It WOULD be fine so long as the music (this is always the case) in no way negatively impacted the Mass. We all have our favorite sort of music and our favorites are not necessarily always the best nor certainly the only appropriate music for Mass.
Just make sure it is music from USCCB approved sources. You are not permitted to use just any old music or songs during Mass.
“USCCB approved sources?” What does that even mean in this context?
When I’ve been in the African American parishes, they had special Catholic hymnals, so perhaps that is what Bro. Rich is referring to. Basically, you can’t just sing any Gospel hymn. That said, I believe the OP is in the United Kingdom and not in the U.S., so would the USCCB and what it approves even be considered there?
No it would be the Bishops Conference for England and Whales (sp?)
True but the USCCB certainly does not approve each song by title that may be sung in a Catholic Church. The Church gives general guidelines.
Since when is Gregorian Chant not appropriate for the Mass? Every Pope has lauded its usage in the Sacred Liturgy.
I think there are a lot of gospel songs that could fit in the church. In fact there are several in the missallette already: Take My Hand Precious Lord, Just A Closer Walk With Thee, Were You There, How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace, All Hail! The Power of Jesus Name. Those are the ones I can think of at the moment.
These are sadly lacking.I think emotions are very important in music especially in conveying a sense of devotion and prayerfullness; these and other traits, sadly seem to be lacking in our more modern vernaculars.
Of course there are tons of sacred Catholic music we don’t sing anymore, so I can’t really see introducing any of the above, until we bring back our own music.
You make a very valid point. The Church is not Western European-centered any longer in terms of actual members. More and more it’s truly becoming world-wide institution.
I had top laugh. What is “our music” If you are talking about old world chants, then you really need to expand see were the Church is today. Our music is what ever the music of the country and culture were the Church exist.
Right now, over half of all Catholics are in southern hemisphere countries. **It is no longer Euro-centric **and will never be again. Writers on this site only see the Church through Euro-Amercan eyes which is a huge mistake, since it is much more dinamic than that.
Gospel masses are wonderful, they are full of the Holy Spirit with a great deal of praise. Traditionalist, I propose, need to have a wider view of the faith. It is growing in ways that they do not or refuse to see, holding onto ideas that no longer fit the modern world or church. This is not a critisizm, I love and follow the traditon of the Church, but those who refuse to move with the times and direction of the Church, may be left behind. The approval of the TLM was not an effort to move backward, but forward. It was a way to say that our traditions are honored, to bring all to the table to start putting aside differences that exist within the Church, an work for our common good which all exist in the body of Christ." If a house is divided against itself, that house (church) will not be able to stand. {MK3:25}
Peace,
FAB
Point is, those involved in liturgical music needs to be sure that the text of songs/hymns from other denominations, and even from our own religion, is appropriate for a Catholic mass. That goes for text as well as genre and style. It also means one must determine if the music they are using is part of specific culture or if it is used to bring innovation and novelty. The USCCB does set the guidelines and we are to hope that Catholic hymnals will have the experts to determine this. But even then, there have been hymns used in certain hymnals which have questionable text on theology and such. Of course, hymns and sacred music are not just approved by title. That would be irresponsible. One must look at the text and the music.
I do not know of any Gregorian Chant specifically done for liturgy being deemed inappropriate for mass. Actually, it is perhaps the only form of sacred music in which there is no controversy in regards to appropriateness for text as well as music. The Church has never said that chant was inappropriate. The reason being is because it has always had its origins in prayer and worship even before Christianity. The controversy which involves this music is whether or not it is “relevant” and in with the times for use today. All other forms of religious and sacred music - from polyphony, to orchestral masses, to traditional hymns, P&W music and Gospel music have had some sort of controversy. Polyphony has since gotten over that hurdle, but the rest of the forms still must endure it and stand the test of time in regards to appropriateness for mass. The newer styles are going through the beginning stages of it. The Church works very slowly, and there may be a point where the Church will eventually decide that these forms are completely inappropriate or appropriate* if *they refine the style.
They’re wonderful if it is sung by people who understand it and have the right voices for it. It’s worse than hearing poorly-written saccharine songs, mainly because Gospel music, when sung by people who understand it and have the right voices for it, is good music with good harmony and such. Plus it is usually part of a certain culture. It is part of their lives and souls. It’s sometimes a lot worse when you hear a good piece of music be butchered. It’s like hearing pop singers trying to sing operatic arias or classical sacred music - and vice versa. To me, when I hear mostly white choirs trying to sing Gospel hymns, they just try too hard and it doesn’t sound right. People need to have the wherewithal AND humility to know their strengths and weaknesses. I don’t sing Gospel or Jazz because my voice isn’t for those forms. I’m too classical-sounding and sound like I’m trying to be something that I’m not - no matter how much I enjoy hearing it as a listener.
That music has Protestant all over it!. If they can’t offer the EF Mass, there is absolutely no place for another form of the OF Mass (Life Teen, Gospel, Techno etcc).