Is it vaintiy to walk out of a mass?

[JoyIsLikeRain]

Yesterday, I missed morning mass, but two churches in my area have evening masses, one at 6 and the other at 7pm. Both were listed on the parishes’ websites as being in English.

I showed up at the 6pm mass parish; it’s about a five-mile drive from my home. It was announced that the mass would “mainly be in Tagalog.” I was initially fine with that; I had been to half-Tagalog, half-English masses before and they’re usually reverent.

This 6pm wasn’t. Mass began with a LOUD electric guitar choir. This was followed by the priest singing the Gloria like Whitney Houston in his native language. I really didn’t think it was reverent and appropriate at all to see someone belting out the Gloria like a pop singer, on top of a Mass listed as being said in one language, yet being done in another. I left, although I felt bad because there was roughly only 25 people in attendance.

I went to 7 pm at the other parish. Mass was in English, and the church was packed into the lobby, with people of many different cultures. Nice, traditional hymns, no weird singing, no odd liturgical abuses. It was a normal mass.

However, I was brought up to appreciate every mass, knowing there are people in parts of the world who cannot attend mass at all and truly desire to do so, or must travel very far, often in unsafe conditions. The mass is the mass.
Yet, I began to think that it’s vanity on my part I couldn’t stand the pop-concert like staging of the mass at the 6pm parish, coupled with the fact it wasn’t in English. I felt bad,thinking I maybe should have endured it and I’m too “picky.”

Sometimes I wonder what an all-Latin mass Church would appear like in 2011…

 

[FAB]

Yesterday, I missed morning mass, but two churches in my area have evening masses, one at 6 and the other at 7pm. Both were listed on the parishes’ websites as being in English.

I showed up at the 6pm mass parish; it’s about a five-mile drive from my home. It was announced that the mass would “mainly be in Tagalog.” I was initially fine with that; I had been to half-Tagalog, half-English masses before and they’re usually reverent.

This 6pm wasn’t. Mass began with a LOUD electric guitar choir. This was followed by the priest singing the Gloria like Whitney Houston in his native language. I really didn’t think it was reverent and appropriate at all to see someone belting out the Gloria like a pop singer, on top of a Mass listed as being said in one language, yet being done in another. I left, although I felt bad because there was roughly only 25 people in attendance.

I went to 7 pm at the other parish. Mass was in English, and the church was packed into the lobby, with people of many different cultures. Nice, traditional hymns, no weird singing, no odd liturgical abuses. It was a normal mass.

However, I was brought up to appreciate every mass, knowing there are people in parts of the world who cannot attend mass at all and truly desire to do so, or must travel very far, often in unsafe conditions. The mass is the mass.
Yet, I began to think that it’s vanity on my part I couldn’t stand the pop-concert like staging of the mass at the 6pm parish, coupled with the fact it wasn’t in English. I felt bad,thinking I maybe should have endured it and I’m too “picky.”

Sometimes I wonder what an all-Latin mass Church would appear like in 2011…

I think we need to remember that there are many styles of music and ways to worship. It’s not vanity, we are each comfortable with certain styles and practices. It may also be that you ran into a cultural difference in the mass. This is not abuse, the RITE does allow certain leeway based on cultural norms. I know many on this site will disagree, but I find that part of the beauty of the liturgy. That different person, different cultures, even different styles are allowed to bring people into God’s house to be part of a worship community that best meet those needs.

 

[NewEnglandPriest]

I think we need to remember that there are many styles of music and ways to worship. It’s not vanity, we are each comfortable with certain styles and practices. It may also be that you ran into a cultural difference in the mass. This is not abuse, the RITE does allow certain leeway based on cultural norms. I know many on this site will disagree, but I find that part of the beauty of the liturgy. That different person, different cultures, even different styles are allowed to bring people into God’s house to be part of a worship community that best meet those needs.

Nonsense! Catholics in the 3rd world will continue to be in state of Mass abuse until they all have pipe organs!

