How Can LifeTeen Masses Be Considered A Good Thing?

[pnewton]

A good article addressing this topic at EWTN by Fr. Edward McNamara is: Protestant Songs at Mass?

It is an okay article. I find it contradictory that he says music is not a choice of personal taste, but then describes the 70’s music as “dreadful”, as if taste does not matter unless it is his.

On the bright side, he affirms, “Pastors, with the help of their music directors, should select these texts with great care lest the legitimate poetic license enjoyed by composers lead to confusion among the faithful.” This upholds the Catholic principle of subsidiarity.

In terms of Protestant music, I do think there is a difference between singing “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” (which is in several Catholic hymnals these days) using guitars, and contemporary Christian songs that promote Sola Fide.

You know, I have been around various Christian music for a long time. I do not remember one that promotes this. Kind of like Martin Luther writing the word “alone” in the Bible, I think you have to add something to songs that aren’t there to see this doctrine. On the other hand, I think the real game killer in Protestant music is “once saved, always saved.” I know of several that promote that. There are also other issues. The other day I was scanning an old hymnal (Baptist). I think about a third of the songs were doctrinally dubious. Most of the Praise is just that. Praise, and okay for all Christians.

 

[Corki]

I do not know what is meant by “Protestant music”, but there is no requirement that all Mass music be composed by practicing Catholics.

I didn’t say there was, nor that there was any thing categorically wrong with Protestant music. I was simply responding to this comment.

They are called LifeTeen masses because they utilize catholic music written by contemporary catholic composers. That’s it.

 

[pianistclare]

I didn’t say there was, nor that there was any thing categorically wrong with Protestant music. I was simply responding to this comment.

If the complaint about LifeTeen Masses is that they are appealing to kids via watered down music and themes, then it is imperative that they utilize Catholic hymns/music just as any Mass would. I cringe when I hear our organist playing "the Old Rugged Cross as a meditation on Holy Saturday. If strictly Catholic music was used, there would not be this misunderstanding of the feast or the Mass. There’s nothing WRONG with protestant music for the music itself, but the lyrics of most have no place within our Liturgy due to the different theology incorporated. I would never choose anything else over Catholic music, There’s just no need to. And in the case of Holy Saturday, why are we listening to a song about Good Friday when Christ has gloriously risen? There are just some things that are out of place. I think that is the main complaint of all the posters. The crazy instrumentation “just because” , the hard to sing verses “just because” the tempos or volume way out of bounds “just because”. There’s a lot of awful music around. It’s not just in some badly done teen Masses. And it’s not typical of ALL teen Masses. they’re just the ones who get most of the bad press.

 

[pnewton]

If the complaint about LifeTeen Masses is that they are appealing to kids via watered down music and themes, then it is imperative that they utilize Catholic hymns/music just as any Mass would.

Except there really is no imperative to use music only composed by Catholics. I personally love The Old Rugged Cross, both the song and the subject. I note that the missalette now has Near the Cross in it. I use that at time or two every Lent. Picking music is no “one size fits all”, which is why there is a large leeway as to the allowable.

If LifeTeen or the Charismatic Renewal movement uses some sort of Praise and Worship, then obviously that is not for everyone, but there is no music that is.

 

[Cat]

If the complaint about LifeTeen Masses is that they are appealing to kids via watered down music and themes, then it is imperative that they utilize Catholic hymns/music just as any Mass would. I cringe when I hear our organist playing "the Old Rugged Cross as a meditation on Holy Saturday. If strictly Catholic music was used, there would not be this misunderstanding of the feast or the Mass. There’s nothing WRONG with protestant music for the music itself, but the lyrics of most have no place within our Liturgy due to the different theology incorporated. I would never choose anything else over Catholic music, There’s just no need to. And in the case of Holy Saturday, why are we listening to a song about Good Friday when Christ has gloriously risen? There are just some things that are out of place. I think that is the main complaint of all the posters. The crazy instrumentation “just because” , the hard to sing verses “just because” the tempos or volume way out of bounds “just because”. There’s a lot of awful music around. It’s not just in some badly done teen Masses. And it’s not typical of ALL teen Masses. they’re just the ones who get most of the bad press.

