Holy and Beautiful Music

[E.E.N.S]

What does G-chant teach? nothing.

I disagree that chant has nothing to teach, in fact I think there is far more to learn from various chant types than ANY modern hymn or ditty that I have ever encountered. That being said, that is not the topic of this thread…

It’s at the end of the spectrum of non-participatory music…

Today, in a parish that has long since forsaken its roots, yes I would agree with you that it would be a bit harder for the congregation to “participate”…but alas, that is just the symptom, not the problem. It really takes only modest effort to learn the chants (especially the ones proposed that EVERY parish learn and use in Jubilate Deo…), and then only in the beginning. At our parish, 99% of our music is in Latin and either Gregorian Chant or some polyphony, (with the occasional Holy God We Praise Thy Name.)

Coming from someone who has only been Catholic for 10 years (I am a convert), and only been going to Latin Masses for an even shorter time, I can say that it’s not hard to learn how to fully participate by any means. Heck, I will even speak for my friends and family to boot, as they have recently joined in as well and not only do they follow along beautifully, but they are able to sing along with many of the various latin hymns and the ordinaries of the Mass too.

I find it hard to believe that you can’t do in 50 years, what others can do in just 50 days. Something smacks here…

…we can’t even tell what they’re singing about.

You are aware that the very words of the chant are the same words that the priest is praying and that is printed in the missal, right? (Also, much of what I wrote above applies to this as well.)

If you simply don’t like it, well then you don’t like it, but your arguments hold no substance.

---

Side note: I agree with much of what you posted other than the three things I quoted above though.

 

[DennisBerry]

You are quite welcome. I usually listen to this station while online… they have both music and sermons. Right now, they are discussing the Shroud of Turin
dc.ferrelli.cc/TCR/TCR.php

Thank you for that link. I’ve been looking for a source of music for a while. After listening to this for a few minutes I’ve decided it’s exactly what I was looking for

 

[Cat]

I couldn’t attend Mass today, but I must admit that I did not miss the acute pain in my soul when the congregation was certain to have sung some Protestant Easter hymn/s. I keep hearing in the depths of my being the rendition of the Alleluia Chorus from Easters long ago. Too bad today’s choir directors often aren’t able to accomplish that task with their charges.

Are you talking about the Hallelujah Chorus, the Hallelujah Chorus, the one that goes, “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth?”

It was written by George F. Handel, an extremly PROTESTANT composer.

It was written in English.

I attended Easter Vigil Mass at the Cathedral in St. Louis this year. For the last six years, since converting to Catholicism from evangelical Protestantism, I have attended the Vigil at my home parish, except for the year that my daughter converted to Catholicism and we went to the Liguorian parish in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

I didn’t care for the music in St. Louis. I dislike much of chant because I prefer a strong and beautiful melody. I personally do not consider random notes beautiful. I want order, not randomness. The lack of melody in much of the ancient and ancient-style Catholic music really bothers me.

To me, this kind of amelodic music encourages a random faith that dithers along and walks with mincing steps and effeminate gestures. I want to hear music that makes me sit up in my seat, listen hard to hear and assimilate the words (in my own language) into my soul, and then get up and march, yes, MARCH out the church door into a world that needs strength as much as beauty. I don’'t want to hear languid music in church, and what I do hear, I want to thoroughly understand.

I recognize that others hold different opinions and I respect those opinions. I hope that I am not condeming the OP personally or others who agree with them.

The music in my home parish is a mixture of traditional and contemporary, and I like this.

As for “Protestant hymns,” there is a thread listing Protestant hymns elsewhere on CAF. These are beautiful songs with strong, sensible melodies that stick with me long after I have left the church pew. It is my very strong opinion that rather than condeming these hearty, lovely melodies and uplifting lyrics as “non-Catholic,” instead, we need to make adjustments to the lyrics (or write new ones) and include the melodies in our Masses. The Catholic Church could use some power in the music.

BTW, the music in Mass is not about what we personally like, right? Therefore it really doesn’t matter whether we like chant or rock–it’s what the Church approves for our Masses. As long as the music fits the rubrics, we should submit.

 

[Barbkw]

There was very artistic music on EWTN, until the Sisters left to their new nunnery in Hanceville. EWTN is basically back to the 1960’s and, of course, that’s the way THEY like it.

What music did they have in the 1960s?

Largely speaking, at the EWTN daily Mass, the hymns are in Latin.

