At the risk of restarting the weekly Liturgy wars on CAF, I will argue that music is not a mere personal taste. The Pope said himself that not all music is appropriate for the Liturgy and we should not use “just any old music.” He cited Pope Pius X when he stated that sacred music must be holy, noble, and universal. This implies that some forms of music are not always holy, noble, or universal.Music is a personal taste.
Yes. Although the circumstances are a little different, since the Eastern churches have developed their Liturgy separately. I imagine that Pope Francis had the Latin Church in mind when making those comments.Keep in mind though, he also has a high opinion of Byzantine liturgy, but I think in the west, Gregorian chant would be more than welcome.
I’m very much in favor of the project to promote the simple English propers. It seems like a good, simple way to move parishes closer to the ideal while also promoting congregational singing and active participation.It’s given rise to some interesting projects like Simple English Propers.
That’s for sure!Butchered Gregorian is worse than no Gregorian.
And thankfully, it’s growing!Yes. When I first became Catholic in 2005, I thought chant was nearly dead… since then I’ve been relieved to discover it’s alive and well in many parishes (and of course monasteries), whether it be Gregorian chant or plainchant in the vernacular.
Um, no. Just no. You have undoubtedly heard devotional music in nearly any style of music, and that is fine, but that is a far cry from saying that there are no boundaries on liturgical music. Those are two different categories of music. Not everything that belongs in the realm of devotional music automatically qualifies in the realm of liturgical music. There are Catholics who quibble about this and parishes that ignore this distinction, but the Church has been very clear and consistent on this point. That is not going to change no matter how entrenched and customary the contrary habits become.Liturgy is the way we worship God with words and actions. It often involves music. Music and other art forms are the ways we express ourselves and we can praise God with them. Music is a personal taste. Some like Gregorian chant, some prefer 19th century hymns, some prefer sacred music of the rock or rap genres. It would be a dangerous move to claim that because Pope Francis prefers a certain style of music, so does God. I have heard God worshipped with many different kinds of music. I have chanted, taken a part in polyphony and waved a hand in the air to modern worship songs. Diversity of music represents diversity of culture and long may we enjoy it.
I would ask you to listen to the alternatives before saying that, lol.The Gregorian propers require skill and training and practice. Butchered Gregorian is worse than no Gregorian.
This is absolutely true, and the Church says the same.I note that he says Gregorian Chant is the first model. That means to me that sacred music should try to attain the same objective as Gregorian chant in terms of style, content, loftiness and suitability as prayer. But not always actually be Gregorian chant.
I don’t know about that. I’ve heard badly performed chant and I’ve heard badly performed hymns. And I think the lesson to be learned is that badly done music is never fun, regardless of genre.I would ask you to listen to the alternatives before saying that, lol.
No, I mean there is sometimes music used for Mass that is just inappropriate. Not necessarily bad in all places and at all times, but music that doesn’t belong in the Mass. I think that is worse than people who are trying their best with wince-inducing results.I don’t know about that. I’ve heard badly performed chant and I’ve heard badly performed hymns. And I think the lesson to be learned is that badly done music is never fun, regardless of genre.
I totally agree that the selection of music for a particular Mass needs to include an honest assessment of who is available to sing the music and lead it. We can only give what we have to give. Some sacred music is more accessible to people with a limited musical background or aptitude than others, yet it is beautiful enough to be selected by those with the capacity to do more complicated music.Okay, I understand what you’re saying. And I totally agree with that.
Mostly from lack of resources: i.e. people willing to put the effort into learning chant and performing it in a language they probably don’t know very well, if at all. Have you done something about that in your parish?The thing is, it doesn’t matter if BXVI says it or Francis says it. It will be ignored by most parishes.
A good deal of which, I need to add, is not at all easy to sing well. People may like trying, but like songs the public tries to imitate from Broadway the results are often best confined to solos in the shower.People seem to have the resources and effort to learn contemporary Christian music.