Projecting the words for songs at mass

[OnBendedKnee]

At my church they will be projecting the words to the songs at mass. It will be displayed on the wall behind the altar and below the cross and risen Christ. I have mixed feelings about this.

Does anyone go to a church where the songs are projected? What do you think of this practice?

I will be suggesting that they do not project the songs at communion time. If they do project the words at communion people will be focussing on the music and not on receiving the Eucharist. I feel that Catholics have so lost the sense of just what the Blessed Sacrament is and what we receive in the Eucharist that the time we spend going up to communion could be better spent in meditating on what we are about to receive. By not projecting the words at the time it would be a strong sign of the importance of the Eucharist. What do you think?

Your comments are appreciated.

God Bless.
Lauralee

 

[puzzleannie]

of all the practices surrounding music at Mass we have had to endure in the last 40 years, this practice may be the one that (searching for polite language) bothers me the most. At the very least, assuming everyone in the congregation is sight impaired and must rely on the projected words, they should invest in a proper screen, and place it where the mandatory crucifix, and obviously the altar, are not obscured. If they don’t do that not only are they not accomplishing what they are after, to make the lyrics accessible and easily readable to foster congregational singing, they are deliberately maliciously moving focus from the action of the altar and the sacrifice of Christ to the congregation and choir. Reprehensible.

 

[Sarabande]

I don’t regularly attend mass that does this, but I have been to parishes who use it. It is very distracting to me. Also, I prefer to have the music right in front of my face in a hymnal mainly because even with glasses/contacts, my eyesight isn’t great. The parishes where I have been to that does it have been older churches, so the screens cover up the artwork and architecture. It also seems to compete with what’s going on in the mass.

I liken it to when I attend an opera at certain theaters. At some theaters, such as at the Met, they have the words right in front of you on the back of the seat that is directly in front of your seat. It never really distracts me because if I want to see the translation of what’s being sung, I can quickly glance down then back up at the stage. It’s almost like looking at a book/hymnal/program. At other theaters, they have the text either above the stage or on the sides (much like I’ve seen at some of these churches). In these instances, my eyes are constantly fighting with not looking at the supertitles because I prefer to be watching and participating with my ears and eyes on the stage, on the music and on the singers rather than on the words flashing up on the screen.

Of course, the church is not a stage, but I had the same experience when attending mass with these screens up front. My eyes and ears were constantly distracted by it. It would be a different story if it helped me focus on the mass and on God, but that wasn’t the case - at least for me.

Anyway, just my opinion on the subject.

 

[OnBendedKnee]

Thanks, PuzzleAnnie, the comments I drafted do include a suggestion to move the location both higher and off to the side. From comments our priest made this past weekend at a parish mission event he is quite enthusiastic about this initiative. Personally I don’t think this will encourage more people to sing. My feeling is that you need a strong voice in the choir that the congregation can follows. Since we do have a song at Communion and people are, obviously, invited to sing am I out of place if I suggest that the song not be projected at communion time?

PS. We do have a good priest. He is concerned about the spiritual and prayer life of the parish. We are fortunate to have him.

 

[agapewolf]

Thanks, PuzzleAnnie, the comments I drafted do include a suggestion to move the location both higher and off to the side. From comments our priest made this past weekend at a parish mission event he is quite enthusiastic about this initiative. Personally I don’t think this will encourage more people to sing. My feeling is that you need a strong voice in the choir that the congregation can follows. Since we do have a song at Communion and people are, obviously, invited to sing am I out of place if I suggest that the song not be projected at communion time?

PS. We do have a good priest. He is concerned about the spiritual and prayer life of the parish. We are fortunate to have him.

other issues aside, I don’t think the reasoning about communion time makes sense. Its no different than having a hymnal in front of you, using your reasoning. Music is called for at communion in the liturgy. “Focusing on the music” is not mutually exclusive to “focusing on receiving the Eucharist”.