What on earth can you criticize in The Old Rugged Cross?!!

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

I’m a convert to Catholicism, and this song makes so much more sense to me as a Catholic than it ever did as an Evangelical Protestant.

Evangelical Protestants do not “venerate” material things like crosses. The song was pretty when I was Protestant, but it bordered on what we would have labeled “idolatry.”

But in the Catholic Church, we DO venerate the Cross, and even kiss it on Good Friday. We truly cherish the Cross of Christ!

So IMO, this song is totally appropriate for Catholics.

 

[Cat]

Before my mom converted to Catholicism, she was very much into the modern Christian way of getting the youth to church- bands, hip slogans, etc. She tried to establish a Christian radio station based on this type of approach. Well, it didn’t happen, but I was exposed early on to that.

In addition to being exposed to the modern world’s way of attracting people to church, I was also a Catholic (my dad was Catholic) and attended mass regularly. I remember our church modernizing in the 80s with a gay priest and a restructuring of the layout of the church (it was more of a communal setting than a church with pews and an altar).

In both cases I yearned for more solemnity, silence, candles, organs, and reverence.

I respect your personal preference, but I beg you to recognize that it is YOUR personal preference. There are certainly children and teens who share your preferences, but there are just as many children and teens who love a more modern Mass.

Also, you are mistaken if you believe that solemnity and reverence means “silence” or “candles” or “organs.” Loud glorious music of any style can be and often is both solemn and reverent. And instruments other than the organ can be and often are used to play solemn and reverent music.

Reverence and stillness and holiness always comes the same way, in my opinion, and reverence has never been achieved through modern means.

This is an incredible statement. Think carefully, with discernment, about what you have just written! It’s…well, it’s breathtaking in its audacity.

All music and instruments were “modern” when they first came out!

Are you honestly saying that ALL of the beautiful modern music and other modern innovations (e.g., microphones, use of the vernacular, songs with meter and rhythm, etc.) are irreverent and unholy?!! ALL of it?!

And I don’t understand your insistence that “stillness” is necessary for reverence and holiness! Do you not accept the Psalms, which often speak of praising the Lord with a LOUD voice and many instruments? And think about the mother rushing here and there about the house taking care of her children–is she irreverent and unholy?

Maybe LifeTeen masses are trying to do the good thing, but one thing children always respect and are drawn to is tradition.

This is your personal opinion. Many parents will attest to you that their children are not the least bit interested in or drawn to “tradition” the way you mean tradition–silence, candles, organ music.

And even though it is popular here on CAF to assume that all teenagers are repelled by “modernity” and attracted to “tradition,” this is simply not true in real life. These people are basing their opinion on their own experience instead of looking at the big picture. Reality is that many many teenagers shun any hint of antiquity, and are drawn to the modern in music, architecture, and teaching.

Trying to capture a teenager’s interest at that moment is assuming he or she will always be a teenager.

Not true. A parent who plays Peek-A-Boo with a baby is not assuming that he or she will always be a baby. The parent is using age-appropriate methods of interacting with a baby.

When it comes to children, we have to work with them where they are right now, not where they will be in the future. It would be ridiculous to hand a first-grader a book of Shakespeare and say, “Read this instead of that primary pap!”

Same for teenagers. Yes, they will be adults some day, but they are not adults right now, they are teenagers, and it is correct to respect them where they are right now and utilize teaching methods that are appropriate for teenagers.

Some teenagers are more mature, but many aren’t. A truly “mature” teenager will recognize that many of his/her peers are not mature yet, and NOT LOOK DOWN ON THEM or demean them for their lack of maturity.

Do you know how silly a lifeteen mass is to an adult?

