MERGED: "Musical abuse" at Mass tonight/Rock/Contemporary

[Fiona_Margaret]

I agree with the last post - i am not keen on this kind of music for the Mass so I wouldn’t attend a Mass using it. However, each to his own and it may be helpful to some people.

 

[R_C]

I went with my parents to their parish this weekend and was surprised to find electric guitars and drum sets playing music for Mass. I understand that musical instruments are only allowed to assist the people singing, and I doubt this rock band setup did that. Are these kind of instruments allowed during Lent, let alone the rest of the year?

I do not think they are fit. It is possible that the parrish has a special permission from the Ordinary.

According to the Instruction On Music In The Liturgy Musicam Sacram:

The use of other instruments may also be admitted in divine worship, given the decision and consent of the competent territorial authority, provided that the instruments are suitable for sacred use, or can be adapted to it, that they are in keeping with the dignity of the temple, and truly contribute to the edification of the faithful. …]

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.

I’d argue that these instruments (particularly electric guitars) ar suitable for secular music only. Others in authority have obviously made a different decision. Personally, I am for organ and Gregorian chant. I’d like to recall the Vatican II Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosantum Concilium:

The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services.

 

[malphono]

I do not think they are fit. It is possible that the parrish has a special permission from the Ordinary.

According to the Instruction On Music In The Liturgy Musicam Sacram:

I’d argue that these instruments (particularly electric guitars) ar suitable for secular music only. Others in authority have obviously made a different decision. Personally, I am for organ and Gregorian chant. I’d like to recall the Vatican II Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosantum Concilium:

I happen to agree, but the “instruction” is incredibly vague and whenever something is as non-specific as that, those who have an agenda will milk it to the max. And rare is the Ordinary who will intervene.

 

[mburn16]

You know, for as much as I love tradition, I have to say that the use of an electric guitar in no way precludes singing. Nor does it preclude appropritate hymns. At my home parish, we have an organ…and a piano, and trumpets, and a trombone, and a bass, and an electric guitar, and drums, etc.

They’re not playing living on a prayer…

 

[Sara505Sings]

I don’t mind, and sometimes even enjoy the up-beat - okay, it’s rock LOL - music at the LifeTeen Mass, but this past Sunday I found it especially loud and jarring. I was also bothered by the fact that the band was jamming as people entered the church. I am also a music minister - for a different Mass in the same parish - and have a deliberately quiet approach to the music I offer at Mass during Lent. I play guitar, but I use a soft finger-picking style exclusively during Lent and I keep the songs on the low-key side, and never play an extra note. There are guidelines, and there’s also such thing as common sense.

 

[hamburglar]

There were numerous problems with the music at this Mass. Many of the the songs were by Marty Haugen and his translations of Scripture are so terrible. It the Gospel reading for that Mass, Satan quotes from the chapter of Psalms that was the basis for the Responsorial Psalm - however, the verses it quoted were mysteriously “cut out” of Marty Haugen’s Psalm composition.

Who would I approach about this? I’m realistic; as much as I would like to see every parish using Gregorian chant at Mass, I know that is not going to happen in the current climate. But Protestant Rock songs during Mass, especially during Lent? Something seems wrong here.

On a better note, at least they didn’t fill the Baptismal font with sand this year

 

[padrepio_2012]

rock music in the most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass? that is scandalous! highly inappropriate and it has no place in a Catholic Church. whats next lasers and rap music? pardon me but that sounds like it should be in some contemporary protestant church. it is not proper for worship and this should not be happening, no matter how “pumped up” it makes you feel. faith isn’t about feelings or how pumped up and good you feel about God. its about love and loyalty, and hope. pipe organs and pianos may be boring but it is appropriate.

 

[LegoGE1947]

rock music in the most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass? that is scandalous! highly inappropriate and it has no place in a Catholic Church. whats next lasers and rap music? pardon me but that sounds like it should be in some contemporary protestant church. it is not proper for worship and this should not be happening, no matter how “pumped up” it makes you feel. faith isn’t about feelings or how pumped up and good you feel about God. its about love and loyalty, and hope. pipe organs and pianos may be boring but it is appropriate.

Oh heck, lets put in a revolving strobe light and disco- dancers in a glass cage. and spot lights waving back and forth. And maybe the Love-Unlimited Orchestra. Perhaps an Elvis impersonator!:whacky::dancing: But then would you think it would be just a bit off the charts?

 

[PatriceA]

There were numerous problems with the music at this Mass. Many of the the songs were by Marty Haugen and his translations of Scripture are so terrible. It the Gospel reading for that Mass, Satan quotes from the chapter of Psalms that was the basis for the Responsorial Psalm - however, the verses it quoted were mysteriously “cut out” of Marty Haugen’s Psalm composition.

Who would I approach about this? I’m realistic; as much as I would like to see every parish using Gregorian chant at Mass, I know that is not going to happen in the current climate. But Protestant Rock songs during Mass, especially during Lent? Something seems wrong here.

On a better note, at least they didn’t fill the Baptismal font with sand this year

Our parish used the same songs this past Sunday. I personally LOVE Marty Haugen. I would have enjoyed the mass you described too. To each his own.

 

[hamburglar]

Our parish used the same songs this past Sunday. I personally LOVE Marty Haugen. I would have enjoyed the mass you described too. To each his own.

I think the problem here is not whether or not the music makes the Mass enjoyable, but whether it is fitting to the Liturgy and whether it glorifies God. It seems to me that this kind of music, although it may sound catchy, does not fit into the Latin/Roman tradition and violates the guidelines given by those in authority in the Church. In addition, some of the lyrics are borderline heretical.