 

[puzzleannie]

What happened to Catholics listening to Gregorian Chants? The only type of music that Catholics are listening to now is that Christian rock and modern Christian music. In my opinion, this is the farthest religious music from holiness (it’s not very beautiful either). I feel as though I am one of the only Catholics still proud of our holy, beautiful, and trditional Gregorian Chants (and I’m only 16). I never knew the traditional Church. If anyone else feels the same way, please reply.

I don’t think Catholics ever listened to chant for entertainment, at least until popular Chant recordings came out a few years ago and made two generations of Catholics aware of our lost heritage. Chant is for worship, not entertainment.

there is nothing wrong with listening the Christian popular music especially if it replaces lyrics with secular anti-Christian values, as entertainment, and the same person who prefers chant for worship can enjoy Christian pop/rock for entertainment. Some of the best is also suitable for praise and worship outside formal liturgy, especially in ecumenical settings,.

even when I grew up in the pre-V2 days we did not hear chant at Mass, except sometimes for Mass settings, but more often simply hymns and anthems in Latin or English, most often sung by a choir not the congregation.

 

[InquisitorMax]

Chant requires effort from singers. Even then, it’s not hard to find out what "Agnus Dei’ or ‘Kyrie Elieson’ means. Go to a few masses and you can sing along to the Ordinary, according to the season. You can learn as little or as much as you want.

I wonder if ‘I want music I like’ is a trap which the Church, through using Chant, deliberately tried to avoid. For example, I’ve heard it’s deliberately without rhythm, so you can’t dance to it.

Whereas with modern music it devolves to the simplest, most banal music and is at the mercy of the strongest personality in the choir.

‘I want music I can understand’ + ‘I want music people can easily sing’ + ‘I want music I like’ = Cheese.

 

[nickiswank]

I’ve always loved Gregorian chant, even back in my “I hate God and everything He stands for” days. It’s beautiful, and a refreshing change of pace. I would absolutely love to go to a Mass with chant, I think it would be an amazingly spiritual experience.

Yet, while I would love Gregorian chant or even just gorgeous classical music like Mozart or Bach in the Mass, when I’m at home and I let my hair down, I love modern christian music. I go to a prayer service every Thursday that’s simply dimmed lights and praise/worship music, music I can sing and really understand, music that inspires me to lift my hands like it says in the psalms and just let go and be present with God.

I love listening to classical music when I pray the rosary or the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, especially the music that seems to go with the mood of the mysteries. I cry, I feel uplifted and spiritually comforted, and in the presence of God. But I also feel that way at home when I listen to modern christian music, even christian rock.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that there’s a time for gregorian chant and classical music, and time for jamming out to some upbeat rock music. The former would be perfect at Mass, while the latter is more suited to cleaning my apartment while singing into my broom handle like I’m a rock star.

 

[TrueLight]

Are you talking about the Hallelujah Chorus, the Hallelujah Chorus, the one that goes, “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth?”

It was written by George F. Handel, an extremly PROTESTANT composer.

It was written in English.

And it’s awesome!

I attended Easter Vigil Mass at the Cathedral in St. Louis this year. For the last six years, since converting to Catholicism from evangelical Protestantism, I have attended the Vigil at my home parish, except for the year that my daughter converted to Catholicism and we went to the Liguorian parish in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

I didn’t care for the music in St. Louis. I dislike much of chant because I prefer a strong and beautiful melody. I personally do not consider random notes beautiful. I want order, not randomness. The lack of melody in much of the ancient and ancient-style Catholic music really bothers me.

To me, this kind of amelodic music encourages a random faith that dithers along and walks with mincing steps and effeminate gestures. I want to hear music that makes me sit up in my seat, listen hard to hear and assimilate the words (in my own language) into my soul, and then get up and march, yes, MARCH out the church door into a world that needs strength as much as beauty. I don’'t want to hear languid music in church, and what I do hear, I want to thoroughly understand.

I have to admit that I was a little disappointed in the Easter mass I attended. I missed all the beautiful hymns I am used to. We did sing “Christ the Lord is Risen today” which I was very happy about, but I felt like no one was singing but me.

As for “Protestant hymns,” there is a thread listing Protestant hymns elsewhere on CAF. These are beautiful songs with strong, sensible melodies that stick with me long after I have left the church pew. It is my very strong opinion that rather than condeming these hearty, lovely melodies and uplifting lyrics as “non-Catholic,” instead, we need to make adjustments to the lyrics (or write new ones) and include the melodies in our Masses. The Catholic Church could use some power in the music.

Amen and Amen!

I have been singing in choirs since I was about 5 years old and music is very important to me. I love Gregorian Chant, but I feel we can open up our repertoire a bit more. There are all kinds of reverent, beautiful, music.