 

[anruari]

Any style of music can be irreverent - even Gregorian Chant - when not sung with respect, & as a prayer to God. similarly any style can be reverent & worshipful - for those who can artistically appreciate it.

We all know of choirs who never pray together.
A Choir who are performing with Vanity can never be praying to god - no matter how beautiful their music.

As an Irish man living in the UK I have a great dis-taste for the Anglican style of hymn which is so common in catholic churches in the English speaking world.
most choirs present these as dirges which seem to have nothing in common with biblical descriptions of musical worship

I think this Blog has a lot to say on the issue:
mikeandchris.net/liturgicalmusic

 

[anruari]

On the topic of the Gloria:
think about the words of this prayer.
Is it not appropriate that it can be sung in a style that is joyous & zealous?
Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy!

The bible referes to trumpets, Drums, Harps, & many instruments which would be frowned upon in the average parish church by most of the congregation.
Is the Bible wrong?

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Nonsense! Catholics in the 3rd world will continue to be in state of Mass abuse until they all have pipe organs!

I wonder: is this guy joking or speaking seriously? I read 3 times and could not figure out!

 

[theistgal]

I don’t think it was vanity. I understand!

I once had to leave a church which was celebrating the Fourth of July with what they announced would be a “Star Spangled Mass” - it was just too loud for me!

That said, my only caution would be: if you are in a church for either Mass or Divine Liturgy, and you know that it’s your last chance on Sunday or a feast day to fulfill your obligation - stay and “offer it up”.

I usually say a prayer like, "Lord, I really can’t stand this music, but for you I’ll put up with it - since you have put up with so much from me!

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Yesterday, I missed morning mass, but two churches in my area have evening masses, one at 6 and the other at 7pm. Both were listed on the parishes’ websites as being in English.

I showed up at the 6pm mass parish; it’s about a five-mile drive from my home. It was announced that the mass would “mainly be in Tagalog.” I was initially fine with that; I had been to half-Tagalog, half-English masses before and they’re usually reverent.

This 6pm wasn’t. Mass began with a LOUD electric guitar choir. This was followed by the priest singing the Gloria like Whitney Houston in his native language. I really didn’t think it was reverent and appropriate at all to see someone belting out the Gloria like a pop singer, on top of a Mass listed as being said in one language, yet being done in another. I left, although I felt bad because there was roughly only 25 people in attendance.

I went to 7 pm at the other parish. Mass was in English, and the church was packed into the lobby, with people of many different cultures. Nice, traditional hymns, no weird singing, no odd liturgical abuses. It was a normal mass.

However, I was brought up to appreciate every mass, knowing there are people in parts of the world who cannot attend mass at all and truly desire to do so, or must travel very far, often in unsafe conditions. The mass is the mass.
Yet, I began to think that it’s vanity on my part I couldn’t stand the pop-concert like staging of the mass at the 6pm parish, coupled with the fact it wasn’t in English. I felt bad,thinking I maybe should have endured it and I’m too “picky.”

Sometimes I wonder what an all-Latin mass Church would appear like in 2011…

You had 2 masses, you went to the one you felt at ease, what is the problem? If you had to travel far away, in unsafe conditions, it would be a pleasure to have the Tagalog mass. Now, do not compare. Comparison is the devil…

 

[JoyIsLikeRain]

You had 2 masses, you went to the one you felt at ease, what is the problem? If you had to travel far away, in unsafe conditions, it would be a pleasure to have the Tagalog mass. Now, do not compare. Comparison is the devil…

What?

You have to compare many, many things in life. Reviewing anything is comparison. Using “devil” is a bit on the hyperbole side. Don’t get a little ahead of yourself, you’re only a human like myself.

I don’t think it was vanity. I understand!

I once had to leave a church which was celebrating the Fourth of July with what they announced would be a “Star Spangled Mass” - it was just too loud for me!

