Music at mass

[brotherhrolf]

Boy, you guys were up late last night!

I would rate Take, Lord, Receive a “1” and we have sung it in my choir. The objective of the anthem is “me” not Him.

Since “O” is not an option, I can’t rate “Lord I Lift”.

I had to smile at the comment that we should just let the choice of music up to the “authorities”. In my parish that would be our music director. The only time we sing things like “Take, Lord, Receive” is for diocesan events where our music director is overruled by members of the chancery.

I also find it ironic that our music director recently advertised in our diocesan newspaper for the organization of a volunteer diocesan choir. Could it have anything to do with the refusal of volunteer cathedral choir members to sing for diocesan events because of the music?

 

[Mintaka]

We are supposed to be concerned about all of it: how the poor are served and how Mass is served, how hospitals are stocked with drugs and how the parish church is stocked with sacramentals.

If we love Jesus, He said that we would do as He commanded.

Now, this is not to say that you can’t prioritize. But spiritual priorities are not less important than physical ones. We are immortal beings by the grace of God; therefore, the poor have to be spiritually fed and the Mass has to be given a fit setting in our hearts and minds. Equally, however, we can’t ignore physical needs. Jesus came incarnate in a body, and He really does attend every parish church and hang out in that little tabernacle.

So the shocking thing is that yeah, God cares about what little human beings do, like whether or not we feed the poor; and stuff like what music is played at Mass does matter. We try to clean and decorate our hearts and bodies to be better temples of God, and we try to make our churches better temples, too. It’s not a matter of rules; we follow the rules because we love Him and want to do His will.

 

[VociMike]

We are supposed to be concerned about all of it: how the poor are served and how Mass is served, how hospitals are stocked with drugs and how the parish church is stocked with sacramentals.

If we love Jesus, He said that we would do as He commanded.

Now, this is not to say that you can’t prioritize. But spiritual priorities are not less important than physical ones. We are immortal beings by the grace of God; therefore, the poor have to be spiritually fed and the Mass has to be given a fit setting in our hearts and minds. Equally, however, we can’t ignore physical needs. Jesus came incarnate in a body, and He really does attend every parish church and hang out in that little tabernacle.

So the shocking thing is that yeah, God cares about what little human beings do, like whether or not we feed the poor; and stuff like what music is played at Mass does matter. We try to clean and decorate our hearts and bodies to be better temples of God, and we try to make our churches better temples, too. It’s not a matter of rules; we follow the rules because we love Him and want to do His will.

Allow me to just say “ditto”.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

I had to smile at the comment that we should just let the choice of music up to the “authorities”. In my parish that would be our music director. The only time we sing things like “Take, Lord, Receive” is for diocesan events where our music director is overruled by members of the chancery.

That’s rather a key point – for most of us, the music played during Mass has nothing to do with our preferences anyway; we have no say in its choice. I sing in the choir, and I don’t even have any say. Fortunately, we rarely have to sing anything I would rate a “0” or a “1” (I assume that’s on a scale of 1 to 10 ).

 

[PaixGioiaAmor]

Boy, you guys were up late last night!

I would rate Take, Lord, Receive a “1” and we have sung it in my choir. The objective of the anthem is “me” not Him.

Since “O” is not an option, I can’t rate “Lord I Lift”.

I had to smile at the comment that we should just let the choice of music up to the “authorities”. In my parish that would be our music director. The only time we sing things like “Take, Lord, Receive” is for diocesan events where our music director is overruled by members of the chancery.

I also find it ironic that our music director recently advertised in our diocesan newspaper for the organization of a volunteer diocesan choir. Could it have anything to do with the refusal of volunteer cathedral choir members to sing for diocesan events because of the music?

Just because the words we may sing speak of “us”, that alone does not make a song inappropriate.

Many of the proper antiphons in the missal seem to speak of “us”.

