It has been said that the only traditional music to be heard at Mass, is the religious music you remember from when you were a child…and that is very difficult to find the older you get.
I was raised on standard OCP and NALR fare. Haugen/Haas, Joncas, Landry, St. Louis Jesuits. I attended Mass in my school’s parish, and they had a 10:30 Folk Mass where my parents would seat me in the fourth pew back, squarely in front of the folk group with guitars, tambourines, autoharp and flute. I enjoyed it immensely. It is where I learned to sing and appreciate music. I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world, and there are still songs I treasure from that time.
However, as I grew and matured in my understanding of the liturgy, I found out more about what the Church recommends and prefers for music. I decided for myself that Mass is not a time to be given over to wild emotions and undignified music, but should be observed reverently and soberly, yet joyfully (or appropriate emotion for the season).
Fast forward 30 years to today, when my liturgical life is still dictated by OCP and GIA, I feel as if I am in a prison. But I am about to be set free. My parish has purchased pew copies of the
Lumen Christi Missal, and it appears that our pastor, following our bishop’s example, wishes to introduce chant and “singing the Mass” as the Church intends. I am joyful yet fearful of the change and the upset it will bring. I wish for your prayers for our community as we face this bravely.
