Has anyone heard "Let it be" playing during Mass?

[MH84]

I heard it recently in my home town parish. I wasn’t surprised considering that there are some other unorthodox practices going on there sometimes.

I was thinking that the song was about the Blessed Virgin, but later I heard that it is the name of one of the Beatles’ mums? I feel that when the music is irreverent, there’s a good chance the Mass may be not as reverent as it should be… But then again, what is “reverence”? Can we actually be “reverent” in the sight of God?

I know that Im often judgemental about liturgical abuses, but then I realise after I sin what a lowly hyprocrite I really am. I’m fussy about how the Mass should be celebrated, but I probably offend God more greatly than the average liturgical abuse does.

 

[LilyM]

I heard it recently in my home town parish. I wasn’t surprised considering that there are some other unorthodox practices going on there sometimes.

I was thinking that the song was about the Blessed Virgin, but later I heard that it is the name of one of the Beatles’ mums? I feel that when the music is irreverent, there’s a good chance the Mass may be not as reverent as it should be… But then again, what is “reverence”? Can we actually be “reverent” in the sight of God?

I know that Im often judgemental about liturgical abuses, but then I realise after I sin what a lowly hyprocrite I really am. I’m fussy about how the Mass should be celebrated, but I probably offend God more greatly than the average liturgical abuse does.

Here’s my two cents - the mere fact that the song is a pop song doesn’t make it irreverent - in fact, back in 1973 an Australian nun, Sister Janet Mead, had an international chartbusting hit with … the Our Father (a pop version, of course, but still the good ol’ Lord’s Prayer itself). You can’t tell me that the Our Father in any musical style is not ALWAYS a holy and edifying thing to listen to.

Neither does the original inspiration or source of the song make it irreverent. The Pope uses the title ‘Pontifex Maximus’ - you know this title for hundreds of years referred to the chief priest of the PAGAN Roman state religion? Is he being irreverent by using it?

And the Christmas tree - most likely a product, originally, of nature-worshipping druids and other pagan religions (most notably in Germany, where St Boniface made a point of destroying ‘sacred’ forests of trees to convert people from tree/nature worship to Christianity)?

I think, regardless of what Paul McCartney may say about the song, it expresses so perfectly the beauty and wisdom of the Blessed Virgin, and what she means to so many Catholics and other Christians, that it must just be one of those instances where the Holy Spirit grabbed the reins.

 

[Tietjen]

Here’s my two cents - the mere fact that the song is a pop song doesn’t make it irreverent - in fact, back in 1973 an Australian nun, Sister Janet Mead, had an international chartbusting hit with … the Our Father (a pop version, of course, but still the good ol’ Lord’s Prayer itself). You can’t tell me that the Our Father in any musical style is not ALWAYS a holy and edifying thing to listen to.

Neither does the original inspiration or source of the song make it irreverent. The Pope uses the title ‘Pontifex Maximus’ - you know this title for hundreds of years referred to the chief priest of the PAGAN Roman state religion? Is he being irreverent by using it?

And the Christmas tree - most likely a product, originally, of nature-worshipping druids and other pagan religions (most notably in Germany, where St Boniface made a point of destroying ‘sacred’ forests of trees to convert people from tree/nature worship to Christianity)?

I think, regardless of what Paul McCartney may say about the song, it expresses so perfectly the beauty and wisdom of the Blessed Virgin, and what she means to so many Catholics and other Christians, that it must just be one of those instances where the Holy Spirit grabbed the reins.

While I’ll agree that there is nothing wrong with the song “Let It Be” I do believe that there is a time and a place for everything. I personally do NOT believe that Mass is the place for Pop, Rock, Country, Rap, Alt, etc. music. That’s just my opinion however, and who am I?

 

[Claire_from_DE]

I heard it recently in my home town parish. I wasn’t surprised considering that there are some other unorthodox practices going on there sometimes.

I was thinking that the song was about the Blessed Virgin, but later I heard that it is the name of one of the Beatles’ mums? I feel that when the music is irreverent, there’s a good chance the Mass may be not as reverent as it should be… But then again, what is “reverence”? Can we actually be “reverent” in the sight of God?

