As an old bird, I can say I love Gregorian Chant and I deeply appreciate all the progressive elements of the Church have done for its promotion.
What you say? That daffy woman is giving the heretical liberals credit for Gregorian?
Yes, dear ones. Gregorian Chnat had totally died out until the 19th century liturgical movement revivied it, and not without some contraversy and opposition by the conservatives.
And by the eve of the Council, it was progressive Catholic parishes that offered quality Gregorian Chnat Masses, while conservatives were mostly content with Low Masses, since they only went to Mass to pray their rosary and say their private prayers anyway.
The Council was certainly the death sentence for poorly done Chanted Masses. What is left are a few parishes that offer Gregorian Chant of a quality that few pre-Conciliar parishes had, and it is a treasure.
I’m willing to estimate that about a quarter of the people attending Gregorian Chant Massess do so at Tridentine or traditionalist parishes and 3/4ths do so at progressive or liberal parishes. teh truth is that a good Gregorian Choir or Scola requires an active, engaged parish community. It hard to pull off in a parish led by a clericalist pastor. it needs a parish with the virtues liberals desire so earnestly – active and engaged sense of commmunity, lay participation in parish life, and a connection between pastor and people.