This is your personal opinion. When we used to do Life Teen Mass, many adults attended, not just because it was the “Last Chance Mass” (Sunday evening), but because they honestly found the music uplifting. I know I do.

And how many teens are going to respect a church that tries so hard to impress them?

Teens will respect those who honestly love them.

Teens are drawn to those places where they are LOVED. If a “traditional” parish demonstrates practical love for teenagers, they’ll be drawn to it. Same for a “modern” parish. The “trappings” aren’t so important to a teen as the people who present the “trappings.”

God is love, but he isn’t silly. And he demands reverence. I don’t see how LifeTeen masses accomplish this, and I know from my experience that I always thought those kind of things were belittling of us and God.

Again, this is your personal opinion, not fact. Life Teen Masses can be just as reverent as “traditional” Masses, and modern music can be (and often is) as reverent as the most ancient music.

 

[pianistclare]

What on earth can you criticize in The Old Rugged Cross?!!

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

I’m a convert to Catholicism, and this song makes so much more sense to me as a Catholic than it ever did as an Evangelical Protestant.

Evangelical Protestants do not “venerate” material things like crosses. The song was pretty when I was Protestant, but it bordered on what we would have labeled “idolatry.”

But in the Catholic Church, we DO venerate the Cross, and even kiss it on Good Friday. We truly cherish the Cross of Christ!

So IMO, this song is totally appropriate for Catholics.

You said it yourself: " we kiss it on Good Friday."

This song MAY be appropriate for Catholics, but certainly NOT on Holy Saturday. Good Friday perhaps, not Holy Saturday. Even on Good Friday, my personal opinion is that we should focus on the Passion itself. Jesus crucified.
It’s not a matter of picking songs with lyrics that are ok for a Music Director…it’s about selecting music that goes with the liturgy and the readings of the day.
To sing about the cross when we should singing from the rafters “He is Risen, Alleluia!”
is to miss the endpoint of the Triduum. Especially after the homily was all about Resurrection. You should have seen the look on the Priest and the Deacons’ faces.
They were like “hey, what are we celebrating here?”
Sorry. you’re not going to convince me that there is not a better option.

 

[Cat]

You said it yourself: " we kiss it on Good Friday."

This song MAY be appropriate for Catholics, but certainly NOT on Holy Saturday. Good Friday perhaps, not Holy Saturday. Even on Good Friday, my personal opinion is that we should focus on the Passion itself. Jesus crucified.
It’s not a matter of picking songs with lyrics that are ok for a Music Director…it’s about selecting music that goes with the liturgy and the readings of the day.
To sing about the cross when we should singing from the rafters “He is Risen, Alleluia!”
is to miss the endpoint of the Triduum. Especially after the homily was all about Resurrection. You should have seen the look on the Priest and the Deacons’ faces.
They were like “hey, what are we celebrating here?”
Sorry. you’re not going to convince me that there is not a better option.

Forgive me, I didn’t realize that you cited the specific example of The Old Rugged Cross played on Holy Saturday.

I still think that there is merit in using this piece on Holy Saturday. You state that we should focus on the Passion itself; Jesus Christ crucified–IMO, that’s what The Old Rugged Cross does. I think others would see it this way, too, and the song would help them to meditate upon Jesus. After all, the verses of the song talk about Jesus and His Sacrifice, and that’s what I tend to think about on Holy Saturday and definitely on Good Friday.

But I do think that there are better options for Good Friday Communion Services and Holy Saturday Mass music, as many Catholics don’t know the words to The Old Rugged Cross, unless they are converts like me.

I think that there are plenty of traditional and modern Catholic hymns that are more appropriate for instrumental music on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, rather than playing hymns that most of us associate with Protestant worship.

Actually, I didn’t think that it was appropriate to play much instrumental music on Good Friday or Holy Saturday, but rather, to create times of silence in the Communion Service on Good Friday and in Holy Saturday Masses. I’m not sure that a “meditation” piece is appropriate for Holy Saturday Mass. I may be wrong–it depends on whether Lent is over.