 

[WingsOfEagles]

I like a mix of music. I think that Gregorian Chant is beautiful, especially in a big Cathedral, but I think the Christian rock has a place too. I’d never want to hear Christian Rock in Mass, but when I’m riding in the car or relaxing at home, it’s a nice alternative to completely secular music with terrible lyrics. I think it’s a personal preference thing.

 

[jesuspsr]

I’ve been listening to gregorian chants for a very very long time. Thier music is so soothing and relaxing.

 

[Cat]

I’ve been listening to gregorian chants for a very very long time. Thier music is so soothing and relaxing.

I guess it depends on where you are in your walk with Christ.

For me, at this time in my life, my soul needs less “soothing and relaxing” and more “Wake up and get busy in the work of the Lord, you lazy, complacent, ungrateful slob!” :yawn:

I think that there are Catholics in both camps, those who need to be soothed and those who need to be shaken.

Interestingly, I don’t find any kind of chant soothing unless the singer is very good. There is nothing more grating than badly-done chant. uch: But even if the singer is very good, I still find chant jarring because there is no regular melody or rhythm. To me, this is unsettling.

Different strokes for different folks, right?

 

[patrick457]

I guess it depends on where you are in your walk with Christ.

For me, at this time in my life, my soul needs less “soothing and relaxing” and more “Wake up and get busy in the work of the Lord, you lazy, complacent, ungrateful slob!” :yawn:

This and this and this would probably do the trick of waking you up - as long as the volume is set up to max - in a physical sense.

 

[jesuspsr]

I guess it depends on where you are in your walk with Christ.

For me, at this time in my life, my soul needs less “soothing and relaxing” and more “Wake up and get busy in the work of the Lord, you lazy, complacent, ungrateful slob!” :yawn:

I think that there are Catholics in both camps, those who need to be soothed and those who need to be shaken.

Interestingly, I don’t find any kind of chant soothing unless the singer is very good. There is nothing more grating than badly-done chant. uch: But even if the singer is very good, I still find chant jarring because there is no regular melody or rhythm. To me, this is unsettling.

Different strokes for different folks, right?

LOL, I agree. Here’s another one I enjoy listening to, music of whale’s no instruments in the background just whale’s singing. Or flute music from the Indes.
Mind you, this is only for me to relax after a hard stressed day. Other then that it’s rock of the 70"s. As I’m typing this, where I live at this time of year get’s very windy so I open the window and listen to the wind blowing, I call that God’s natrual music.

God bless

jesus g

 

[Monica4316]

What happened to Catholics listening to Gregorian Chants? The only type of music that Catholics are listening to now is that Christian rock and modern Christian music. In my opinion, this is the farthest religious music from holiness (it’s not very beautiful either). I feel as though I am one of the only Catholics still proud of our holy, beautiful, and trditional Gregorian Chants (and I’m only 16). I never knew the traditional Church. If anyone else feels the same way, please reply.

I listen to Gregorian chant as well

 

[Cat]

This and this and this would probably do the trick of waking you up - as long as the volume is set up to max - in a physical sense.

Sorry, patrick457. Sounds like the Wicked Witch’s guards in The Wizard of Oz. (Bo-dee-oh, beyoh-doh). I honestly don’t like it, and switched all three pieces off after listening less than a minute. Creeps me out.

I also highly dislike not understanding words.

Thanks for trying.

 

[E.E.N.S]

This and this and this would probably do the trick of waking you up - as long as the volume is set up to max - in a physical sense.

Very nice!

 

[BenedictOblate]

Here’s Victimae Paschali Laudes.

If you are going to listen to chant, it might as well be a version that is performed extraordinarily well. Chanticleer, while being a secular ensemble, performs vocal music at the highest artistic level. If you can’t find God in a musical rendition of this caliber, you might as well quit trying.

youtube.com/watch?v=Uxi_4D87hYM

 

[tabitha19]

I’m not really into listening to heavy metal and rap christian music (to me it isn’t quite christian-like) but I do like listening to soft pop. I like this because well I use to listen to stuff like Black Eyed Peas or Lady Gaga, but I found that there were better christian songs out there. Am I bad for this?

 

[jesuspsr]

I’m not really into listening to heavy metal and rap christian music (to me it isn’t quite christian-like) but I do like listening to soft pop. I like this because well I use to listen to stuff like Black Eyed Peas or Lady Gaga, but I found that there were better christian songs out there. Am I bad for this?

No not at all, but lady gaga really.

 

[MontChevalier]

Exactly what sort of songs can be considered “sinful” for a member of Catholicism?

-MontChevalier