Are Catholics allowed to debate whether or not the Church forbids guitars at Mass? I, personally, am inclined to believe that Church documents and papal statements forbid them. Is this an okay position for me to take? I have a tendency to want to show support for things that defend my view. By doing this am I able to stay in line with Church teaching. If not I’d happily change my opinion.
Dear C794,
Cordial greetings and a very good day.
Whilst Holy Mother Church has not expressly forbidden the use of guitars (or other modern musical instruments) in divine worship, many men are of the opinion that singing repetitive ditties and rousing ‘worship songs’, accompanied by drums and/or guitars, is not conducive to a spirit of reverence and a sense of the numinous. Unfortunately, dear friend, a want of due reverence in divine worship is all too common nowadays in our churches and has resulted in Holy Mass resembling more a Protestant Pentecostal style service, complete with hand-clapping and even swaying in the pews. The Jews under the old economy were enjoined by God to “reverence my sanctuary” (Lev. 19: 30) and we Christians should likewise see that we carry ourselves with a due decorum when at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Modern day Catholics have, I fear, forgotten that Mass is a very solemn occasion and that the Holy Eucharist is Christ Himself present in the consecrated Host, whether on the altar or in the tabernacle. Let us therefore behave accordingly and worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness and not after the manner of the world.
The new free and easy approach to public worship undoubtedly suits many contemporary Catholics, especially the youth, as it is much less formal and demanding than the older style of worship, with its Gregorian Chant and traditional hymn singing with organ. However, this new approach to worship has sadly driven many older conservative people away from the their beloved parish because it has made them feel so uncomfortable and unhappy. This, dear friend, is surely a monumental tragedy, as many of them have been associated with their parish church for a good many years, but now no longer recognize it owing to the swift pace of change and many innovations. To be told that one must move with the times is very small comfort to someone in their seventies or eighties and only further adds to their sadness and sense of alienation.
Along with the guitars and new worship styles has come an inordinate emphasis on being joyful and smiling, which is something that seems to have been imported from Protestant Evangelicalism. It is usually said by way of response to this reasonable observation that Catholics have much to be joyful about and that each Lord’s Day is supposed to be a minor celebration of Easter. Be that as it may, the fact is that prior to the 1960’s Holy Mass was always a most solemn occasion and very dignified affair, with men and women dressing very formally and duly reverencing the House of God. Moreover, there is, I think, a complete misunderstanding today as to what authentic Christian joy actually is. True joy is something deep within a man’s soul and is often not even expressed in the countenance, nevertheless, it is still very real all the same. This sort of joy is not about singing along with guitars and clapping hands, but about getting a man through his darkest affliction filled hours and giving him the necessary fortitude to deal with his divers trials and tribulations. It is truly the ‘joy of the Lord’ which is his strength. Modern Catholics need to realize that not everyone who has a smile on their face at Holy Mass necessarily has a smile on their hearts - carnal joy can be very superficial no matter how noisy it is.
God bless.
Warmest good wishes,
Portrait
Pax
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