 

[cathochic]

I don’t think I want to touch the very emotional arguing between the extreemes on this board. It can be an emotional issue. Music can be all at once uniting and separating at the same time. However, I do have some points for those who are not into the “forum debate thing” and are looking to improve their ministry where they are:

1. Percussion at Mass - This is probably where most people violate the GIRM and create music that is profane. You can massacre any song from the ancients until now with gratuitous percussion.
2. Electric Guitar - Probably should never be used at Mass. I have heard it used respectfully, but only on rare occasions.
3. Keyboard - I would refrain from any “Synth-type” keyboard use at Mass. I would use the most natural of patches. Elimination of keyboards is not really necessary - most modern organs are electronic - due to the cost of real pipes being out of reach for these parishes.
4. Make sure your music ministry is facing the altar somehow. I refuse to play unless I am facing the Blessed Sacrament.
5. Do not assume that because a song is in a songbook that it is immediately suitable. Many are and many aren’t.
6. Change the arrangement. Do NOT play the song “Just like the recording,” especially when dealing with contemporary music. I know how many songs, which have spiritually uplifting melody and lyrics, can be “saved” by eliminating the jarring chord changes and obnoxious 7th and major 7th chords. This would require some musical arrangement ability.
7. Get familliar with the new GIRM. It’s got good guidelines on what kind of music is appropriate when. Be also familliar with the Chirograph on Liturgy. Read the darn thing - that’s what it’s there for.
8. Read the actual readings and not just the planning guide. Make SURE your Pastor plans with you.
9. Pray before you plan and before you play. When you let Jesus help you, You will yeild great fruits, err…musics.

Notice how I haven’t mentioned specific songs. I think the songs that violate the liturgy the most are well represented here. The songs I avoid first are the songs which focus on the congregation and not Jesus.

I believe you can improve your liturgy immensely by singing and playing the songs you play now more beautifully, respectfully and spiritually. Practice and play what you practiced. Do not change songs on the fly. No you don’t need to burn your guitar, just unplug it!!!

Do not let this music thing divide us. Instead, everyone should pray for Jesus to be the pastoral musician’s real guide. He will send His Advocate to help. Believe it, it’s true.

Be at Peace.

 

[brotherhrolf]

I don’t think I want to touch the very emotional arguing between the extreemes on this board. It can be an emotional issue. Music can be all at once uniting and separating at the same time. However, I do have some points for those who are not into the “forum debate thing” and are looking to improve their ministry where they are:

1. Percussion at Mass - This is probably where most people violate the GIRM and create music that is profane. You can massacre any song from the ancients until now with gratuitous percussion.

We use a tympani to accompany the brass quartet on high holy days. We use a single military bass drum on Good Friday for the procession. Spine tingling. Modern percussion, never.

1. Electric Guitar - Probably should never be used at Mass. I have heard it used respectfully, but only on rare occasions. I agree.
2. Keyboard - I would refrain from any “Synth-type” keyboard use at Mass. I would use the most natural of patches. Elimination of keyboards is not really necessary - most modern organs are electronic - due to the cost of real pipes being out of reach for these parishes. Our “modern” organ (1965) fried itself in 1988. We are fortunate in that we now have a pipe organ. We used the “syn-clavier” with amp the three years it took to get the altar built but didn’t like it. We used a harpsichord (ooooooooh, we choir members loved that) but it couldn’t be heard at the back of the cathedral. We then went to a baby grand (we all loved that too) until the organ and choir loft was rebuilt.

Sincerely, the baby grand was quite nice. We just had to keep R from doing “Baptist” arpeggios.