I know that Im often judgemental about liturgical abuses, but then I realise after I sin what a lowly hyprocrite I really am. I’m fussy about how the Mass should be celebrated, but I probably offend God more greatly than the average liturgical abuse does.

I was in college in the '60’s and we ‘knew’ that mother Mary referred to marijuana. Just for that association I wouldn’t like to hear it in church.

 

[MH84]

I was in college in the '60’s and we ‘knew’ that mother Mary referred to marijuana. Just for that association I wouldn’t like to hear it in church.

Wow! I didnt know that. Let me get this straight: are you saying the term Mother Mary in the song is referring to marijuana? What a misuse of a holy name anyhow.

 

[Phemie]

Wow! I didnt know that. Let me get this straight: are you saying the term Mother Mary in the song is referring to marijuana? What a misuse of a holy name anyhow.

I’m a child of that generation and yes, Mother Mary in “Let It Be” is definitely marijuana, AKA “Mary Jane”. I can’t say that hearing that song ever brought visions of the Virgin Mary to my head.

 

[Joannm]

Mary was the name of Paul’s mother.

 

[Maxply]

Mary was the name of Paul’s mother, who died before he reached his teens. I’ve also heard the marijuana notion.Given all this, you gotta think there are other songs you could reach for.

 

[Leopard]

I was in college in the '60’s and we ‘knew’ that mother Mary referred to marijuana. Just for that association I wouldn’t like to hear it in church.

Yes, I head this, but it was also widely asserted at the same time that Puff, the Magic Dragon was also a song about marijuana, which both the singers and the songwriter have vigorously denied. See here.

Without confirmation of this by Paul McCartney, I would not be quick to accept this rumor as fact. Has he confirmed this and can this be referenced?

That being said, I have not heard Let it Be sung in Church for many years and I do not think it is a song suitable for liturgical use. Puff neither.

 

[Joannm]

Yes, I head this, but it was also widely asserted at the same time that Puff, the Magic Dragon was also a song about marijuana, which both the singers and the songwriter have vigorously denied. See here.

Without confirmation of this by Paul McCartney, I would not be quick to accept this rumor as fact. Has he confirmed this and can this be referenced?

That being said, I have not heard Let it Be sung in Church for many years and I do not think it is a song suitable for liturgical use. Puff neither.

Paul Stookey denied the marijuana connotation with "Puff "in an interview I saw with him on PBS. I also heard Paul McCartney in an interview say “Let It Be” was about his mother. Of course I would not know how to get transcrips of these interviews because I do not remember the specific shows these interviews were on.

 

[DebChris]

Mary was the name of Paul’s mother, who died before he reached his teens. I’ve also heard the marijuana notion.Given all this, you gotta think there are other songs you could reach for.

It was implied that many of the songs of that era referred to drug usage. Music,in and of itself is neutral. Yes there are explicit songs with words that give no doubt as to what meaning they are trying to convey; but it is also easy to get carried away and put negative meanings into songs that were never there.
Many did not know that the song referred to Paul’s mother. As a result, it has brought comfort to many individuals “in times of trouble and doubt.” When is it that we most often pray the rosary?
Mother Mary could easily be seen as our Blessed Mother “bringing words of wisdom, let it be.” Don’t worry. This too will pass. God will take care of everything.
I do not hear this song at Mass. However, when ever it enters my mind or I hear it on the radio, I take it as a cue to pray for my mother-in-law. It has always been her favorite song.

 

[brotherhrolf]

So quick was the change from the TLM to the NO that in May of 1969 my Catholic high school class sang Simon and Garfunkle’s Bridge over Troubled Waters and Sounds of Silence as the Offertory and Communion hymns at our graduation. I still resent this almost 40 years later. Secular music is just that -secular.

 

[ibkc]

Marijuana. Wow. Plenty of Beatles songs reference drugs, but this isn’t one of them. Paul McCartney would laugh in the face of anyone who said that to him. The song directly refers to his own mother, Mary McCartney, who was Catholic and who died when he was 14. He intended the song to have Catholic/Marian religious overtones - not because he was particularly religious (he is not), but because it was meant to be in honor of her and her beliefs.