 

[OnBendedKnee]

Thanks for your comments, Sarabande. Yes it is distracting and will take attention away from the altar. Unfortunately I am sure they will be going ahead with it. I am hoping to get them to re-evaluate the implementation regarding location and when they do project songs.

I will continue to use the hymnal as it has notes which helps someone like me who is challenged when it comes to carrying a tune.

 

[Digitonomy]

At the very least… they should… place it where the mandatory crucifix, and obviously the altar, are not obscured. If they don’t do that not only are they not accomplishing what they are after, to make the lyrics accessible and easily readable to foster congregational singing, they are deliberately maliciously moving focus from the action of the altar and the sacrifice of Christ to the congregation and choir. Reprehensible.

I have seen retractable screens that come down from the ceiling. Interestingly, while the USCCB document Built of Living Stone recommends that the altar be visible during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, canon law and the GIRM appear to be silent on the matter. The GIRM only insists on the visibility of the crucifix and tabernacle/chapel.

A few years ago, I joked about cloaking technology for the altar during parts of the mass outside the Liturgy of the Eucharist, but I didn’t anticipate such technology would be available so soon.

 

[OnBendedKnee]

other issues aside, I don’t think the reasoning about communion time makes sense. Its no different than having a hymnal in front of you, using your reasoning. Music is called for at communion in the liturgy. “Focusing on the music” is not mutually exclusive to “focusing on receiving the Eucharist”.

That’s why I looking for opinions on this matter. Though I think that in the communion line people will be looking up at the wall and thinking about the music and not about the eucharistic. I have rarely joined in the singing at communion even if it is a song I know well as I pray as I go up to communion. I guess one of my questions should be “What will children learn about communion and it’s place in the liturgy if the music is projected?”

 

[cradlecatholic5]

We have a church in our area that has the words projected on two screens - at the side of the altar. Truthfully, when I first walked in and saw these my first thought was “oh-oh, Protestant” … but I’ve come to adjust to it and find it useful. Only issue I have w/ it is sometimes the “words” of the song are incorrect.

 

[Newbie2]

they are deliberately maliciously moving focus from the action of the altar and the sacrifice of Christ to the congregation and choir. Reprehensible.

Well, I wouldn’t go that far. Some people get caught up in the technology, and don’t realize the implications. But yeah, I do agree it’s a serious oversight, intentional or not, and we have to take a long, hard look at these sort of things and consider all the implications.

I don’t like screens, in particular, although I did attend a parish while on vacation where the building was relatively small, and the screens were in the middle, with chairs 3/4 of the way around and the other 1/4 with the sanctuary.

It was OK, and worked well for them. I found it a bit distracting, but by the end of mass found it to be less objectionable than at the beginning.

 

[Corki]

What do you think of this practice?

Tacky. Sorry, but that’s what I think. And as someone who wears reading glasses to follow the missal, I would find it even more distracting to try to read the wall.

I will be suggesting that they do not project the songs at communion time. If they do project the words at communion people will be focussing on the music and not on receiving the Eucharist.

I agree that they should not be projecting during the Communion procession. If they are going to do this projecting anyway, they could wait until the hymn after Communion.

 

[TheMc]

At my church they will be projecting the words to the songs at mass. It will be displayed on the wall behind the altar and below the cross and risen Christ. I have mixed feelings about this.

Does anyone go to a church where the songs are projected? What do you think of this practice?

I will be suggesting that they do not project the songs at communion time. If they do project the words at communion people will be focussing on the music and not on receiving the Eucharist. I feel that Catholics have so lost the sense of just what the Blessed Sacrament is and what we receive in the Eucharist that the time we spend going up to communion could be better spent in meditating on what we are about to receive. By not projecting the words at the time it would be a strong sign of the importance of the Eucharist. What do you think?

Your comments are appreciated.

God Bless.
Lauralee

Honestly, it doesn’t matter what I think, but here’s what the church says about it:

De Musica Sacra
73. The use of any kind of projector, and particularly movie projectors, with or without sound track, is strictly forbidden in church for any reason, even if it be for a pious, religious, or charitable cause.

