Modern Music at mass?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SacredHeartFan
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
S

SacredHeartFan

Guest
Ok would perfer monder or the old music at mass. I like the old music but don’t you think we should allow some modern music in at mass because all the “old” music hasd to be new at one time! 🙂 Well, I wanted others opinions on this!
 
My favorite is old hymns, but I consider that modern as opposed to traditional Latin music. The truth is, I like some of most genres, but can’t stand some of most genres, too.
 
Hello,

It depends on what you mean by modern. If you mean modern genres of music, like rock and rap - then no. But, if you mean a piece that is written now - it would be modern, too - then maybe. Each composition must be judge by its words and music. The words must be in complete concord with sound Catholic teaching. The music must be fit for Liturgy. That type of music is distinguished by three characteristics - “holiness”, “true art”, and “universality”.
 
By “modern” I mean like soft rock, like “who Am I” by Casting Crowns or “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me. Listen to K-LOVE sometimes, this is the music I am talking about. www.klove.com
 
I think only Catholic music should be played at Mass, the ones you mentioned are not from Catholic artist, but that is just my humble little opinion.
 
CatholicCajun said:
I think only Catholic music should be played at Mass, the ones you mentioned are not from Catholic artist, but that is just my humble little opinion.
Click to expand...
However, in my honest opinion, if said Catholic composer writes P & W music, then, that would not be suitable for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

I am not completely averse to modern music. Just don’t give me the junk that the likes of Bob Hurd, the SJL, and other OCP standards compose.

I was looking for a beautiful traditional hymn, O Sun of Justice, for our choir to sing during Lent. OCP doesn’ t have it. Nor does it have very many Traditional hymns. By traditional, I mean something that dates back to the 6th century, or even to the Didache (as Father, We Thank Thee Who has Planted is based on it). But there are scores of SJL and Bob Hurd compositions. OCP is evidently adverse to anything that is Traditional. :mad:
 
Hello,
SacredHeartFan said:
By “modern” I mean like soft rock, like “who Am I” by Casting Crowns or “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me. Listen to K-LOVE sometimes, this is the music I am talking about. www.klove.com
Click to expand...
I never knew you had to be hip to be Catholic. 🤷 😉

Those genres would not, as a general rule, be suitable for the Liturgy.
 
Dont’ get me wrong, I LOVE alot of the traddional songs but every now and then some energetic worship music could be played. Both the songs I have listed do line up with Catholic beliefs.
 
When I say “both”…I’m referring to the “Glory and Praise” hymnal as “modern”…and to the red “Faith of our Fathers”…“Now Thank We All Our God”…“Holy God We Praise Thy Name” hymnal as “traditional”.

BTW, does it strike anyone as odd, to hear “Amazing Grace” in a Catholic Church?
 
SacredHeartFan said:
Dont’ get me wrong, I LOVE alot of the traddional songs but every now and then some energetic worship music could be played. Both the songs I have listed do line up with Catholic beliefs.
Click to expand...
When you start playing this so-called “energetic” music, you would be reducing the Mass to something akin to a Protestant contemporary service. Remember that the Mass is something solemn. Now, solemnity and joy are not mutually exclusive. There are many beautiful, Traditional hymns that evoke a joy that goes beyond the superficiality of Praise and Worship music. This kind of joy that these ancient hymns evoke penetrates deeper than the emotional level.

You say in your tagline that you are discerning a vocation. It may help if you got some solid books to read such as those written by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. “Spirit of the Liturgy” will especially give you some perspective on the importance of truly Sacred Music. The Holy Father goes on to give solid observations regarding the type of music you are suggesting.
 
Hello,
SacredHeartFan said:
Dont’ get me wrong, I LOVE alot of the traddional songs but every now and then some energetic worship music could be played. Both the songs I have listed do line up with Catholic beliefs.
Click to expand...
There is a difference between religious and sacred music.
 
Just a correction sacredheart

The song “I can only imagine” does not line up with Catholic beliefs.

I* can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine

[Chorus:]
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine *

We get to see His face every day at Mass. We are surrounded by His glory at Mass. We ARE IN His presence at Mass. We don’t have to imagine, and the fact that this song says I can only imagine is not true. This song is at best confusing, at worst contradictory to Catholic teaching.
 