1. Make sure your music ministry is facing the altar somehow. I refuse to play unless I am facing the Blessed Sacrament. We hated facing the congregation. Felt like we were on stage. So much nicer up in the loft - the focus is on Him and not us.
2. Get familliar with the new GIRM. It’s got good guidelines on what kind of music is appropriate when. Be also familliar with the Chirograph on Liturgy. Read the darn thing - that’s what it’s there for. Ditto
3. Read the actual readings and not just the planning guide. Make SURE your Pastor plans with you. Ditto
4. Pray before you plan and before you play. When you let Jesus help you, You will yeild great fruits, err…musics. Pray before you practice and pray before going singing for Mass. Has always worked for us.

Notice how I haven’t mentioned specific songs. I think the songs that violate the liturgy the most are well represented here. The songs I avoid first are the songs which focus on the congregation and not Jesus.

I believe you can improve your liturgy immensely by singing and playing the songs you play now more beautifully, respectfully and spiritually. Practice and play what you practiced. Do not change songs on the fly. No you don’t need to burn your guitar, just unplug it!!!

Do not let this music thing divide us. Instead, everyone should pray for Jesus to be the pastoral musician’s real guide. He will send His Advocate to help. Believe it, it’s true.

Be at Peace.

And I would add one more thing. Don’t be afraid of our sacred music tradition. There is so much that the average choir could reach with practice in terms of sacred polyphony. I’m not talking Palestrina’s Sicut Cervus but simple motets like Adoramus Te Christe. Or Taize chants - many of them have gorgeous instrumental settings with acoustic guitars, flutes, etc.

We start practicing motets months out in advance. Practice makes perfect. Surprise your parish! Give them a gift from your choir!

 

[cathochic]

Our “modern” organ (1965) fried itself in 1988. We are fortunate in that we now have a pipe organ. We used the “syn-clavier” with amp the three years it took to get the altar built but didn’t like it. We used a harpsichord (ooooooooh, we choir members loved that) but it couldn’t be heard at the back of the cathedral. We then went to a baby grand (we all loved that too) until the organ and choir loft was rebuilt.
.

The newest keyboards and organs have unbelievable patches. 1988 not so much. lol. That is the crux of the matter. The “How” is just as important; not just the “what” - whether it’s instruments or songs, or both. If an electronic organ with magnificent patches is what you can afford, God will bless that because you are being a good steward of church resources. Be careful of MIDI though. Remember, Music at Mass is to be LIVE. That’s a rule in the GIRM, not an opinion.

Tha ancient songs are the “Best of the Best” of all times. The ones that were not good did not last - and the same will hold true with the newer music. It’s a natural selection of sorts.

We blend the ancient and the new.

 

[benedictgal]

I don’t think I want to touch the very emotional arguing between the extreemes on this board. It can be an emotional issue. Music can be all at once uniting and separating at the same time. However, I do have some points for those who are not into the “forum debate thing” and are looking to improve their ministry where they are:

1. Percussion at Mass - This is probably where most people violate the GIRM and create music that is profane. You can massacre any song from the ancients until now with gratuitous percussion.
2. Electric Guitar - Probably should never be used at Mass. I have heard it used respectfully, but only on rare occasions.
3. Keyboard - I would refrain from any “Synth-type” keyboard use at Mass. I would use the most natural of patches. Elimination of keyboards is not really necessary - most modern organs are electronic - due to the cost of real pipes being out of reach for these parishes.
4. Make sure your music ministry is facing the altar somehow. I refuse to play unless I am facing the Blessed Sacrament.
5. Do not assume that because a song is in a songbook that it is immediately suitable. Many are and many aren’t.
6. Change the arrangement. Do NOT play the song “Just like the recording,” especially when dealing with contemporary music. I know how many songs, which have spiritually uplifting melody and lyrics, can be “saved” by eliminating the jarring chord changes and obnoxious 7th and major 7th chords. This would require some musical arrangement ability.
7. Get familliar with the new GIRM. It’s got good guidelines on what kind of music is appropriate when. Be also familliar with the Chirograph on Liturgy. Read the darn thing - that’s what it’s there for.
8. Read the actual readings and not just the planning guide. Make SURE your Pastor plans with you.
9. Pray before you plan and before you play. When you let Jesus help you, You will yeild great fruits, err…musics.

