How far we are from the true spirit of sacred music

[JMJ_coder]

Hello,

Additional questions/comments:

Church attendance was high. Devotions and all the above as you mention. However, knowledge about doctrine and sacraments was minimal.

How many people today know anything about their Faith?

People knew that it was an obligation to attend Mass on Sunday. Ask them why this was the case, and they couldn’t give you an answer.

At least they knew they had an obligation. How many know that today?

Ask them what week in the liturgical calender we are in now, they wouldn’t know.

How many people could answer that today - without cheating by using a missalette?

Ask them when does the bread become the body of Christ, they’d tell you, when the altar boy rings the bell.

How many people today know what happens to the hosts and wine during Mass?

Knowledge of how the Mass related to Scripture, was very basic.

How many people know the relationship today? How many could find one text from the Mass in the Bible?

In general theology and explanation of Church doctrine, was absent and this I believe was not unique where I lived.

Most people today don’t even know the basics, forget about in-depth study.

People lived in a black and white world, the accepted and obeyed, without question.

Jesus said say yes when you mean yes and no when you mean no and all else is from the evil one. (Matthew 5:37) Grey is satan’s favorite color.

Heck, a priest or nun could physically beat you, and it was accepted.

So could a teacher and your parents, so what?

You mention long lines at confession, well I do to, but I also remember the poor confessors. People went in with a shopping list of sins. The priest gave you penance and absolution and it was over. There was no spiritual guidence or actually listening to whether a person was scrupolous or not.

Did they confess their sins? Did they receive absolution? Then it is a good confession. Do you realize that spiritual guidance is not a requirement of the sacrament? If you want in-depth spiritual guidance, get a spiritual director.

 

[benedictgal]

I do hope that the bishops will finally get it right and do something sensible, for a change, when it comes to Sacred Music.

Many have used Music in Catholic Worship as a guide post. However, it will interest many to know that this document was something cobbled up by the Bishops Committee on Liturgy and was never voted on by the entire USCCB.

When Pope Benedict XVI comes to the United States next year, I am quite curious what kind of music will be used for his two Masses. He will be visiting Washington, D.C. and New York (Yankee stadium Mass). Let’s see what’s going to hapen then.

 

[JMJ_coder]

Hello,

Why is it that there are no hymns or Masses composed in swing music of the “Big Band Era”? The music of my parent’s generation. The popular music I heard while growing up. What makes the Beatles so much better than Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, etc? Given the line of argument that Catholics didn’t understand the Latin and the music before Vatican II, shouldn’t the first “new” hymns have been written in a style of the popular music of that era? Or is something else going on?

I can see it now - The Rat Pack Hymnal :bigyikes: