Contemporary music at mass

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116 states that Gregorian Chant is to have “pride of place” in the Church. That’s more than high esteem.

I never said that other forms of music couldn’t be used, only that it must be sacred music as approved by the Church.

120 allows for other instruments only by the decision of the local bishop. That’s what I said from the get go. It is for the bishop to determine what constitutes a sacred instrument. It is not “anything goes”.
 
I am not offended or bothered if a church chooses to play contemporary style music during the mass.

There are far more interesting and pressing things to concern ones-self with today.
 
Gregorian chant, imo is the most beautiful music on earth. I turned off tv 5 years ago and stopped listening to secular music probably almost 10 years ago. But this post reminded me of the first time I went to a Protestant church (I was introduced to Jesus via a Protestant man)…but this church was playing The Beatles “Come Together” at my very first “service”. At the time I thought is was so cool. Now, as I am learning Traditional Catholicism I’ve learned the Beatles were influenced by Aleister Crowley…not a good guy. Occultist, magician and Satanist. You are correct Whyeyeman…the world IS evil and we would do well to only be in it and not of it.
 
Um, well, I think contemporary worship music helps people get to church and enjoy the music.
Music in church is for worship, and I think it’s sometimes hard to get people into the organ or traditional chants. It’s easier for people to immerse themselves in worship with something they’re used to, something their comfortable with. That doesn’t make it unholy, for people to be comfortable with contemporary worship music, either. God doesn’t want us to struggle in worshiping Him, He wants it to be something we enjoy, and find easy to enjoy.
And I don’t see what makes the organ holier than any other instrument. It’s still “worldly”, just an older kind of instrument.
However, if when you mean by “worldly” is that someone’s playing AC/DC in the church, then yes, I agree with you, that does not belong in mass.
whyeyeman said:
Your focus is not on the pews or People’s clothes or on the wood. However, a large part of your focus is directed to the music. If this music is manifestly worldly, then this can be troublesome for the spiritual orientation of the mass.
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If the music at church is still Christian music, worship music, I don’t see how you could call it worldly. Because God blesses someone with the talent/skill to play guitar, is it still worldly because they’re playing guitar?


Does this song focus your mind on worldly things or God’s Greatness?
God blessed people by giving them the words to the songs. God can speak to people through any kind of worship music, new or old, worship music is meant to glorify Him.

I myself play piano and sing for my church, my brother plays guitar, and I have a friend that plays drums. And still, it puts my heart in such a place of humility and worship. God gave us these talents, and we intend to use them for His glory…

I’m not looking for an argument. This is just my humble opinion. Sorry if I seemed like this was attacking your opinion, this is a subject that is close to my heart.
 
Speaking of where the Church is growing, it was my privilege to be part of many truly beautiful Masses that were the blossom of the reform and renewal of the liturgy after the liturgical movement and the Second Vatican Council. One Mass that shall forever be with me is this one with Pope Benedict as Presider. The video is the Gospel procession.

 
I don’t think any contemporary music can compare to these easily recognizable chants:
 
A guitar can also be suitably adapted as a sacred instrument… but again that’s the bishop / pastor’s call.
 
Gregorian chant is sacred. Some kid twanging away on a guitar is not.
 
No it isn’t “very hard”…not at all.

Personally, I prefer the drums and the indigenous instruments of Africa to a guitar, however.

But I have been Presider at Eucharist with a great variety of instruments from many cultures.
 
It is very much Catholic. There is a traditional Catholic teaching that there are three enemies of the soul: the world, the flesh and the devil. This does not mean the world was created bad, but simply that it is inhabited by sinful men and demons.
 
whyeyeman said:
That’s not really an argument, is it. Tradition is what holds Catholicism together.
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Silly me. I thought it was the Holy Spirit.

Comparing Church Tradition, as normally defined as our set of Doctrines, with something as transitory as music, is not the same. That latter sort of traditionalism is a form of Catholic spirituality.
 
This is kind of a stupid thread. If I were to appeal to tradition, I would point out that tradition as doctrine has nothing to do with music. I would also point out that traditional practice is even simpler. It is the bishop that is in charge of the liturgy. I have never cared one whit for some stranger that never darkens the doors of my parish thinks about the type of music I use. It is not tradition, but American culture that makes us think our opinions and tastes should matter to others. Or maybe it is broader than America and part of out social media think.

I care about the opinions of my priest, bishop and my fellow parishioners.
 
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Debbie_Kono said:
I don’t think any contemporary music can compare to these easily recognizable chants:
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I agree, but only because ti think the idea of comparison useless in general. It hardly works from person to person, much less across cultures. In the context of the Mass, what elevates the spirit of one and is conducive to worship is never universal.

For my part, that is why I deem variety essential. I know the value of both chant and traditional hymns. I also understand the value of contemporary praise and worship. The advantage to using a broad base of liturgical music is that you can avoid the mundane, which I define as being kind of force, and stick with the best of all genres.
 
The reason I care is not because I want to control people, but rather because traditional practices tend to create higher church attendance and therefore more souls are saved.
 
An interesting opinion, but still an opinion. It is also not one born out in my diocese where far fewer attend the Mass in Latin. So by your reasoning, we should have zero Latin, since that is the one in which fewer “souls are saved.”
 
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LumberJack said:
I wonder how this would stand up at Midnight Mass? It’s acapela so resembles chanting and it’s certainly ‘sacred’ in its lyrics as well as the performers having quite beautiful voices…
[Pentatonix video]
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Interesting. In Heaven there must be a district where the angels sing like that.
 
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