Mariachi music during mass

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So many people complaining about mariachi music but frankly, I find the pipe organ to be much more of a caucauphanous distraction. It is loud and blaring and rips me out of a solemn meditation faster than anything else, but I am there for mass, not a concert.

I will never understand why people feel the need to complain about and pick apart everything that does not suit their personal tastes. Some people like it and some don’t. The pastor has better things to do than cater to each person’s individual musical proclivities.
 
LaSainte said:
So many people complaining about mariachi music but frankly, I find the pipe organ to be much more of a caucauphanous distraction. It is loud and blaring and rips me out of a solemn meditation faster than anything else, but I am there for mass, not a concert.

I will never understand why people feel the need to complain about and pick apart everything that does not suit their personal tastes. Some people like it and some don’t. The pastor has better things to do than cater to each person’s individual musical proclivities.
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However, this goes beyond personal taste and preference. In Sacramentum Caritatis, Pope Benedict XVI gives us a guide to follow:
Liturgical song
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  1. In the ars celebrandi, liturgical song has a pre-eminent place. (126) Saint Augustine rightly says in a famous sermon that “the new man sings a new song. Singing is an expression of joy and, if we consider the matter, an expression of love” (127). The People of God assembled for the liturgy sings the praises of God. In the course of her two-thousand-year history, the Church has created, and still creates, music and songs which represent a rich patrimony of faith and love. This heritage must not be lost. **Certainly as far as the liturgy is concerned, we cannot say that one song is as good as another. Generic improvisation or the introduction of musical genres which fail to respect the meaning of the liturgy should be avoided. As an element of the liturgy, song should be well integrated into the overall celebration (128). Consequently everything – texts, music, execution – ought to correspond to the meaning of the mystery being celebrated, the structure of the rite and the liturgical seasons (129). **Finally, while respecting various styles and different and highly praiseworthy traditions, I desire, in accordance with the request advanced by the Synod Fathers, that Gregorian chant be suitably esteemed and employed (130) as the chant proper to the Roman liturgy (131).
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As I have experienced it, Mariachis music does not pass the standard set forth in SC 42, as it does not “correspond to the meaning of the mystery celebrated.”
Now supporters of Maraichi music may use Musicam Sacram to justify their position; however, as I see it, they seem to miss the part highlighted in bold dark red type:
  1. In permitting and using musical instruments, the culture and traditions of individual peoples must be taken into account.** However, those instruments which are, by common opinion and use, suitable for secular music only, are to be altogether prohibited from every liturgical celebration and from popular devotions.44**
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Unlike the Matachines, Mariachi music does not have indigenous history behind it. It is actually fairly recent and its primary connotation is secular.
 
benedictgal said:
However, this goes beyond personal taste and preference. In Sacramentum Caritatis, Pope Benedict XVI gives us a guide to follow:

As I have experienced it, Mariachis music does not pass the standard set forth in SC 42, as it does not “correspond to the meaning of the mystery celebrated.”
Now supporters of Maraichi music may use Musicam Sacram to justify their position; however, as I see it, they seem to miss the part highlighted in bold dark red type:

Unlike the Matachines, Mariachi music does not have indigenous history behind it. It is actually fairly recent and its primary connotation is secular.
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You may be right. It seems like a pretty vague guideline though with definite room for personal interpretation. It’s not like they’re playing death metal or anything 🙂
 
If you are really bothered by it then you should talk to your parish priest.

I’m in Arizona and I vaguely remember having some sort of Native American Music during Mass 20 years ago or so.

I remember having Sicilian folk music in New York during the big Feast Days when there would be processions in the streets. But Mass itself was always and still is very reverent in NY.

Things are different here in AZ. Not sure how I’d feel myself.Guess I’d have to experience it first hand. I personally don’t like the pop culture thing going on at Mass now. I’m more old school.

Good luck.

Blessings.
 
benedictgal said:
However, this goes beyond personal taste and preference. In Sacramentum Caritatis, Pope Benedict XVI gives us a guide to follow:

As I have experienced it, Mariachis music does not pass the standard set forth in SC 42, as it does not “correspond to the meaning of the mystery celebrated.”
Now supporters of Maraichi music may use Musicam Sacram to justify their position; however, as I see it, they seem to miss the part highlighted in bold dark red type:
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Yes, and it is important that we never use our own tastes as standards but strive to use the standards the Church has given. However, this is not to say that we are not to use our own opinions and judgement. This is implicit in the Church setting standards instead of approved/disapproved lists. In this, we need not agree. We should not agree. We are all in different parociahal environments.
 
pnewton said:
Yes, and it is important that we never use our own tastes as standards but strive to use the standards the Church has given. However, this is not to say that we are not to use our own opinions and judgement. This is implicit in the Church setting standards instead of approved/disapproved lists. In this, we need not agree. We should not agree. We are all in different parociahal environments.
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The problem is that Mariachis are commonly associated with secular events and purposes. Interestingly enough, the same Mariachi band that performs at the Cathedral also performs on the weekends at a local restaurant. They also perform at the Cathedral’s Jamaica (parish fair). The music pretty much sounds the same, whether they are playing in church or out.
 
pnewton said:
Yes, and it is important that we never use our own tastes as standards but strive to use the standards the Church has given. However, this is not to say that we are not to use our own opinions and judgement. This is implicit in the Church setting standards instead of approved/disapproved lists. In this, we need not agree. We should not agree. We are all in different parociahal environments.
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So in essence, we can have cultural music at Mass, as long as it is sacred and meets the standards of the Church?

Just to clarify I am talking about during Mass, the Liturgy, not during the processions or festivals.
 
Hello everyone, new to the site. Sorry for responding over a year and half later. I woyld like to way in on the discussion on “Mariachi Mass Music”. I am second generation Mariachi Musician and i can assure you mariachi muaic has come a LONG way especially in musoc for masses. In our family has played the mass here in Houston for over 40 yeara at the same catholuc church and at 12:30 pm . Oyr music from the signing to the playing of our instruments are well trained that when we play we have compliments from people who come and visit year after year from places like France, England, Russia, South America. Specificically to hear the music the we learned from mexico that was for the mass. I can apeak more of this but woyld like a respond from someone to make sure this page and discussion is current.
Thank you
Maurice
 
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