That said, my only caution would be: if you are in a church for either Mass or Divine Liturgy, and you know that it’s your last chance on Sunday or a feast day to fulfill your obligation - stay and “offer it up”.

I usually say a prayer like, "Lord, I really can’t stand this music, but for you I’ll put up with it - since you have put up with so much from me!

Exactly…I’ve once left a mass in the morning that was just too bizarre, only to go to an evening mass ripe with abuses. It’s best to offer things up, sometimes.

 

[JoyIsLikeRain]

I don’t think it was vanity. I understand!

I once had to leave a church which was celebrating the Fourth of July with what they announced would be a “Star Spangled Mass” - it was just too loud for me!

That said, my only caution would be: if you are in a church for either Mass or Divine Liturgy, and you know that it’s your last chance on Sunday or a feast day to fulfill your obligation - stay and “offer it up”.

I usually say a prayer like, "Lord, I really can’t stand this music, but for you I’ll put up with it - since you have put up with so much from me!

Exactly…I’ve once left a mass in the morning that was just too bizarre, only to go to an evening mass ripe with abuses. It’s best to offer things up, sometimes.

 

[TimothyH]

I wonder: is this guy joking or speaking seriously? I read 3 times and could not figure out!

Don’t worry. It’s not gonna happen. The humidity in the rain forest wreaks havoc with the tuning of the pipes and all the hymns come out Protestant.

Besides, Hail Holy Queen sounds great rendered on the tambourine and kazoo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrF1ylQQZyc&feature=related

-Tim-

 

[Angel_Bradford]

Nonsense! Catholics in the 3rd world will continue to be in state of Mass abuse until they all have pipe organs!

 

[I_Thirst]

Mass is Mass.

I went to a weekday Mass last week outside my usual parish – the music was terrifyingly horrible, though the homily was incredibly inspiring. A study in contrasts to be sure, but due to the music I’ll avoid that particular Mass in the future and hope that the priest preaches at other Masses.

There are Masses in my home parish (we have eight Sunday Masses) that I avoid due to music – but I know that if I have to go I will have to prepare myself for the sonic onslaught of irreverent booty-shaking soul-stirring classics. Forgive them, Lord, for they know not what they do.

If it weren’t for the Real Presense of Christ in the Eucharist, I would leave whenever I felt like or if my sensibilities were disturbed.

Mass is Mass.

 

[benedictgal]

On the topic of the Gloria:
think about the words of this prayer.
Is it not appropriate that it can be sung in a style that is joyous & zealous?
Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy!

The bible referes to trumpets, Drums, Harps, & many instruments which would be frowned upon in the average parish church by most of the congregation.
Is the Bible wrong?

However, what the psalms were speaking of was not done within the confines of the sacrificial cultic worship of Ancient Israel. This is a common misinterpretation used by those who support drums and other secular instruments for use in the Mass.

Regarding the OP’s situation, the OP had no knowledge that this was going to take place at the Mass. In the OP’s previous experience, such liturgies were reverently celebrated. The OP found a Mass that was faithful to the rubrics and went there.

 

[JoyIsLikeRain]

However, what the psalms were speaking of was not done within the confines of the sacrificial cultic worship of Ancient Israel. This is a common misinterpretation used by those who support drums and other secular instruments for use in the Mass.

Regarding the OP’s situation, the OP had no knowledge that this was going to take place at the Mass. In the OP’s previous experience, such liturgies were reverently celebrated. The OP found a Mass that was faithful to the rubrics and went there.

Thank you very much for the clarification.

I had no idea that the mass would be totally celebrated in a way that wasn’t described on the parish’s webpage. I’m not so much offended by the actual choice of instruments, but by the way they are played.

Throughout the years I’ve had to go to “folk” masses, “gospel” masses, “children” masses, mariachi masses, “worship and praise” masses, Latin masses, Polish masses, Italian masses, etc. I’ve seen many, many different things. However, that 6pm mass yesterday definitely had me frustrated and feeling that it simply wasn’t “right,” not in 2011 on the eve of the revised mass translations.

