguing against the “traditional” stuff because I love that too. I just find it amazing that everyone is so against contemporary music.

Many of us are against it because we see the bad fruits of contemporary music. This is the kind of music that I play in my car, not that I should be listening to in Church. It often takes the focus off of the true meaning of the Mass. The instruments usually very distracting, especially drums, trumpets, and pianos. The organ and those traditional hymns represent a simple, beautiful music that is conducive to prayer and adoring God. I would much prefer that to the hand-waving, boisterous contemporary music.

Just my two cents.

 

[tkdnick]

Sorry, I didn’t mean that all of the traditional hymns were 2,000 years old. However, this type of music has been used for centuries, and is obviously rooted in strong traditions.

Although the Liturgy has been slightly changed throughout history, most notably by Vatican II, the essential nature of the Mass has remained the same. The misinterpretations of Vatican II have led to the more secular music that is dominant in the American Church today. The Redemptionis Sacramentum clearly says that the faithful have a right to sacred music. However, most American Catholics seem to be deprived of it.

I prefer a mix. I love singing the contemporary stuff as well as the traditional stuff. I think it’s awesome when we can do a contemporary song, a traditional song, and some Gregorian chant all in the same Mass.

No, it doesn’t constitute a liturgical abuse…that is why we are arguing about the philisophical points of it. If there was an official Church document which said that contemporary music must be embraced, then I would have no leg to stand on. However, the Congregation for Divine Worship will never issue any such statement, so the topic is open to debate.

True, I doubt we will ever see a Church document issuing a statement against a particular style of music, as long as it’s religious music.

Many of us are against it because we see the bad fruits of contemporary music. This is the kind of music that I play in my car, not that I should be listening to in Church. It often takes the focus off of the true meaning of the Mass. The instruments usually very distracting, especially drums, trumpets, and pianos. The organ and those traditional hymns represent a simple, beautiful music that is conducive to prayer and adoring God. I would much prefer that to the hand-waving, boisterous contemporary music.

Believe me, I’m with you about it being important for the music not to take away from what is really important at Mass. I’m not a fan of the hand waiving and jumping all around and clapping and all that. I really struggle with that at times because I don’t want people to see our music group as what is most important. But for me, the contemporary style is conducive to prayer and adoring God. So is the traditional style and Gregorian Chant, but I find a more personal connection and communication when singing/praying the contemporary stuff.

One of my favorites:
Word of God speak
Would you pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to see your majesty
To be still and know that you’re in this place
Please let me stay and rest in Your holiness
Word of God speak

 

[WenckebachCath]

Our parish has a contemporary Mass which is quite tastefully done and very uplifting. I see nothing inherently superior with older music. As one person mentioned, many traditional hymn were written by Protestants, not that I have a problem with that if the music and lyrics are well done.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Wow! Guess I’m in the signifcant minority when I say that I like the “contemporary” Mass. I love that kind of music. In fact, I sing and play guitar for my parish’s contemporary group.

I’m with you on this.

I too enjoy contemporary music, providing it’s Christian spiritual music. I like the St. Louis Jesuits, Marty Haugen and David Hass but I particularly like John Michael Talbot.

I also like Gregorian Chant.

What ever music helps us to worship God, I enjoy.

But then, many think I’m a heritic anyway.

Jim

 

[Marsha_Adams]

for the people that walk out of the mass… so am i to understand the liturgy doesn’t exist for the glory of God, regardless of it being a polka mass or having dancers before mass, it exists for the viewer’s pleasure in light of their traditional preferences., evidently.

Wrong, Chrismyster, very wrong. The liturgy does exist for the glory of God. The question is when we go to a Mass that does not glorify HIm what is our obligation?

I went to a Mass once in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. During the entire liturgy the Priest never referred to God once, insisting instead on referring to Him always as Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier – EVEN DURING THE LORD’S PRAYER!! The homily was read by a woman while sitting down from the book Tuesdays with Morrie. By the time we got to the Eucharist, I was not even sure that the Mass was adequately valid to allow transubstantiation to take place. Suffice it to say, we left before communion.

Hypothetically speaking, what would you do if after the consecration, the Priest shot the Hosts over the congregation’s heads and they had to jump up and catch them like Mardi Gras beads? I bet you would leave rather than witness the profanation of Christ’s Body. So why shouldn’t we leave Mass when lesser blasphemies are committed?

Marsha

 

[DWPC]

The OP, Isadore, isn’t talking about the common dreary OPC “contemporary” stuff; he’s objecting to a rock & roll mass. Rock music as a genre is deeply and firmly rooted in sexuality, irreverance, and rejection of authority. Though those attributes give it a perverse appropriateness for the contemporary American Church, some Catholics are offended by rock music in their Church, let alone as part of the Liturgy.

 

[Rand_Al_Thor]

Pax vobiscum!

To answer the question from the poster on why traditional music is so important, Vatican II said that the music of the Church (Gregorian chant and sacred polyphony) is a greater treasure of art than anything else the Church possesses. That means greater than the Basilicas of St. Peter, St. Paul, St. Mary Major, the Sistine Chapel, the pieta, ect. The musical heritage of the Church, according to Vatican II, is a greater gift of art than all of those things.

In Christ,
Rand

 

[mrs_abbott]

It seems to me that they should have had some announcement about the change in the Mass format BEFORE that day so that folks would know what to expect.
The parish I went to while I was in college switched their 11am Mass to Spanish, due to the increasing number of Spanish-speaking attendants. There was announcements in the bulletin two weeks before the switch was made so that folks could make arrangements to attend the Mass of their preference.
I planned to attend the Saturday night Mass because I’m not a morning person and didn’t feel like attending the later Mass that I knew I couldn’t comprehend.
There’s NEVER a good excuse for walking out of Mass, unless, like a previous poster said, something horrid is being done with the consecrated hosts by the priest or something.
If the music was a little “out of line”, read the prayers in the hymnals or something.

 

[Paganus]

I go to Mass at the 7pm last chance Mass (last one in the diocese), expecting the usual lukewarm homily, Haugen & Haas, and the massive cremation. Its about the best I can expect in this diocese. Anyway, I got a wonderful surprise when Mass started, and we were informed that from now on, that this would be a “Teen Mass”, and the organist was now replaced by teens with acoustic guitars.

…I always thought that although I wasn’t really happy with the Mass at this parish, that it could be much worse. Well, today we got a load of Protestant music…my wife (ex Baptist) was very familiar with what they decided to play…since they use that exact same music at the Mega-Church down the street…

Drove me nuts! I was so angry I walked out of the Mass…

I know exactly how you feel. I have done the same thing. I was wrong to do it. Next time offer it up.