But I would tend to not play anything during the Triduum without being specifically directed to do so by the priest or by the Music Director. I think that silence during the solemn days of the Triduum is always appropriate, unless the priest specifically requests otherwise.

I’m not sure I understand what you are saying about singing from the rafters, “He Is Risen, Alleluia!” Are you saying that this song is appropriate for Holy Saturday? I disagree. I think that the song is highly appropriate for EASTER, but not for Holy Saturday. The Easter Vigil Mass occurs on Saturday, but it’s Easter, not Holy Saturday. Am I misunderstanding you?

 

[pianistclare]

Forgive me, I didn’t realize that you cited the specific example of The Old Rugged Cross played on Holy Saturday.

I still think that there is merit in using this piece on Holy Saturday. You state that we should focus on the Passion itself; Jesus Christ crucified–IMO, that’s what The Old Rugged Cross does. I think others would see it this way, too, and the song would help them to meditate upon Jesus. After all, the verses of the song talk about Jesus and His Sacrifice, and that’s what I tend to think about on Holy Saturday and definitely on Good Friday.

But I do think that there are better options for Good Friday Communion Services and Holy Saturday Mass music, as many Catholics don’t know the words to The Old Rugged Cross, unless they are converts like me.

I think that there are plenty of traditional and modern Catholic hymns that are more appropriate for instrumental music on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, rather than playing hymns that most of us associate with Protestant worship.

Actually, I didn’t think that it was appropriate to play much instrumental music on Good Friday or Holy Saturday, but rather, to create times of silence in the Communion Service on Good Friday and in Holy Saturday Masses. I’m not sure that a “meditation” piece is appropriate for Holy Saturday Mass. I may be wrong–it depends on whether Lent is over.

But I would tend to not play anything during the Triduum without being specifically directed to do so by the priest or by the Music Director. I think that silence during the solemn days of the Triduum is always appropriate, unless the priest specifically requests otherwise.

I’m not sure I understand what you are saying about singing from the rafters, “He Is Risen, Alleluia!” Are you saying that this song is appropriate for Holy Saturday? I disagree. I think that the song is highly appropriate for EASTER, but not for Holy Saturday. The Easter Vigil Mass occurs on Saturday, but it’s Easter, not Holy Saturday. Am I misunderstanding you?

OK. Holy Saturday is considered to be the biggest Mass of the Church year. It indeed is Easter. Easter is not only at some sunrise service. When the people who are coming into the Church get baptized, receive their Frist Holy Communion, and are Confirmed at the Vigil Mass we don’t say “come back tomorrow, because the calendar indicates that tomorrow is Easter.” No, the Easter Vigil Mass is an EASTER service.
As a Music Director I must play and conduct Easter music once the Exultet, the 7 psalms, and the Gospel Alleluias are completed. The Old Rugged cross in this instance was used by someone else as a pre-communion meditation while the choir went to communion (which is a whole other kettle of fish). The Easter Vigil is generally the only service on Holy Saturday. Nothing else trumps the vigil. When I say Holy Saturday I am referring to the vigil. Lent, by the way, is over on Holy Thursday.

No worries, I just usually assume that people get what I’m saying without putting in every little detail. My point was, there is always a decidedly Catholic choice of music. I wish directors would stop looking outside of what our Church herself has provided to us for Liturgical use. The same could be said for most of the stuff that posters believe to be liturgical abuse.
If you stick to what Mother Church has provided, you can’t go wrong or be criticized too much.

 

[joshvanrad]

I do not agree with the Charismatic Renewal.

At what point do we draw the line between a Catholic place of prayer and a mega-church?

1 Kings 19 11-13 states that when the Lord sent Elijah to listen for the word of the Lord he did not find it in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. Elijah finds God in a quiet whisper.