 

[Cat]

Honestly, it doesn’t matter what I think, but here’s what the church says about it:

De Musica Sacra
73. The use of any kind of projector, and particularly movie projectors, with or without sound track, is strictly forbidden in church for any reason, even if it be for a pious, religious, or charitable cause.

This will change. The Pope has called for an embracing of technology to evangelize. It’s only a matter of time before this particular little silly rule is changed to reflect more modern times. We are no longer in the age of rustling overheads, noisy (windy) projectors, and clicking noises. Modern overhead projection is pretty discreet nowadays.

Actually, what I think will come very soon is an App for an iPhone or droid that allows the Christian to download the Mass parts, music, readings, prayers, and even the local homily and announcments, and then follow along when he/she is at Mass. The print size would be adjustable to accomodate all of us. My husband already follows the readings in his droid. The rest will come. It’s probably already here, and I’m just behind the times.

 

[benedictgal]

This will change. The Pope has called for an embracing of technology to evangelize. It’s only a matter of time before this particular little silly rule is changed to reflect more modern times. We are no longer in the age of rustling overheads, noisy (windy) projectors, and clicking noises. Modern overhead projection is pretty discreet nowadays.

Actually, what I think will come very soon is an App for an iPhone or droid that allows the Christian to download the Mass parts, music, readings, prayers, and even the local homily and announcments, and then follow along when he/she is at Mass. The print size would be adjustable to accomodate all of us. My husband already follows the readings in his droid. The rest will come. It’s probably already here, and I’m just behind the times.

He meant using social networking and blogging, not devices like the projector for the Holy Sacriice of the Mass.

 

[TheMc]

This will change. The Pope has called for an embracing of technology to evangelize.

How are you so sure of this? I have a hunch he is probably referring to things like making websites, using the media, etc… not corrupting our churches with giant words shining on our walls. Also, are you supporting those who are bring disobedient in this area? I’m getting that impression.

It’s only a matter of time before this particular little silly rule is changed to reflect more modern times.

Again, why are you so sure? Do you also hope they will change that silly little rule on candles, since electric lights are far superior?

We are no longer in the age of rustling overheads, noisy (windy) projectors, and clicking noises. Modern overhead projection is pretty discreet nowadays.

They are still quite distracting to many people, including myself. How can giant words shining on a wall be discrete?

 

[cothrige]

I must agree with the majority on this thread. Our largest local parish uses one of these projectors with a huge white screen sitting right next to the High-Dive Jesus behind the altar. While not the most offensive thing I have seen it is decidedly distracting. For me the worst part though is not the text itself as much as the big screen. It is just an eyesore that detracts from the entire focus of the sanctuary and robs what beauty it would otherwise have. Perhaps if a church were designed with this in mind from the start, with a wall that didn’t require a big screen things would be a bit different for me. However, even then I don’t think I would like it, but it might not be quite so objectionable.

 

[Digitonomy]

Honestly, it doesn’t matter what I think, but here’s what the church says about it:

De Musica Sacra
73. The use of any kind of projector, and particularly movie projectors, with or without sound track, is strictly forbidden in church for any reason, even if it be for a pious, religious, or charitable cause.

That is what the Church said about it, but the document is more than 50 years old, and other regulations since then have not included this restriction. I think the status of De Musica Sacra is very doubtful. Even if it is still in force, which I think doubtful, it only restricts projectors, not screens that glow by themselves rather than reflecting projected light - i.e., LCD screens are permitted by a strict reading of De Musica Sacra.

 

[benedictgal]

That is what the Church said about it, but the document is more than 50 years old, and other regulations since then have not included this restriction. I think the status of De Musica Sacra is very doubtful. Even if it is still in force, which I think doubtful, it only restricts projectors, not screens that glow by themselves rather than reflecting projected light - i.e., LCD screens are permitted by a strict reading of De Musica Sacra.

However, when the other ducments are silent, the former ones still retain their force.