 

[Cathryn]

Why are we using songs from non-practicing or fallen away Catholics? There seems to be no fruits. This “Mary” didn’t lead him to Christ. When Catholics sing together this song at Mass, it brings to mind “the Beatles”, not the Blessed Virgin Mary leading us to Christ.

 

[Cathryn]

I’d like to add that Paul’s mother’s “words of wisdom” is leaving out the part about “Let it be done unto me according to Your Word.” His “Let it be” seems to be an acceptance of “whatever crosses your path” without distinction. Somewhat like Doris Day’s, about 10 years before, “Ce Sera Sera”. “Whatever Will Be Will Be. The Futures not our to see.” (A child’s mother’s advice and words of wisdom.)

The Blessed Mother would never leave out the part that leads us to Christ Alone, and neither should the Catholic Church.

 

[puzzleannie]

I I know that Im often judgemental about liturgical abuses, but then I realise after I sin what a lowly hyprocrite I really am. I’m fussy about how the Mass should be celebrated, but I probably offend God more greatly than the average liturgical abuse does.

maybe use of stupid hymns is not the highest on the list of abuses, but one of the worst thing about these offenses is their attack on Christian charity, because they usually leave those who do know better and wish for better feeling guilty, while those who perpetuate the abuse remain self-satisfied. don’t apologize, just try to work around to being able to pray for these people, maybe they are not yet beyond hope

 

[JimR-OCDS]

A little tid bit about Paul McCartney. Paul is a Catholic. When the Beatles broke up, Paul and his family had to live on a modest income, until the lawyers sorted out all their earnings. There was some fights between John’s lawyers and the other three, and the money was tied up in courts for about 5 years. During that time, Paul moved his family to his farm in Scotland. There. he and his wife raised their children and lived off the farm. The thing that impressed me was that Paul went to Mass everyday.
Of course Paul was the only one of the four, to remain married to the same woman for 30 years.

Thee song let be, was about his Aunt Mary, who raised him, after his mother died. When he was asked if it was about the Blessed Mother, he said it could be, because his Aunt Mary had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother.

The marijuana story was fabricated by wishful users of the weed.

Jim

 

[ibkc]

A little tid bit about Paul McCartney. Paul is a Catholic. When the Beatles broke up, Paul and his family had to live on a modest income, until the lawyers sorted out all their earnings. There was some fights between John’s lawyers and the other three, and the money was tied up in courts for about 5 years. During that time, Paul moved his family to his farm in Scotland. There. he and his wife raised their children and lived off the farm. The thing that impressed me was that Paul went to Mass everyday.
Of course Paul was the only one of the four, to remain married to the same woman for 30 years.

Thee song let be, was about his Aunt Mary, who raised him, after his mother died. When he was asked if it was about the Blessed Mother, he said it could be, because his Aunt Mary had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother.

Paul did not have an Aunt Mary. His mother was named Mary, and it was she who had strong Marian devotions. He and his little brother were raised by his father - alone - after Mary’s death.

Paul was baptised Catholic, but has never practiced seriously. He may have attended Mass during the time he was holed up in Scotland during the stressful time of the Beatles’ breakup, I don’t know. He has written plenty of music with spiritual themes, but “Let It Be” is the closest he’s come to being overtly Christian. Even so, “Let It Be” was not intended to be a hymn and even though it is a heartfelt, beautiful and moving song, I don’t think it belongs in a Mass.

 

[SMHW]

I heard it recently in my home town parish.

Not since the mid seventies, if at all. I haven’t heard truly secular music at Mass around here since the early 1980s.

(But I know that parishioners still ask about including such music for weddings and funerals. Fortunately our deacons and music ministers are pretty good at saying, “No,” without offending people.)

 

[Cathryn]

“Let It Be” seems to one of those songs that can mean anything a person wants it to mean. It can be a sentimental song about mom for someone who thinks the idea of “Let it Be” is cool and considers it good wisdom. It can be about marajuana for some who choose it to be about marajuana. It can be about the Blessed Mother for someone who doesn’t mind that the part about “done unto me according to Thy Word” is left out. It won’t offend anyone. It is one of those songs that is all “relative”. Take away what you want from it. We are a “cool” Church. We love the Beatles, and no longer have hymns suitable for a liturgy that is full of awe and reverence.