 

[DiZent]

I am going to say this with love. If Life Teen is not for you, attend a different Mass. If Life Teen is part of your parish’s Confirmation Program, then attend during the program, then resume attending a different Mass. I belong to a large parish. We had a fantastic music program that was cut. Now we have only traditional music and chant, and a quiet Mass with no music at all. I do not like chant. I miss playing the hand bells and I miss the contemporary choir. If we had a Life Teen Mass, I would attend.

 

[pianistclare]

I am going to say this with love. If Life Teen is not for you, attend a different Mass. If Life Teen is part of your parish’s Confirmation Program, then attend during the program, then resume attending a different Mass. I belong to a large parish. We had a fantastic music program that was cut. Now we have only traditional music and chant, and a quiet Mass with no music at all. I do not like chant. I miss playing the hand bells and I miss the contemporary choir. If we had a Life Teen Mass, I would attend.

Thank you for your post. I’m sorry you’re missing what you loved.

I would like to add this:
For those of us who see the music in their parish as, well, less than perfect, consider this:
Many parishes

1. cannot afford the high quality chant and schola music that many folks love so much. This is because you need a highly trained and academically prepared Director, which frankly, parishes either really don’t want in the first place or they are not in a position to pay a living wage to the person who could implement this. I applied for a Music Director job and stated that would be willing and able to begin a chant program, (in addition to the Teen Music, the folk Mass, and the traditional Mass) and the people sitting in on the interview were horrified. They were convinced that the parishioners would dislike it and would leave the parish, and subsequently leave the collection basket as well.
2. In a related way, a lot of parishes have sincere, but not necessarily liturgically correct volunteers. No offense to them, but they simply don’t KNOW what they should be doing, so they do their best with recommendations from the singers, the person in the pew, and what they hear “in other churches”. I don’t believe that they are trying to make people angry or upset, they just don’t know.
   Our Diocese has always held symposiums for the directors. A director friend said after the last one “Oh it was awful. All organ music and Latin stuff. Absolutely nothing that we could use at MY contemporary parish”. Like parishes are handbags that you obtain to compliment your personal wardrobe.

In other words, if your parish isn’t doing music to your satisfaction, there’s probably little you can do about it. The Pastor doesn’t want to rock the boat with his personnel because he thinks it’s the best they can do at the moment with the budget they have. I’ve been Directing choirs for over 20 years. Never once made a living wage from it. Only ever was told I was valued when I decided to leave each position. Even if you are the only person that believes that the music is fine at your parish, please tell the person. Think how frustrated THEY are. They probably have no budget for sheet music, quality books, or members in the choir that will try beyond their dozen or so “go-to” hymns. The last position I had, I brought in sheet music and the choir said “there’s no WAY we could pull this off”. By the time I left that parish, they were sight-reading in 6 parts and had pretty well mastered certain chants, revived the Pange Lingua and other prescribed hymns that the previous Director had never even heard of, bless her heart.
The parish was sad when we all left. But I had mouths to feed, and getting on in years could no longer work 3 jobs to keep my home together. Moved on. I miss it like crazy.

There’s a parish that suits everyone’s taste. It would be glorious if it was the one we’re registered at. Wouldn’t it?

 

[Sarabande]

Thank you for your post. I’m sorry you’re missing what you loved.

I would like to add this:
For those of us who see the music in their parish as, well, less than perfect, consider this:
Many parishes

1. cannot afford the high quality chant and schola music that many folks love so much. This is because you need a highly trained and academically prepared Director, which frankly, parishes either really don’t want in the first place or they are not in a position to pay a living wage to the person who could implement this. I applied for a Music Director job and stated that would be willing and able to begin a chant program, (in addition to the Teen Music, the folk Mass, and the traditional Mass) and the people sitting in on the interview were horrified. They were convinced that the parishioners would dislike it and would leave the parish, and subsequently leave the collection basket as well.
2. In a related way, a lot of parishes have sincere, but not necessarily liturgically correct volunteers. No offense to them, but they simply don’t KNOW what they should be doing, so they do their best with recommendations from the singers, the person in the pew, and what they hear “in other churches”. I don’t believe that they are trying to make people angry or upset, they just don’t know.
   Our Diocese has always held symposiums for the directors. A director friend said after the last one “Oh it was awful. All organ music and Latin stuff. Absolutely nothing that we could use at MY contemporary parish”. Like parishes are handbags that you obtain to compliment your personal wardrobe.