 

[agapewolf]

That’s why I looking for opinions on this matter. Though I think that in the communion line people will be looking up at the wall and thinking about the music and not about the eucharistic. I have rarely joined in the singing at communion even if it is a song I know well as I pray as I go up to communion. I guess one of my questions should be “What will children learn about communion and it’s place in the liturgy if the music is projected?”

You are still missing the point. Projection has nothing to do with your issue here…Using your reasoning, there shouldn’t be any music during communion. It doesn’t matter if you join in the singing, lots of people do sing during communion and that is not exclusive of praying or focusing on the EUcharist. In fact, the music is prayer and it is focusing on the Eucharist.

The communion song is meant to be a sung antiphon or hymn. People can bring hymnals up with them to sing along in the communion line or read from a projector. SAME problem according to you. Your reasoning is off.

 

[Cat]

How are you so sure of this? I have a hunch he is probably referring to things like making websites, using the media, etc… not corrupting our churches with giant words shining on our walls. Also, are you supporting those who are bring disobedient in this area? I’m getting that impression.

Again, why are you so sure? Do you also hope they will change that silly little rule on candles, since electric lights are far superior?

They are still quite distracting to many people, including myself. How can giant words shining on a wall be discrete?

At the moment, the ban on overhead projections still stands, as far as I know, so all of this is rather pointless. Until the ban is lifted, overheads shouldn’t be used in the Mass. It doesn’t matter what you or I prefer or what distracts us or doesn’t distract us. What matters is obeying our Church. If you have seen overheads used in Mass, I understand why you were distracted–it’s not allowed (yet)

I will agree that many of the Catholic church buildings are not designed for projections on a wall.

I also think that projections or downloads into an iPhone are a lot more practical and cheaper method of communicating hymns, songs, and readings then purchasing new missallettes every few months, or maintaining and replacing bound hymnals.

I also think that electric lights (or LEDs) are cheaper and safer than candles. I do like candles, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them go in the future.

It’s a question of what you are used to. When something is new, it can be distracting and often unpleasant. You and I are discussing the English propers on another thread, and I am attempting to convince you that many people will react badly to this “new old music.”

But people will get used to something new and then they won’t be distracted by it anymore, IF the “new” is done with grace and skill.

If something new is thrown at people and they are informed that they must like it or lump it, many will choose to lump it and walk away. My suggestion is to proceed slowly and cheerfully, and take it easy. Why deliberately antagonize people?

When it comes to projections, if the building isn’t suited for it, then it probably shouldn’t be done, even if the ban is lifted. Even I would object to having the words to a hymn projected onto a saint’s belly, or having a screen descend from the ceiling and block the crucifix.

I spent years in the evangelical churches seeing projections, and I didn’t find them distracting. On the contrary, they got everyone’s heads OUT of the books and looking up, and this caused a nice improvement in the sound of the voices and singing. But again, if it is new to you, it is bound to be distracting and I understand that.

Projections are merely a method for conveying information. There is no inherent evil or disrespect or irreverence about using this method instead of hymnals or scrolls or a handheld device like an iPhone…

One problem that I do have with projections is that most of them do not show the music. As a music reader, I don’t like to see just the words. If we are making a change over to “new” music, e.g., the English Propers, then it would be good (and necessary) to show the music along with the words. My feeling is that it would probably be better to just use paper rather than projections. TWO innovations at the same time would drive many people straight over the wall!

I find veils distracting, and I find it distracting when women choose to wear old-fashioned clothing that resembles religious habits, and a tight bun, and no makeup, along with their veils. I have no objection to these disciplines and believe that personal dress should be up to each woman. If a woman wants to dress “old-style,” that’s OK. But I still find it distracting because it’s different. The problem is not the woman, it’s me! I must discipline myself to not be distracted by something different. I think that those who find overheads distracting could discipline themselves to not be distracted if they would give it a chance.

But again, what I think really doesn’t matter at this point. Overheads during Mass aren’t allowed (yet).