I’m opposite of Cat. Like her, I am a Protestant convert. But, unlike her, I shed every attachment to that identity as soon as I converted. I vehemently dislike Protestant hymns, not only for their theological content (or lack thereof), but also for the musical quality of them. I do not want to go to mass and hear a guitar, as I can do that on my own. I do not want to go to mass and hear how someone “caught the Spirit,” as I heard that quite enough in my Protestant days. I do not want to go to mass to hear someone jamming out on a drum set, as I can go to my cousin’s house for that. I do not want to go to church and hear about how fuzzy and warm inside and loved it makes some feel, as I heard enough of that in my Protestant days. When I converted, I knew that I wasn’t just accepting a religion with a set of beliefs. I knew I was accepting a religion, a set of beliefs, a way of life, and liturgical worship centered on the Eucharist. It’s inevitable that, as our worship differs from that of Protestants in theology, so then, naturally, should the aesthetics. The aesthetics are what we, as physical beings, relay information with. If what we’re singing is of no more theological value than song of Protestants, then why not just call ourselves Protestants? If what we’re hearing is not different musically (as opposed to just lyrically) than Protestants, then why not just go to some Baptist church service after we receive communion at a Catholic mass? See what I mean?
Our religious identity is formed by our beliefs firstly. We believe that the Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. That is what our primary liturgical worship centers around; it’s a celebration of the confection of the Eucharist. Naturally, the music in that setting has developed, over thousands of years, into a repertoire of grandeur and beauty which is unlike that of any other religion. The music which is unique to the Catholic mass is a great teaching tool for the laity. As I said, our belief in the Eucharist is the basic principle of the Church, and as such, forms our identity primarily. But, as the music unique to our Church has stemmed from that belief in aesthetics and expression, it plays an enormous, albeit secondary, role in our identity. If we embrace all this stuff so Protestant-y in lyrics and style, then we are short-cutting ourselves, and more than that, equating the teaching efficacy of it with that of our traditional, tried-and-true, 100% Catholic music. While yes, in a utopian world, we wouldn’t be so affected by our music that it could perhaps make an impact on our beliefs as it does now, and we could play any sort and we’d still be just as devout, we’re not in a utopian world, and we’re not robots. We associate a certain style, aesthetic, with the Catholic Church, not only in music, but in architecture, vestments, etc., and if we reject these things, our beliefs, inevitably, are also impacted. The inward, while superior in value to the outward, is certainly, without a doubt, affected by it, and in no small measure.
I didn’t become Catholic to be the same as I was when I was Protestant. I was becoming Catholic, acknowledging the immense undertaking of such a decision, and was ready to face huge changes, and was excitedly looking forward to it. Thankfully, my parish is very old, the Redemptorist priests are devout, and so I attend masses that are generally extremely reverent, abuse-free in form and aesthetically very stereotypically “Catholic.” Over my short time of being in the Church, however, I have occasionally attended mass at other churches, and have found myself extremely confused and rather appalled at what I heard to be Protestant-sounding music and attitudes. I am extremely wary of these situations, and not because I’m some Catholic prude, but because I’m a convert, I know very well that belief and aesthetics go hand-in-hand. I believe that lyrics, if containing Protestant-sounding ideas even in the smallest amount, should not be sung. I believe, furthermore, that as the organ and chant are stereotypically “Catholic,” they should be embraced and utilized in every parish, even if the organ is a simple electric model with speakers interspersed throughout the nave. I believe that all Catholic churches should acknowledge and honor our musical history. When Catholics sing Protestant hymns and strum guitars campfire-style and turn up the bass with a drum set, they are saying to Protestants, “We are like you. We are in company with you.” And, if this goes on for long enough, it can, as I have seen clearly in some cases, turn into, “We believe what you believe,” and that is unacceptable.
As far as to whether we can get Catholics to sing, I’d prefer to listen to a professional or regularly-practicing amateur choir than a congregation with various levels of musical ability.
), are not reading notation. They are reading the words in the missal and singing by ear. It takes time, but not any more time than learning OF mass settings.