SacredHeartFan said:
Ok would perfer monder or the old music at mass. I like the old music but don’t you think we should allow some modern music in at mass because all the “old” music hasd to be new at one time! 🙂 Well, I wanted others opinions on this!
Click to expand...
Generally I’ve got to say that “modern” “soft rock” music is a red flag of all that was wrong with the implementation of VII. Substituting OCP dreck for Mozart, Palestrina, et al., in a nod toward being cool in the 70’s jettisoned the most glorious liturgical music ever written for meaningless mush. At that same time the beautiful Tridentine Mass was replaced by the NO which has generally been offered in the most banal ways possible. That there is a change back to the classics is so welcome that the very thought of compromising on the issue is anathema (there’s a good old fashioned term!). Was there “traditional” music that was lousy, too? Sure - “Bring Flowers of the Fairest” immediately comes to mind. However, I strongly vote no soft rock. It’s out of place, and I have yet to hear any that has been played at Mass that’s even decent music - let alone decent liturgical music.
 
Generally, I eschew music of all types at Mass or anywhere else liturgical. Being here has cured me of any desire whatsoever for singing. It’s amazing how many different hymns they can fit into the melody for “Now Thank We All Our God” and “O God Our Help In Ages Past.” Yes, truly amazing. :banghead:
 
Seminarian_X said:
Generally, I eschew music of all types at Mass or anywhere else liturgical. Being here has cured me of any desire whatsoever for singing. It’s amazing how many different hymns they can fit into the melody for “Now Thank We All Our God” and “O God Our Help In Ages Past.” Yes, truly amazing. :banghead:
Click to expand...
Oh, I don’t know. Worship III snuck in an awful lot of Irish music (e.g. Star of the County Down - I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say).

But let me pose this to my fellow Louisianans. Would you consider Missa Chank-a-Chank as appropriate and modern? A two step for an entrance processional? Slippery slope folks, slippery slope.
 
Brother_John said:
When I say “both”…I’m referring to the “Glory and Praise” hymnal as “modern”…and to the red “Faith of our Fathers”…“Now Thank We All Our God”…“Holy God We Praise Thy Name” hymnal as “traditional”.

BTW, does it strike anyone as odd, to hear “Amazing Grace” in a Catholic Church?
Click to expand...
Yep. Love the song but don’t like it at Mass.
 
brotherhrolf said:
Oh, I don’t know. Worship III snuck in an awful lot of Irish music (e.g. Star of the County Down - I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say).

But let me pose this to my fellow Louisianans. Would you consider Missa Chank-a-Chank as appropriate and modern? A two step for an entrance processional? Slippery slope folks, slippery slope.
Click to expand...
We’re stuck with Worship II which doesn’t seem to contain anything written after 1920 near as I can tell.

Not that I’m a fan of most modern music. But an occasional one would be nice. “Gift of Finest Wheat” is a lovely song. Questionable theologically, yes. But we’re all seminarians here. Think we can handle it.

But now we’re in the Lenten funeral dirge phase of music. I mean, I know Lent is supposed to be penitential, but my goodness. It doesn’t have to be downright depressing. 😦
 
Brother_John said:
BTW, does it strike anyone as odd, to hear “Amazing Grace” in a Catholic Church?
Click to expand...
here was a thread just on this one song. I find it hilarious that it was one of the few places Karl Keating every posted on and the only thing I have disagreed with him on. 😃
 
Seminarian_X said:
Generally, I eschew music of all types at Mass or anywhere else liturgical. Being here has cured me of any desire whatsoever for singing. It’s amazing how many different hymns they can fit into the melody for “Now Thank We All Our God” and “O God Our Help In Ages Past.” Yes, truly amazing. :banghead:
Click to expand...
I’ve noticed that myself. I look at the hymn board before Mass to see what they are today, and I see titles I don’t recognize. But when the organist plays them, I discover that it’s a familiar melody.

What really grinds me, is that our organist has switched to a different melody during Benediction for “O Saving Victim…” I just wanna cringe.

:dts:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top