Notice how I haven’t mentioned specific songs. I think the songs that violate the liturgy the most are well represented here. The songs I avoid first are the songs which focus on the congregation and not Jesus.

I believe you can improve your liturgy immensely by singing and playing the songs you play now more beautifully, respectfully and spiritually. Practice and play what you practiced. Do not change songs on the fly. No you don’t need to burn your guitar, just unplug it!!!

Do not let this music thing divide us. Instead, everyone should pray for Jesus to be the pastoral musician’s real guide. He will send His Advocate to help. Believe it, it’s true.

Be at Peace.

You make some excellent points. Unfortunately, in my parish, the music director goes only by what the OCP planning guide has to say. Many times, the music and the readings clash, especially during Lent. Can you imagine snging “Seek Ye First” during Lent (with the Alleluias in it)? You need to read the readings and also go by the seasons (as well as the Solemnities and Feasts).

 

[Sarabande]

Tha ancient songs are the “Best of the Best” of all times. The ones that were not good did not last - and the same will hold true with the newer music. It’s a natural selection of sorts.

We blend the ancient and the new.

Excellent!!! I’ve always believed that. When you study the history of music, you will see that there are works that were “popular” for its time, which are rarely if ever played now.

Sometimes they were really just not great pieces of music and it’s understandable that it didn’t make it through the centuries. Once in a while you might hear a performance of it or a cd.

And sometimes, there are works which were lost and forgotten for one reason or another, but are actually really beautiful. Suddenly a music scholar will rediscover it and there will be a resurgence and you will see constant performances and recordings of the music. That happened with a lot of secular vocal repertoire by Handel and Rossini and people like Marilyn Horne brought it to the forefront. It even occurred with some works by Mozart (although it was “rediscovered” not long after his death.)

I think we are seeing the death of certain music - secular and sacred - right now. Think about all of the songs we had to sing in the past. I grew up in the 80s and 90s and there was a load of junk we were forced to sing or listened to on the radio. Now, I don’t hear a lot of that kind of music anymore in parishes that I’ve attended, although, sometimes on CAF I see that a few of those hymns are still peaking out for mass.

I’ve heard some incredible works of sacred music written by modern-day composers either in the 20th and 21st centuries. Many aren’t well-known or popular, but they are works that have kept in line with sacred music composition.

For some works today, it probably is too early to know whether or not it will last, but there are a lot which one will know it’ll be out the door in a few years or at least in a generation. “Mother, At Your Feet Is Kneeling” for instance. I’m getting less and less requests for that, I think mostly because the people who really liked the piece are dying out. Now it is usually only requested for funerals of elderly people. Once in a while a bride will request it in remembrance of her grandmother, though, but I’ve only had to sing it once for a wedding in the 8 years that I’ve been working professionally.

 

[brotherhrolf]

The newest keyboards and organs have unbelievable patches. 1988 not so much. lol. That is the crux of the matter. The “How” is just as important; not just the “what” - whether it’s instruments or songs, or both. If an electronic organ with magnificent patches is what you can afford, God will bless that because you are being a good steward of church resources. Be careful of MIDI though. Remember, Music at Mass is to be LIVE. That’s a rule in the GIRM, not an opinion.

Tha ancient songs are the “Best of the Best” of all times. The ones that were not good did not last - and the same will hold true with the newer music. It’s a natural selection of sorts.

We blend the ancient and the new.

Yes, I know we were in the “dark ages” back then. I love synthezied music and have since Walter/Wendy Carlos came out with Switched on Bach back in high school.

We have a local choir that has a keyboardist who uses the Celtic patches for harp. Fair enough, I love Celtic music. But we also have another local parish with Irish harp, bodhran, fiddles, uillean pipes, etc. I am sore tempted to go and join them and sing the music of my ancestors except then I remember that I am singing the music of my ancestors.

