J
janessa1850
Guest
When I attended The Easter Triduum this year, I made some startling realizations. It must have been taking place gradually, and I had noticed this in some Catholic Masses: The Catholicity of Mass has been gradually infiltrated by Protestant music, Protestant traditions, Protestant mindsets. But IN MY OWN CHURCH this year, the Easter Triduum was a terrrible disappointment. The Biggest, most important Holy Day of the year; let me tell you about it:
Holy Thursday- dominated by the Spanish-speaking members of our parish; no majesty; no incense until the last 2 minutes; the singers sang “Were You There” (a Good Friday song). Let me add that the statues in the Church had not been covered for Lent, therefore the stage had not been set for sorrow and then subsequent rejoicing of Easter. The Mass was way too simple for a Holy Thursday in my opinion. The piano player was good, however.
Good Friday-no majesty; no prostrations; no organ music;no choir; we reverenced an empty cross; singers sang a song about resurrection (inappropriate). Besides this, the singers needed more practice. The Good Friday account which is read every year had no drama or power. The Mass was dead dead dead
The Easter Vigil was similarly disappointing, however, there was at least some organ music with a small choir. The priest announced what was going to take place next in a very informal, casual way. Again, no majesty, no mystery, no feeling of awe, no Spirit.
When I came into the Catholic Church in the 80s, the majesty, reverence, beautiful choral music, the “catholicity” I witnessed (people took God seriously-it was not just “lip service”. Some would have their rosaries out during Mass; there were a couple Sisters who still wore their veils; the music of the Schola-accompanied by a real pipe organ- was often by Latin or old European authors, played by someone accomplished at the organ; when a more contemporary choir sang, the piano was very beautifully played; Father did not allow secular music to be played inside the Church. The Schola even learned the Gloria from Mozart’s 12th Mass and sung it at a Choir Concert in 1989). Yes, there are still a few of the Old Faithful Catholics at Mass, but largely the congregation has been Protestantized to such an extent that they could be transported into any mainline Protestant church and be at home there. Just my opinion. Anyone else notice this?
Holy Thursday- dominated by the Spanish-speaking members of our parish; no majesty; no incense until the last 2 minutes; the singers sang “Were You There” (a Good Friday song). Let me add that the statues in the Church had not been covered for Lent, therefore the stage had not been set for sorrow and then subsequent rejoicing of Easter. The Mass was way too simple for a Holy Thursday in my opinion. The piano player was good, however.
Good Friday-no majesty; no prostrations; no organ music;no choir; we reverenced an empty cross; singers sang a song about resurrection (inappropriate). Besides this, the singers needed more practice. The Good Friday account which is read every year had no drama or power. The Mass was dead dead dead
The Easter Vigil was similarly disappointing, however, there was at least some organ music with a small choir. The priest announced what was going to take place next in a very informal, casual way. Again, no majesty, no mystery, no feeling of awe, no Spirit.
When I came into the Catholic Church in the 80s, the majesty, reverence, beautiful choral music, the “catholicity” I witnessed (people took God seriously-it was not just “lip service”. Some would have their rosaries out during Mass; there were a couple Sisters who still wore their veils; the music of the Schola-accompanied by a real pipe organ- was often by Latin or old European authors, played by someone accomplished at the organ; when a more contemporary choir sang, the piano was very beautifully played; Father did not allow secular music to be played inside the Church. The Schola even learned the Gloria from Mozart’s 12th Mass and sung it at a Choir Concert in 1989). Yes, there are still a few of the Old Faithful Catholics at Mass, but largely the congregation has been Protestantized to such an extent that they could be transported into any mainline Protestant church and be at home there. Just my opinion. Anyone else notice this?
. I’ve noticed that in our music missal on the inside cover there is a sort of disclaimer stating that non-Catholics should not recieve communion because “we” are not in union WITH them. There has been a subtle integration ( which I think is laziness). I pray for the priests, a lot, to have and KNOW the courage of flexing the necessary muscle.