 

[clem456]

Absolutley! Rock music at Mass during lent. Very Catholic themes are available:

I’ve got two tickets to paradise,
Won’t you pack your bags, we’ll leave tonight,
I’ve got two tickets to paradise,
I’ve got two tickets to paradise.
:extrahappy:
oh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh
oh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh

guitar solo
drum solo
feedback solo
:whackadoo:dancing on the altar:dancing:
doing splits off the altar:egyptian:

ballad after communion:

would you know my name
if i saw you in heaven
would it be the same
if i saw you in heaven

 

[LegoGE1947]

Absolutley! Rock music at Mass during lent. Very Catholic themes are available:

guitar solo
drum solo
feedback solo
:whackadoo:dancing on the altar:dancing:
doing splits off the altar:egyptian:

ballad after communion:

YEAH! ThatS what I’m talkin’ about!!! Number 1 on the charts Number one in your hearts! Maybe we should also have a DJ to scratch the stylus over some vinyl records and some overdrive speakers!!

 

[TheWarriorMonk]

rock band setup

There is a world of difference between a “rock band” and a “rock band setup.”

A band playing classical music can have a “rock band setup.” IMHO, a guitar easily fits into Catholic Church setting. In fact, the Church on parish over from where I grew up had a whole guitar section (mostly acoustic). Bass as a backup instrument. Bass lines in traditional Church music are simply supportive. They’re not groove oriented like modern music.

Drums are another story. Traditional Church music typically doesn’t have drums, and modern drums significantly change the flavor of the music. Even when played with brushes, it just sounds and feels very different.

 

[PatriceA]

I think the problem here is not whether or not the music makes the Mass enjoyable, but whether it is fitting to the Liturgy and whether it glorifies God. It seems to me that this kind of music, although it may sound catchy, does not fit into the Latin/Roman tradition and violates the guidelines given by those in authority in the Church. In addition, some of the lyrics are borderline heretical.

Your opinion, I just don’t agree. I think modern music and instruments can glorify God, just as much as gregorian chant can. Marty Haugen may not be your taste but I hardly think his lyrics are borderline heretical, unless you can back up that claim with facts, its still only your opinion. Would I want modern music at every mass? Nope. But I like the wide variety of music available to use for our Masses, Thank God we don’t have a “one size fits all” music ministry. If you didn’t like this particular mass time, find another one that fits your tastes.

 

[dfp42]

I’m dealing with the same problem at my parish. The music seems to be more focused on at the mass. It feels like a musical anymore with people clapping and loud banging drums right after receiving communion. America sure does like to entertain. Sadly, I don’t go to mass to be entertained. I wish this wasn’t so but it is. I’m noticing a trend lately with the music becoming overbearing within the last year since the new translation.

 

[CatholicGeek1]

faith isn’t about feelings or how pumped up and good you feel about God.

I have to disagree with this slightly. I would say that faith is not dependent on how you feel and neither is God, but we should feel good about our faith and being “pumped up” can certainly increase these good feelings as well as evangelization. However, I do agree that it should not be the primary concern, and I also do not care for this music during mass.

 

[Sara505Sings]

I think the problem here is not whether or not the music makes the Mass enjoyable, but whether it is fitting to the Liturgy and whether it glorifies God. It seems to me that this kind of music, although it may sound catchy, does not fit into the Latin/Roman tradition and violates the guidelines given by those in authority in the Church. In addition, some of the lyrics are borderline heretical.

I totally agree.

 

[dfp42]

I wonder why all this new experimentation with new music etc is taking place in the mass? It’s crazy to see how many things have changed since VII for better or worse. I have to wonder how much we evolved.

 

[mburn16]

so, what specific emotion is it you’re trying to inspire at the mass?

 

[R_C]

I think the problem here is not whether or not the music makes the Mass enjoyable, but whether it is fitting to the Liturgy and whether it glorifies God. It seems to me that this kind of music, although it may sound catchy, does not fit into the Latin/Roman tradition and violates the guidelines given by those in authority in the Church.

Your opinion, I just don’t agree. I think modern music and instruments can glorify God, just as much as gregorian chant can.

Actually, that’s not just his opinion, that’s the basic idea of Sacred Music. Certainly modern music and instruments can be adapted to the sacred liturgy, but we must be careful not to fall into the protestant liturgical mindset. Catholic Holy Mass is a Sacrament in which we are mystically at the foot of the Cross. As beautifully expressed here, “The closest form of worship to the Mass is not a modern agape feast or a Christian praise-and-honor service”.

This reflects the spirit of Sacrosanctum Concilium, which wished to give new vigor to the liturgy, nevertheless recalling that “in the earthly liturgy we take part in a foretaste of that heavenly liturgy which is celebrated in the holy city of Jerusalem”, and calls the liturgy “* the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed [and] the font from which all her power flows*”.

In short, there is a mindset and understanding about the Catholic sacred liturgy that makes it unique and special, and unfortunately this is not always evident to all. The very moment that someone is distressed about a musical instrument being used during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, we have the certainty that something was either done wrong or could have been done better.

Nobody here wants to preclude a given instrument from the liturgy…after all, Psalm 150 says: “praise him with the clash of cymbals” However, the spirit of the liturgy (and the norms established) must be taken into careful account, and also notice how prudently the OP reminds us that this is happening during Lent, a time in which the Church tunes down the music and the colors.