OH! That’s pretty stunning, isn’t it? I would really like to sing “I heard the voice of Jesus say” to the tune of the “Star of the County Down” with harp, bodhran, fiddles, pipes, etc.

But my ancestors didn’t sing this at Mass. Nor did my Cajun ancestors take the music of the dance hall and insert it into Mass.

Uillean pipes deflate…Cajun accordions sag. They sang Catholic hymns. And, that’s why I get mad at the young folks. At church, our ancestors sang Catholic hymns. Are they too good for y’all?

I know that’s harsh but the honest answer is that they left the dance or ceilli hall behind on early Sunday morining as they headed to Mas. I am Irish and I am Cajun…we honored our ancestors, y’all. We surely did.

 

[ontologysue]

One’s “taste,” has absolutely nothing to do with this question of appropriate music for Mass.

We need to remember that the Church is Christ’s spouse. In the Mass she offers herself to her Spouse. Consummated, the entire church is offered, through the Beloved, to the Father. This is all about Agape, not the personal taste of one person or another.

I think we can all agree that when two people are madly in love, given the resources, they give only the very best to the Other. Therefore, the Church, in love with her Spouse, desires the best of herself for her Beloved.

What is the best music? Generation upon generation have all concurred, for example, that the classical composers, ie., Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, Haydn, Brahms, etc., created masterpieces, which have stood the test of time.

Likewise, the Church, throughout past generations has chosen chant and polyphonic music for the appropriate solemnity required to celebrate the Divine Liturgy.

As Catholics we do not have the prerogative to suddenly change what has been the fruit of generations in the Tradition of the Church.

These contemporary substitutions are an affront to the long Tradition of the Church, bought and paid for with the sweat, blood and tears of our ancestors.

The Church is not about** innovation**, it’s about preserving and participating in the Holy…meaning that which is “set apart.”
Given the Spousal love, why would we want to utilize anything b ut the most highly revered music throughout history?

It shows an appalling lack of humility! And, it’s hard to believe Catholics, of all people,are obcessed with the tastes of the age, concerning the Liturgy.

Whoever said, “He who marries the spirit of the age, becomes a widow in the next.” was right.

Remember, this is the consummation of love with Love Itself. It is not a recital!

 

[cathochic]

What is the best music? Generation upon generation have all concurred, for example, that the classical composers, ie., Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, Haydn, Brahms, etc., created masterpieces, which have stood the test of time.

Not entirely true. These musics are indeed beautiful, but it is Gregorian Chant which is held at the highest esteem. Classical Music, and Polyphony, is subordinate as are other forms (you can debate that one is “more subordinate” than the other, but Chant is still superior.) That is not an opinion, that is the teaching of the Church. Even though one may argue/debate that classical music is superior or inferior according to “taste” or whatever, Chant is still the norm to measure what is approrpiate.

Any music, ancient or modern, has to be measured against Gregorian Chant in regard to it’s simplicity in form (allowing sober congregational participation,) and spirituality. While classical (polyphony) pieces have the spirituality, they are only reccommended in parts of the Mass where participation is not as much of a priority (e.g. Communion hymn.) The GIRM can be violated by traditional and modern pastoral musicians alike.

 

[Sarabande]

Not entirely true. These musics are indeed beautiful, but it is Gregorian Chant which is held at the highest esteem. Classical Music, and Polyphony, is subordinate as are other forms (you can debate that one is “more subordinate” than the other, but Chant is still superior.) That is not an opinion, that is the teaching of the Church. Even though one may argue/debate that classical music is superior or inferior according to “taste” or whatever, Chant is still the norm to measure what is approrpiate.

Any music, ancient or modern, has to be measured against Gregorian Chant in regard to it’s simplicity in form (allowing sober congregational participation,) and spirituality. While classical (polyphony) pieces have the spirituality, they are only reccommended in parts of the Mass where participation is not as much of a priority (e.g. Communion hymn.) The GIRM can be violated by traditional and modern pastoral musicians alike.