In other words, if your parish isn’t doing music to your satisfaction, there’s probably little you can do about it. The Pastor doesn’t want to rock the boat with his personnel because he thinks it’s the best they can do at the moment with the budget they have. I’ve been Directing choirs for over 20 years. Never once made a living wage from it. Only ever was told I was valued when I decided to leave each position. Even if you are the only person that believes that the music is fine at your parish, please tell the person. Think how frustrated THEY are. They probably have no budget for sheet music, quality books, or members in the choir that will try beyond their dozen or so “go-to” hymns. The last position I had, I brought in sheet music and the choir said “there’s no WAY we could pull this off”. By the time I left that parish, they were sight-reading in 6 parts and had pretty well mastered certain chants, revived the Pange Lingua and other prescribed hymns that the previous Director had never even heard of, bless her heart.
The parish was sad when we all left. But I had mouths to feed, and getting on in years could no longer work 3 jobs to keep my home together. Moved on. I miss it like crazy.

There’s a parish that suits everyone’s taste. It would be glorious if it was the one we’re registered at. Wouldn’t it?

Great post! We have symposiums in our diocese. Some directors really do want to incorporate what the diocese and the Church wants. Sometimes the problem, as you pointed out, is the pushback from the pastor, liturgy committee, etc. Most of my liturgical training was done via working at our diocese’s cathedral where everything had to be correct. There was no such thing as bending the rules. You had to set the example for the diocese, representing what the Church requested. When I left that kind of “utopia” and went out into the real world again, I was reminded at how often the rules are bent and how music directors and even some pastors looked at the “boss” as something they really didn’t have to follow.

I so often hear people say they will leave it up to the bishops, and to a point, that is very true, but when I see that so many people in the diocese that I work in really don’t leave it up to the bishop and will do what they want because they don’t like the set standards by the diocese and the Church, then that concerns me. But even I will do the same. I don’t want to lose my job at certain parishes (as I need to put food on the table and pay the bills) so even if I don’t agree with the pastor or the music director in regards to what is being permitted for mass, I have to follow them rather than my bishop.

 

[Cat]

OK. Holy Saturday is considered to be the biggest Mass of the Church year. It indeed is Easter. Easter is not only at some sunrise service. When the people who are coming into the Church get baptized, receive their Frist Holy Communion, and are Confirmed at the Vigil Mass we don’t say “come back tomorrow, because the calendar indicates that tomorrow is Easter.” No, the Easter Vigil Mass is an EASTER service.
As a Music Director I must play and conduct Easter music once the Exultet, the 7 psalms, and the Gospel Alleluias are completed. The Old Rugged cross in this instance was used by someone else as a pre-communion meditation while the choir went to communion (which is a whole other kettle of fish). The Easter Vigil is generally the only service on Holy Saturday. Nothing else trumps the vigil. When I say Holy Saturday I am referring to the vigil. Lent, by the way, is over on Holy Thursday.

No worries, I just usually assume that people get what I’m saying without putting in every little detail. My point was, there is always a decidedly Catholic choice of music. I wish directors would stop looking outside of what our Church herself has provided to us for Liturgical use. The same could be said for most of the stuff that posters believe to be liturgical abuse.
If you stick to what Mother Church has provided, you can’t go wrong or be criticized too much.

Thank you for clarifying. Yes, the Easter Vigil Mass takes place on Saturday evening, and yes, it is a joyful time when all the stops are out. I was received into the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil in 2004.