 

[Monica4316]

this is partly the reason why I try to go to the Latin Mass whenever I can.

(yes, those parishes are very reverent )

 

[FatHead]

NewEnglandPries;8275283:

Nonsense! Catholics in the 3rd world will continue to be in state of Mass abuse until they all have pipe organs!

I wonder: is this guy joking or speaking seriously? I read 3 times and could not figure out!

he’s mocking those who love the church and want sacred music during mass

its not new. hes done things like this before

 

[I_Thirst]

However, that 6pm mass yesterday definitely had me frustrated and feeling that it simply wasn’t “right,” not in 2011 on the eve of the revised mass translations.

Don’t hold your breath on this. Sure the translations will change, but the music probably won’t change as much as you think it would.

In my parish, it’s the same-old same-old all over again. Our old GIA hymnal (Gather) is being replaced by the new GIA hymnal (Gather in the new 4th? edition). From what I’ve seen, the new one takes out traditional music and replaces it with Praise And Worship Contemporary Christian music. I guess I should count my blessings – at least we aren’t an OCP parish.

I had a chance to hear some of the new Mass settings our parish is deciding upon. One is just using our previous setting, but with the updated translations. Another one has a Calypso beat (I love Calypso, but this was ridiculous as a Mass setting for a suburban parish). I heard a couple that sounded good, and I pray that our choirs will use a setting that is reverent and prayerful.

 

[promethius]

Thank you very much for the clarification.

I had no idea that the mass would be totally celebrated in a way that wasn’t described on the parish’s webpage. I’m not so much offended by the actual choice of instruments, but by the way they are played.

Throughout the years I’ve had to go to “folk” masses, “gospel” masses, “children” masses, mariachi masses, “worship and praise” masses, Latin masses, Polish masses, Italian masses, etc. I’ve seen many, many different things. However, that 6pm mass yesterday definitely had me frustrated and feeling that it simply wasn’t “right,” not in 2011 on the eve of the revised mass translations.

In africa, the music used in latin masses would be regarded as vulgar and disrespectful to God. To them, it would appear we were having a bloody funeral rather than a celebration of anything that had life in it.

Culture regarding music is VERY different. Your cultural hubris does not limit what people are allowed to offer to God based on their cultural understanding of what gives honor to God. There’s nothing “wrong” with Tagalog culture, just as there is nothing “wrong” with latin culture.

sigh I’m surprised so many people say they believe in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church when it’s apparent that they believe in the one, holy, agrees with all their personal preferences, and apostolic church…

 

[JoyIsLikeRain]

Don’t hold your breath on this. Sure the translations will change, but the music probably won’t change as much as you think it would.

In my parish, it’s the same-old same-old all over again. Our old GIA hymnal (Gather) is being replaced by the new GIA hymnal (Gather in the new 4th? edition). From what I’ve seen, the new one takes out traditional music and replaces it with Praise And Worship Contemporary Christian music. I guess I should count my blessings – at least we aren’t an OCP parish.

I had a chance to hear some of the new Mass settings our parish is deciding upon. One is just using our previous setting, but with the updated translations. Another one has a Calypso beat (I love Calypso, but this was ridiculous as a Mass setting for a suburban parish). I heard a couple that sounded good, and I pray that our choirs will use a setting that is reverent and prayerful.

I heard some new GIA stuff to at a talk I went to recently, introducing the new changes and songs.

The text I knew about because I’m familiar with both the full-Latin and 1970 missals. The music definitely was more on the Praise and Worship side, but I’ve realized that most parishes here in the USA won’t will have a conversion to “better” music.

The music at the 6pm mass I left was bad. Not as offensive as, let’s say, a Polka Mass, but pop-music style, soulful belting by the priest backed by a synth and electric bass was less than pleasant. They tried, but could be one of the reasons why this parish had roughly 25 people in the pews, and the other was at standing capacity.