I might be wrong, but I understood ontologysue’s quote to be for music in general - not for sacred music. Also, I do not believe Wagner composed any sacred/religious music, which is another reason why I thought the quote was meant for music in general.

Anyway, last night I read this passage in a biography on Eleanor of Aquitaine. A contemporary of Eleanor and Henry II wrote about their court in England. What he wrote on secular polyphonic music was pretty much the standard idea of the day. “John of Salisbury, who compared the court to ancient Babylon, particularly condemned the effeminate garments of the fashion-conscious nobles and gallants, the polyphonic music that kindled all kinds of licentiousness, described by serious men as depraved…”

Secular polyphony in the western world was a little over 150 years old by the time Eleanor of Aquitaine was living. This style of polyphony wasn’t yet refined to be officially acceptable for mass until about the 1300s when Guillame de Machaut wrote his masses in polyphony rather than in monophony (which is chant). Although, it was making its way in sacred music prior to that and tolerated for the time being. One of the major reasons it wasn’t accepted in the Church prior to this was because of the way much of the earlier polyphonic works set the text - you couldn’t hear the words clearly.

There were also certain dissonant chords or modes which were considered offensive and “evil” and basically banned from being used in sacred music. I believe polyphonic music was actually banned altogether for a short period until Guillame de Machaut, because he composed the polyphony in a way which was acceptable to the Church and more in the spirit of chant because it was much less frivolous and secular in sound and more solemn in comparison to prior polyphonic compositions which took more from a secular form. It was also written in a way so that you could hear the words more clearly. The polyphonic composition for the mass then officially incorporated the sacred form. Again - a difference between secular composition and sacred composition even as early as that - and it took many years to have it approved.

(Please know that I’m not one of these people who believe in “Gregorian chant or nothing”. I like chant, but I am also happy for a lot of the music which have been composed throughout the centuries for mass.)

In a way, this music debate is nothing new although it seemed to be more controlled earlier in the Church than it is today. They nipped it in the bud or at least insured that refinements be made so that the music would be acceptable and in the spirit of their traditions before it would get out of hand.

 

[Sarabande]

Let me clarify that the word “polyphony” is not synonymous with “sacred”. For those who are not as familiar with music, polyphony just means the harmonizing of two or more melodies - nothing more. There is sacred polyphony and secular polyphony and many times, a difference can be heard between the two styles.

 

[japhy]

A contemporary of Eleanor and Henry II wrote about their court in England. What he wrote on secular polyphonic music was pretty much the standard idea of the day. “John of Salisbury, who compared the court to ancient Babylon, particularly condemned the effeminate garments of the fashion-conscious nobles and gallants, the polyphonic music that kindled all kinds of licentiousness, described by serious men as depraved…”

… One of the major reasons it wasn’t accepted in the Church prior to this was because of the way much of the earlier polyphonic works set the text - you couldn’t hear the words clearly.

Two Church documents (from 1955 and 1958) address this problem:

“Although over the course of the centuries genuine polyphonic art gradually declined and profane melodies often crept into it, during recent decades the indefatigable labors of experts have brought about a restoration. The works of the old composers have been carefully studied and proposed as models to be imitated and rivaled by modern composers.” (Musicae Sacrae, n. 54)

“These laws warn that great prudence and care should be used in this serious matter in order to keep out of churches polyphonic music which, because of its heavy and bombastic style, might obscure the sacred words of the liturgy by a kind of exaggeration, interfere with the conduct of the liturgical service or, finally, lower the skill and competence of the singers to the disadvantage of sacred worship.” (Musicae Sacrae, n. 57)

“It is strictly forbidden to change in any way the sung text, to alter or omit words, or to introduce inappropriate repetitions. This applies also to compositions of sacred polyphony, and modern sacred music: each word should be clearly, and distinctly audible.” (De Musica Sacra, n. 21a)

