Gregorian/Catholic Chants

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jenwha

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Hi,

I have recently discovered some Catholic chants (not sure of the difference between Catholic or Gregorian) but they are basically psalms/prayer in Latin sometimes set to music on You Tube. I’ve never heard anything more beautiful in my entire life.

The Latin gives me the shivers as it is 1000% “prettier” than English, plus I’ve heard of course that is the language the saints prayed in, etc. Listening to these lately I feel about 50 times more close to God. They are really really having an effect on me.

My question is, is there anywhere one can go to actually hear these done anywhere in Catholic churches? If so, is it only in big cities or around special masses/holidays? If not,
does anyone know why not? Does anyone “use” them as a way to “get into the mood for God” or chant themselves???

If they did chants like that in my church I would go every single day. What a way to center on God. The Latin, the Latin. I am a fan! Any (name removed by moderator)ut would be appreciated.

😃
 
I agree. It’s a supernatural, special language, not like ordinary English. Also, if you get a chance, go to a traditional requiem (funeral) Mass. Beautiful chants. If you don’t have a traditional Mass nearby, there’s always CD’s.
Pax.
 
jenwha said:
Hi,

I have recently discovered some Catholic chants (not sure of the difference between Catholic or Gregorian) but they are basically psalms/prayer in Latin sometimes set to music on You Tube. I’ve never heard anything more beautiful in my entire life.

The Latin gives me the shivers as it is 1000% “prettier” than English, plus I’ve heard of course that is the language the saints prayed in, etc. Listening to these lately I feel about 50 times more close to God. They are really really having an effect on me.

My question is, is there anywhere one can go to actually hear these done anywhere in Catholic churches? If so, is it only in big cities or around special masses/holidays? If not,
does anyone know why not? Does anyone “use” them as a way to “get into the mood for God” or chant themselves???

If they did chants like that in my church I would go every single day. What a way to center on God. The Latin, the Latin. I am a fan! Any (name removed by moderator)ut would be appreciated.

😃
Click to expand...
There are quite a few monasteries using Gregorian chant daily or occasionally in their liturgy. Near where I live there are three (two of women, one of men): women just outside of Montreal in Deux-Montagnes, men in Saint-Benoît-du-Lac about 130 km from Montreal (I am an oblate of that abbey) and women in Westfield, Vermont. All of these abbeys allow visitors to attend their liturgies including Mass. There are probably quite a few more (Clear Creek in Oklahoma comes to mind), and many more in Europe.

Many of these abbeys put out recordings of their music. The abbey of Solesmes in France is the most famous of these, and that is the abbey charged by the Vatican with studying and preserving chant. You can download much on iTunes.
 
Yes, it is quite sad how people are no longer being taught Latin. I tried to teach myself, but I had little success. I love Gregorian chants. They are just so awesome! I wish churches everywhere had them, or at least had chanting in general 😦
 
jenwha said:
Hi,

I have recently discovered some Catholic chants (not sure of the difference between Catholic or Gregorian) but they are basically psalms/prayer in Latin sometimes set to music on You Tube. I’ve never heard anything more beautiful in my entire life.

The Latin gives me the shivers as it is 1000% “prettier” than English, plus I’ve heard of course that is the language the saints prayed in, etc. Listening to these lately I feel about 50 times more close to God. They are really really having an effect on me.

My question is, is there anywhere one can go to actually hear these done anywhere in Catholic churches? If so, is it only in big cities or around special masses/holidays? If not,
does anyone know why not? Does anyone “use” them as a way to “get into the mood for God” or chant themselves???

If they did chants like that in my church I would go every single day. What a way to center on God. The Latin, the Latin. I am a fan! Any (name removed by moderator)ut would be appreciated.

😃
Click to expand...
I know exactly how you feel. being in our church’s choir, I have pushed hard to start learning Latin chants. I wish you the best of luck in finding a church that uses these or implementing them in your church. Pax tecum!
 
Timothy_Garber said:
Yes, it is quite sad how people are no longer being taught Latin. I tried to teach myself, but I had little success. I love Gregorian chants. They are just so awesome! I wish churches everywhere had them, or at least had chanting in general 😦
Click to expand...
I would agree to chant in English! I don’t understand the aversion to chanting. I try to teach myself also but it is very difficult without a choir or instructor to help you.
 
latingirl said:
I would agree to chant in English! I don’t understand the aversion to chanting. I try to teach myself also but it is very difficult without a choir or instructor to help you.
Click to expand...
In the Byzantine Rites, everything is chanted except for the homily and the confession of faith. But the homily used to be chanted!
 
Now that the Holy Father has allowed the Tridentine Mass, you can hear Gregorian Chant during Holy Mass in many places. You may begin your search here. I have been going for two weeks now to the Tridentine Mass on Sunday and the Gregorian chant coming from the schola cantorum is a powerful experience, indeed - it allows you to “feel” the gift of Awe of the Lord.

However, the extraordinary rite of the Mass is not, as others have pointed out, the only place in which Gregorian chant can be found.

Chant in the Vernacular would not be the same…but it’s never truly been out of question. Here is an article on the topic.

I was just listening to the Dies Irae, amazing. Of course, it’s better to first know what is being said).

Mors stupebit, et natura,
Cum resurget creatura,
Iudicanti responsura…

A part of me looks forward to that day.

End of the digression 😊
 
jenwha said:
Hi,

I have recently discovered some Catholic chants (not sure of the difference between Catholic or Gregorian) but they are basically psalms/prayer in Latin sometimes set to music on You Tube. I’ve never heard anything more beautiful in my entire life.

The Latin gives me the shivers as it is 1000% “prettier” than English, plus I’ve heard of course that is the language the saints prayed in, etc. Listening to these lately I feel about 50 times more close to God. They are really really having an effect on me.

My question is, is there anywhere one can go to actually hear these done anywhere in Catholic churches? If so, is it only in big cities or around special masses/holidays? If not,
does anyone know why not? Does anyone “use” them as a way to “get into the mood for God” or chant themselves???

If they did chants like that in my church I would go every single day. What a way to center on God. The Latin, the Latin. I am a fan! Any (name removed by moderator)ut would be appreciated.

😃
Click to expand...
I am not certain about the whereabouts of any Catholic parishes that have Gregorian Chant but I think some monasteries have Gregorian Chant.
 
Holly3278 said:
I am not certain about the whereabouts of any Catholic parishes that have Gregorian Chant but I think some monasteries have Gregorian Chant.
Click to expand...
In the archdiocese of Sherbrooke, Quebec, once a month from September to May or June our schola chants the Propers and Ordinary at ordinary form Masses. Each month we chant at a different parish. In Canada at least I know of a couple of cities where this is done. I would assume (or rather hope!) we’re not alone.
 
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