And yes, I agree with you that The Old Rugged Cross is not appropriate for an Easter Vigil Mass…

What I learned is that until the Easter Vigil, Holy Saturday is a quiet day during which we remember Christ’s death and anticipate His resurrection.

 

[ccmcmg]

See, now I think many/most of us might have a problem with this version of Shout to the Lord:

youtu.be/LLJvFzypJ_4


Smile.

 

[Shirtless]

What on earth can you criticize in The Old Rugged Cross?!!

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

I’m a convert to Catholicism, and this song makes so much more sense to me as a Catholic than it ever did as an Evangelical Protestant.

Evangelical Protestants do not “venerate” material things like crosses. The song was pretty when I was Protestant, but it bordered on what we would have labeled “idolatry.”

But in the Catholic Church, we DO venerate the Cross, and even kiss it on Good Friday. We truly cherish the Cross of Christ!

So IMO, this song is totally appropriate for Catholics.

I agree that there is nothing wrong with “Old Rugged Cross.” Also, it is perfectly appropriate for a meditation on Holy Saturday. Christ has not “gloriously risen” on Holy Saturday. He is still in the tomb. The Resurrection does not happen until Easter Sunday, the next day. So, I am afraid I do not quite understand the point of the original post.

The relationship between Good Friday and Easter Sunday also describes one of the differences between Roman Catholics and Eastern Catholics. Although both groups are in communion with the Apostolic See at Rome, they have different perspectives on the Catholic faith. As a Roman Catholic priest once said during a homily, the Roman Catholic views our life on earth as a perpetual suspension between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, as we wait for the Second Coming of Jesus. The Eastern Catholic liturgy concentrates primarily on and celebrates the Resurrection and places less emphasis on the Passion and death of Jesus.

 

[CruceSignati]

See, now I think many/most of us might have a problem with this version of Shout to the Lord:

youtu.be/LLJvFzypJ_4


Smile.

I would have a problem with it if it were played at Mass, but I did smile (mostly because my dad is a Led Zeppelin fan and that song is his ring tone for when mom calls him ).

 

[rotlex]

As the Father of two younger children, I agree with this whole heartily.

We attend traditional Mass each and every Sunday, however, we have attended a few of these as well. It’s amazing to see kids eens etc. actually enjoying themselves and wanting to be there. Nothing but a good thing if you ask me.

My wife and I are members our our parish youth ministry group, and the first time we organized even a standard youth mass I was very skeptical. After the first one however, I am very interested in taking it further, and more often.

 

[pnewton]

I do not agree with the Charismatic Renewal.

At what point do we draw the line between a Catholic place of prayer and a mega-church?

1 Kings 19 11-13 states that when the Lord sent Elijah to listen for the word of the Lord he did not find it in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. Elijah finds God in a quiet whisper.

The Catholic Church however approves both the Charismatic Renewal and LifeTeen. Therefore, individual approval is moot. The story of Elijah is a specific example of God speaking one time to one person, not a statement on the nature of God. It should be noted that immediately preceding this event God revealed himself in a blaze of all-consuming fire, as well as in fire and tongues at Pentecost. The only thing we can take from these is that there is more than one right way for God to speak to us. Thus, the Catholic Church offers different spiritualties.

 

[Shirtless]

Thank you for clarifying. Yes, the Easter Vigil Mass takes place on Saturday evening, and yes, it is a joyful time when all the stops are out. I was received into the Catholic Church during the Easter Vigil in 2004.

And yes, I agree with you that The Old Rugged Cross is not appropriate for an Easter Vigil Mass…

What I learned is that until the Easter Vigil, Holy Saturday is a quiet day during which we remember Christ’s death and anticipate His resurrection.

There is a morning Mass on Holy Saturday, and it was that to which I thought the earlier poster was referring. The Easter Vigil is part of Easter, I agree.

For those not familiar with “Old Rugged Cross,” see nethymnal.org/htm/o/r/oruggedc.htm