Liturgical Music

[rwoehmke]

moedom:

I believe that the “I” in I am the bread of life refers to Christ; at least that is what I always thought. And depending what the reading are some of the other songs would be appropriate to reinforce them.

Moe

That is absolutely correct this hymn comes directly almost word for word out of St. John’s gospel. We sing the words of scripture in most of these “I” hymns because they remind us of what God has said to us in scripture. I never met anyone who thought that the “I” referred to onesself until a article by G. Weigel appeared in our diosisan paper about three months ago where this very thought was expressed. I think an individual would have to be pretty niaive to think that the “I” in these songs refered to oneself. Of course if one is not very well aquainted with Scripture I could understand that happening.

 

[Hudsonite]

rwoehmke:

That is absolutely correct this hymn comes directly almost word for word out of St. John’s gospel. We sing the words of scripture in most of these “I” hymns because they remind us of what God has said to us in scripture. I never met anyone who thought that the “I” referred to onesself until a article by G. Weigel appeared in our diosisan paper about three months ago where this very thought was expressed. I think an individual would have to be pretty niaive to think that the “I” in these songs refered to oneself. Of course if one is not very well aquainted with Scripture I could understand that happening.

Perhapps many in our parishes are not well aquainted with scripture, not everybody has been been blessed like you have been. SOmetimes we tend to lose sight of the fact that others are less fortunate.
It’s very different when reading the Bible.

 

[LittleRose]

A bit of a digression…

Hudsonite:

I have looked in the GIRM and all it really says about music is that Gregorian chant holds prid of place…
** (What is polyphony)** and that we should know how to sing together some parts in latin… I The VII section on sacred music doen’t state where you can music other than that approved by Bishops either

Polyphony, most simply described, is a form of music that involves several voices, or sections in a choir, singing several melodies at once, creating a rich, complex sound. It became widely used in sacred and secular music during the Renaissance.

If you are interested in hearing what this music sounds like, I suggest starting with the works of Palestrina, Orlando di Lasso, and William Byrd, who are considered among the best composers of this type of sacred music.

Today, this often is most commonly heard on cd’s and in concert halls, but every now and then it is used in liturgy, and can be integrated well into the mass as we know it now. I saw a particularly striking instance of this at the Religious Education Congress in Los Angeles a few years ago. At the closing liturgy, they used Palestrina’s “Sicut Cervus” as an offertory hymn. It was very well done and created a reverent and contemplative atmosphere.

 

[mercygate]

LittleRose:

.

If you are interested in hearing what this music sounds like, I suggest starting with the works of Palestrina, Orlando di Lasso, and William Byrd, who are considered among the best composers of this type of sacred music.

Hey! Don’t leave out Jusquin du Pres (whose name is spelled about four different ways)!

 

[pnewton]

I am the musician at my parish. I have found it more benenficial to create an environment in which people want to sing than to tell them they need to sing.

One way I do this is to pay attention to what percentage the of the people are singing. If few people sing a song, it is best not to use that song often. I always have half or more of the songs to be “favorites.”

Another thing I do is transpose the song into a more singable range. Many hymns are written higher than the average person’s voice range.

I also introduce new songs in a measured way, no more than 4-6 a year. This way I do not overwhelm everyone with new material. I also will drop a song if it seems few people like it.

The only real hard part are certain Holy Days which use songs that only come once a year. Those raised as Catholic may know them, but converts and those returning to the Church sometimes struggle through them.