Marian Hymns at Mass

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AmandaCatherine

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Hi everyone!

I am planning my wedding mass, and I have a slight problem. My fiance and I want Hail Holy Queen as the entrance hymn, but the music director is objecting to our choice, saying it detracts from worshipping Jesus if we sing a Marian hymn at mass. (She did say it is allowed on Marian feast days.) I think this is wrong–but I wanted to ask if anyone knows of some rule I haven’t heard of. It sounds like a Protestant idea to me, and it isn’t as if we asked for it during the Eucharist.

Thank you!
 
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AmandaCatherine:
Hi everyone!

I am planning my wedding mass, and I have a slight problem. My fiance and I want Hail Holy Queen as the entrance hymn, but the music director is objecting to our choice, saying it detracts from worshipping Jesus if we sing a Marian hymn at mass. (She did say it is allowed on Marian feast days.) I think this is wrong–but I wanted to ask if anyone knows of some rule I haven’t heard of. It sounds like a Protestant idea to me, and it isn’t as if we asked for it during the Eucharist.

Thank you!
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CONGRATS on your wedding!!! While I have no idea as to what is or what is not allowed, my personal opinion is the same as the music director, especially if there will be non-catholics in attendance… but alas… just my opinion.

Peace… and congrats again to both you and your fiance!

Brandon
 
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AmandaCatherine:
Hi everyone!

I am planning my wedding mass, and I have a slight problem. My fiance and I want Hail Holy Queen as the entrance hymn, but the music director is objecting to our choice, saying it detracts from worshipping Jesus if we sing a Marian hymn at mass. (She did say it is allowed on Marian feast days.) I think this is wrong–but I wanted to ask if anyone knows of some rule I haven’t heard of. It sounds like a Protestant idea to me, and it isn’t as if we asked for it during the Eucharist.

Thank you!
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XPUCTOCb BOCKPECE!!!

IMHO, it’s YOUR WEDDING, you’re paying her, correct? If she want’s paid, she better darn well play what you want to be played. She has NO BUSINESS butting into your wedding plans. She is NOT planning a Sunday Mass!:banghead:

FELDAMADT HRISTUS!
FALOBAN FELDAMADT!
 
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AmandaCatherine:
Hi everyone!

I am planning my wedding mass, and I have a slight problem. My fiance and I want Hail Holy Queen as the entrance hymn, but the music director is objecting to our choice, saying it detracts from worshipping Jesus if we sing a Marian hymn at mass. (She did say it is allowed on Marian feast days.) I think this is wrong–but I wanted to ask if anyone knows of some rule I haven’t heard of. It sounds like a Protestant idea to me, and it isn’t as if we asked for it during the Eucharist.

Thank you!
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Congratulations!
How about a Marian Hymn at the end of the mass?
When the wediing is over and “real life” starts it would be both an conclusion of the wedding mass and an entrance hymn of your new life, and there should be no objection to a Marian hymn in that place.

Werner

PS: I see the end of the Hail Mary in German as your signatur, are you German?
 
Hail Holy Queen is approved for use at Mass, and not just on Marian feasts. Mary is, after all, a woman, and a married woman. . .who better to exemplify a Christian wife?

It sounds like your M.D. is more than a tad “Protestant” in his/ her beliefs, feeling that a hymn about Mary “upstages” Jesus. . .

Let’s check out those lyrics, shall we?

Hail Holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria. (The only reason she’s enthroned is because she is the Mother of Jesus, the King. So right away we’re focusing on Jesus, aren’t we?)
Hail Mother of Mercy and of Love. (Jesus is indeed Mercy and Love. Hey, looks like we’re still focused on Jesus).
Triumph all ye cherubim (now we’re focused on the cherubim worshipping Jesus), Sing with us ye seraphim (seraphim worshipping Jesus),
Heaven and earth resound the hymn (so let’s all worship Jesus)
Salve, Salve, Salve Regina (In the unlikely event that anyone really listens to and understands Latin, it’s back to the Hail, Queen–who is only Queen because she is the Mother of Jesus, the King. . .so it’s right back to focusing on Jesus).

You’re welcome to show this to your Music Director. As a church organist/ soloist (I detest the word cantor) and having a sizeable number of weddings I’ve directed under my belt, I think that I have as much expertise or knowledge in the field as s/he does.

Reminds me of the old joke:
What’s the difference between a liturgist (in your case, a music director) and a terrorist?

You can NEGOTIATE with a terrorist!

God bless you. Wish I could send your swollen headed “Jesus freak” director a case of “humble pills”. . .
 