“Compositions of sacred polyphony, by the old masters as well as by contemporary artists, are not to be introduced into the liturgy unless it has first been established that, either in their original form or in arrangements, they comply fully with the ideals, and admonitions set forth in the encyclical Musicae sacrae. If there is any doubt, the diocesan commission on sacred music is to be consulted.” (De Musica Sacra, n. 48)

 

[Sarabande]

Two Church documents (from 1955 and 1958) address this problem:

“Although over the course of the centuries genuine polyphonic art gradually declined and profane melodies often crept into it, during recent decades the indefatigable labors of experts have brought about a restoration. The works of the old composers have been carefully studied and proposed as models to be imitated and rivaled by modern composers.” (Musicae Sacrae, n. 54)

“These laws warn that great prudence and care should be used in this serious matter in order to keep out of churches polyphonic music which, because of its heavy and bombastic style, might obscure the sacred words of the liturgy by a kind of exaggeration, interfere with the conduct of the liturgical service or, finally, lower the skill and competence of the singers to the disadvantage of sacred worship.” (Musicae Sacrae, n. 57)

“It is strictly forbidden to change in any way the sung text, to alter or omit words, or to introduce inappropriate repetitions. This applies also to compositions of sacred polyphony, and modern sacred music: each word should be clearly, and distinctly audible.” (De Musica Sacra, n. 21a)

“Compositions of sacred polyphony, by the old masters as well as by contemporary artists, are not to be introduced into the liturgy unless it has first been established that, either in their original form or in arrangements, they comply fully with the ideals, and admonitions set forth in the encyclical Musicae sacrae. If there is any doubt, the diocesan commission on sacred music is to be consulted.” (De Musica Sacra, n. 48)

Thanks for that. I remember reading this when I had to do my research as a children’s music director/music teacher at a parish a few years back, but had no idea where I placed my printouts. I was about 24 at the time and was treated like I didn’t know what I was talking about, so I had to get all of my documents from the Vatican website to prove that I wasn’t some stupid “kid” and still approached the older folks in a nice way without controversy and with charity.

 

[japhy]

Thanks for that. … I had to get all of my documents from the Vatican website to prove that I wasn’t some stupid “kid” and still approached the older folks in a nice way without controversy and with charity.

I’ve got plenty of links to Magisterial documents (from vatican.va and elsewhere) on my blog here. I also highly suggest the Giga-Catholic web site.

 

[ontologysue]

Not entirely true. These musics are indeed beautiful, but it is Gregorian Chant which is held at the highest esteem. Classical Music, and Polyphony, is subordinate as are other forms (you can debate that one is “more subordinate” than the other, but Chant is still superior.) That is not an opinion, that is the teaching of the Church. Even though one may argue/debate that classical music is superior or inferior according to “taste” or whatever, Chant is still the norm to measure what is approrpiate.

Any music, ancient or modern, has to be measured against Gregorian Chant in regard to it’s simplicity in form (allowing sober congregational participation,) and spirituality. While classical (polyphony) pieces have the spirituality, they are only reccommended in parts of the Mass where participation is not as much of a priority (e.g. Communion hymn.) The GIRM can be violated by traditional and modern pastoral musicians alike.

Maybe I didn’t make myself clear, I am not disagreeing with you in the least, in fact, in the Orthodox Church, where I attend, there is only chant.

I was just using classical music v. contemporary songs as an example of what constitutes the affirmation of generations in regard to the highest quality of music. I agree with chant as the standard.

 

[josekjohn]

My personal opinion would be that if this music helps you, then by all means listen to it before and after Mass, praying or meditating, whatever works. At Mass, sit back and try to enjoy the chant. =]

I agree with muffinmojo, I realy think the Mucic and song is must at Holly mass, one song equle to two Prayer.