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Werner:
PS: I see the end of the Hail Mary in German as your signatur, are you German?
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A lot of my ancestors were. I minored in German in college but unfortunately never became fluent, although last time I was there I could pretty much understand normal conversations. I am part Swedish as well, but decided that learning German would be more practical than Swedish. The funny thing is that I am marrying a guy who is half Mexican, 1/4 English, and 1/4 Swedish. What a combination our kids will be! 😃
 
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AmandaCatherine:
A lot of my ancestors were. I minored in German in college but unfortunately never became fluent, although last time I was there I could pretty much understand normal conversations. I am part Swedish as well, but decided that learning German would be more practical than Swedish. The funny thing is that I am marrying a guy who is half Mexican, 1/4 English, and 1/4 Swedish. What a combination our kids will be! 😃
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ROTFL… they will be very well balanced…

Congrats again!
 
Tantum ergo:
Hail Holy Queen is approved for use at Mass, and not just on Marian feasts. Mary is, after all, a woman, and a married woman. . .who better to exemplify a Christian wife?

It sounds like your M.D. is more than a tad “Protestant” in his/ her beliefs, feeling that a hymn about Mary “upstages” Jesus. . .

Let’s check out those lyrics, shall we?

Hail Holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria. (The only reason she’s enthroned is because she is the Mother of Jesus, the King. So right away we’re focusing on Jesus, aren’t we?)
Hail Mother of Mercy and of Love. (Jesus is indeed Mercy and Love. Hey, looks like we’re still focused on Jesus).
Triumph all ye cherubim (now we’re focused on the cherubim worshipping Jesus), Sing with us ye seraphim (seraphim worshipping Jesus),
Heaven and earth resound the hymn (so let’s all worship Jesus)
Salve, Salve, Salve Regina (In the unlikely event that anyone really listens to and understands Latin, it’s back to the Hail, Queen–who is only Queen because she is the Mother of Jesus, the King. . .so it’s right back to focusing on Jesus).

You’re welcome to show this to your Music Director. As a church organist/ soloist (I detest the word cantor) and having a sizeable number of weddings I’ve directed under my belt, I think that I have as much expertise or knowledge in the field as s/he does.

Reminds me of the old joke:
What’s the difference between a liturgist (in your case, a music director) and a terrorist?

You can NEGOTIATE with a terrorist!

God bless you. Wish I could send your swollen headed “Jesus freak” director a case of “humble pills”. . .
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🙂

Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut! I have to agree with the liturgist joke!

I am a convert from Protestantism, so my Catholic faith is very important to me. I am always offended when Catholics try to be ecumenical by becoming more Protestant. 😛 I left that, after all! The MD tried to use an indirect tactic also, by saying that we shouldn’t have a Marian hymn because half of the people at the wedding will be Protestant. I am not trying to offend them, but if I were planning a wedding to suit them, it would not be in a Catholic church, let alone be a full mass. I fully expect that a number of my relatives who are anti-Catholic won’t come when they get the invitation and read that it is a nuptial mass. But I can’t water things down to suit them. One of my grandmothers has been to mass with my family (my mom and sisters also converted) a couple of times, and she has gotten more used to it, so I hope the others will as well.

I believe that Jesus would like his mother to be invited to mass–after all, she was good enough for Him to live inside of for 9 months! And the only reason she is Queen is because she submitted herself totally to God, and raising Jesus as her son. I have been studying the Theology of the Body, and I was very struck by what Christopher West said, about how if you don’t honor Mary, you will inevitably tend to downgrade the profound importance of the Incarnation. I think when we are honoring Mary, we are honoring Jesus for coming to earth, the Word become flesh.

I initially picked Be Thou My Vision as the opening Hymn, but it isn’t in that Gather hymnal we suffer with at my parish. The tune was in there, but they sing some nonsense about “Lord of all hopefullness” or something–I nearly choked the first time I heard it! So I moved Hail Holy Queen from the closing hymn to the opening–also, the MD said that people wouldn’t sing the closing hymn if we were going out, and I want all the verses sung.

:cool:
 
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SDA2RC:
ROTFL… they will be very well balanced…

Congrats again!
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😃 Yes–it will be funny though, if the kids are dark like he is, and I take them to the grocery store with me–people won’t think they are mine!
 
AmandaCatherine said:
🙂

Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut! I have to agree with the liturgist joke!

I am a convert from Protestantism, so my Catholic faith is very important to me. I am always offended when Catholics try to be ecumenical by becoming more Protestant. 😛 I left that, after all! The MD tried to use an indirect tactic also, by saying that we shouldn’t have a Marian hymn because half of the people at the wedding will be Protestant. I am not trying to offend them, but if I were planning a wedding to suit them, it would not be in a Catholic church, let alone be a full mass. I fully expect that a number of my relatives who are anti-Catholic won’t come when they get the invitation and read that it is a nuptial mass. But I can’t water things down to suit them. One of my grandmothers has been to mass with my family (my mom and sisters also converted) a couple of times, and she has gotten more used to it, so I hope the others will as well.

I believe that Jesus would like his mother to be invited to mass–after all, she was good enough for Him to live inside of for 9 months! And the only reason she is Queen is because she submitted herself totally to God, and raising Jesus as her son. I have been studying the Theology of the Body, and I was very struck by what Christopher West said, about how if you don’t honor Mary, you will inevitably tend to downgrade the profound importance of the Incarnation. I think when we are honoring Mary, we are honoring Jesus for coming to earth, the Word become flesh.

I initially picked Be Thou My Vision as the opening Hymn, but it isn’t in that Gather hymnal we suffer with at my parish. The tune was in there, but they sing some nonsense about “Lord of all hopefullness” or something–I nearly choked the first time I heard it! So I moved Hail Holy Queen from the closing hymn to the opening–also, the MD said that people wouldn’t sing the closing hymn if we were going out, and I want all the verses sung.

:cool:
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The problem with the closing hymn is well known, but can be solved easily.

When i was an altar boy our priest used to stay before the altar after the blessing, headed to the altar and ready for the final genuflection, but didn’t do it until the last verse of the closing hymn had been sung.

So in May we could sing three verses of “Maria Maienkönigin” or another Marian Hymn without anybody leaving.

You could do the same at your wedding.

Werner
 
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Werner:
The problem with the closing hymn is well known, but can be solved easily.

When i was an altar boy our priest used to stay before the altar after the blessing, headed to the altar and ready for the final genuflection, but didn’t do it until the last verse of the closing hymn had been sung.

So in May we could sing three verses of “Maria Maienkönigin” or another Marian Hymn without anybody leaving.

You could do the same at your wedding.

Werner
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Thanks Werner! That is a good idea. I really like the idea of Hail Holy Queen as the ending hymn, it is so grand on the organ. Then I could have Jesus My Lord, My God, My All as the opening hymn, and everyone would be happy! 🙂
 
Just had to chime in, as a music director myself, I would completely balk at the idea of telling someone they can’t have the opeining hymn of their choice. She’s more than a bit out of line methinks! Anyway, congratulations on your wedding!
 
While I, too, think you should have the hymn you wish, I wonder what you mean by opening hymn? Do you mean a procession of the clergy? Or do you mean that’s what you wish to have played as you walk down the aisle? If it’s the latter, I wonder if you want “Hail, Holy Queen” playing while everyone’s eyes are fixed on you (as they should be at that point). If you wish to honor the Blessed Mother, there is a custom that has the bride and groom walk to Her altar/chapel/statue and lay flowers before Her. You might do that and play the hymn at that time. It is, of course, up to you.
 
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JKirkLVNV:
While I, too, think you should have the hymn you wish, I wonder what you mean by opening hymn? Do you mean a procession of the clergy? Or do you mean that’s what you wish to have played as you walk down the aisle? If it’s the latter, I wonder if you want “Hail, Holy Queen” playing while everyone’s eyes are fixed on you (as they should be at that point). If you wish to honor the Blessed Mother, there is a custom that has the bride and groom walk to Her altar/chapel/statue and lay flowers before Her. You might do that and play the hymn at that time. It is, of course, up to you.
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We are having an instrumental piece as the processional, and then singing a hymn. I would definitely think it was weird to have Hail Holy Queen as we walked in! :o We are all coming in together, the servers, priests, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and then bride and groom. We are doing the flowers to Mary in the mass as well, with Ave Maria in Latin. Hail Holy Queen is my fiance’s favorite hymn, and one of my favorites as well.

🙂
 
Congrats on your upcoming wedding. Our entrance song with my wife walking down the aisle was the “Ave Maria” Shubert’s version. It was so moving, people actually came to tears. It is not inappropriate for a marian song to be used. I had a diehard fundamentalist baptist who had never been in a catholic church before much less attended a mass, state it was the most beautiful thing he has ever seen.
 
I think your music director is completely wrong and that we should have more Marian songs at all Masses, preferably at least one at each Mass 🙂 The Catechism of the Catholic Church #971 speaks of the Church’s devotion to Mary as “intrinsic to Christian worship.” “Intrinsic” to me doesn’t just mean on Marian feast days.

And since it is your wedding, you should be able to do what you want.

I understand, I think, what you mean by being offended in post #8. I have similar feelings except as a cradle Catholic rather than a convert.

Congratulations and I hope everything works out 🙂
 
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tuopaolo:
I think your music director is completely wrong and that we should have more Marian songs at all Masses, preferably at least one at each Mass 🙂 The Catechism of the Catholic Church #971 speaks of the Church’s devotion to Mary as “intrinsic to Christian worship.” “Intrinsic” to me doesn’t just mean on Marian feast days.

Congratulations and I hope everything works out 🙂
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Thanks!

I totally agree with your post! I think devotion to Mary is devotion to Jesus. My RCIA teacher used to say, no Mary, no Christ, know Mary, know Christ!

🙂
 
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