protestant music at Mass - help!

[gloryb]

This has become a big issue in our choir. Older cradle Catholics are upset by wonderful praise and worship music if they feel it is known as Protestant. One lady wants the imprimatur in our song books. She also asked the pastor what he wants as far as our being Catholic since he talks about our being Christian.

I’m a convert and it seems to me these people are somewhat “clubby.” It’s about “we Catholics” and not about what the music conveys. They will not accept anything new if they think the Protestants got to it first.

I think we should accept that while Catholics have remained in the past the Protestants have created wonderful music and a love for the Bible. It isn’t wrong because they got there first! Are we to ignore such songs as “Holy Ground” which is more Catholic than Protestant in it’s lyrics just because Protestants sing it? Is there something wrong with encouraging praise and worship because one is Catholic?

Why can’t we sing the beautiful sons of the past and also use the modern praise and worship music? There is room for both. We must consider that there are Catholics who want “Catholic music” only and there are those who want modern music only. As a universal Church why do we have to appeal to only one group?

I agree with those who question the words of some songs which are even in our hymnals, such as “Amazing Grace” and the recently sung, “Mary Did You Know.” The lyrics often are contrary to Catholic doctrine. If we are to be upset by any music it would seem it would be these.

BTW—since we’ve been more modern (Protestant) in our music and we have a Charismatic priest the attendance has increased significantly.

Gloria

 

[Mrs_P]

right on gloryb

 

[Munda_cor_meum]

gloryb:

BTW—since we’ve been more modern (Protestant) in our music and we have a Charismatic priest the attendance has increased significantly.

Gloria

Wow! I’ll bet if you had 18-24 year old altar girls dressed in “Hooter Girl” vestments attendance would skyrocket! Why not give that a try too?

Honestly, what many people seem to forget is that it is not about you. The music at Mass is not there for your entertainment or to show off your voice or to demonstrate your choir director’s skill. We sing at Mass to Worship God - period. Anything that detracts from that should be looked at suspiciously. No matter how many more people show up.

 

[pnewton]

Munda cor meum:

Wow! I’ll bet if you had 18-24 year old altar girls dressed in “Hooter Girl” vestments attendance would skyrocket! Why not give that a try too?

gloryb never suggested that anything was done for entertainment, just that her church had experienced growth. Surely you do not mean to say that church growth is a bad thing, do you?

As far as music being for worship and not entertainment, you are correct, but I do not think anyone here believes differently. Of course music is for worship. In the context of this thread, most protestant music is very worshipful. The suitablity for Mass of certain songs may be debated, but these songs are written to worship God in music. Comparing worship music to Hooter girls is unfair.

 

[JackPaul]

I am a recent convert to the RCC and have been attending Mass for a little more than two years. We drive past at least five Catholic Churches to arrive at the one we attend. It is a very conservative parish and it is frequented by a lot of older folks. These people would whole heartedly agree with you, music should be as old as the liturgy or it is bad. It is also well received for the music to be sang in latin, greek or spanish as well as many of the other responses. Mind you, this is not a Trinitine Mass. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my Church and wouldn’t change a thing, but I personally have a hard time with this attitude. For one, I am not a life long cradle Catholic and I have never heard most of these songs. So, when the Laity are expected to sing along with out the lyrics, (often these songs are not in the missle) I feel stupid. I have asked our music director if she would include the lyrics in our bulliten and although I got a specific answer to the song in question, I got the idea that she is not going to post these lyrics in the bulletin. I also have Sirius radio and I often listen to EWTN up until the time they start playing music. The Catholic Jukebox plays some of the most awful music I have heard (opinions vary of course). At nearly fifty years old, I still prefer Third Day to Talbot any day of the week.

Now and then we attend a Lifeteen Mass that occurs on Sat afternoon and is hosted by a huge Church a block from our house. They have (God Forbid) Electric guitars, drums, synthesizers and Lord knows what. Then even play a pan flute during the Eucharist. They play no less than five songs durring their mass of 1 1/2 hours and there is a lot of that hand waving and praise and worship stuff. I was actually put off by this and found it uncomfortable, but I have to say that the music seems to be better to me than what my Church plays.

 

[Munda_cor_meum]

pnewton:

gloryb never suggested that anything was done for entertainment, just that her church had experienced growth. Surely you do not mean to say that church growth is a bad thing, do you?.

Have to disagree with you there. The intent was pretty clear. Protestant Music + Charismatic Priest = Increased attendance = “A good thing”. The implication being that those who object to profane music at Mass somehow don’t get it. And yes, church growth is a bad thing if it is growing for the wrong reason. If people are going to Mass because it is cheaper than the movies but just as entertaining, the church is growing for the wrong reason.

All I am saying is that the Church provides a spiritual feast and that people should think twice before trying to make it more palatable. It is said that saccharine is 10 times sweeter than sugar yet it has no nutritional value. Do you really want to substitute something empty and artificial for the real banquet just because it tastes better?

pnewton:

As far as music being for worship and not entertainment, you are correct, but I do not think anyone here believes differently. Of course music is for worship. In the context of this thread, most protestant music is very worshipful. The suitablity for Mass of certain songs may be debated, but these songs are written to worship God in music. Comparing worship music to Hooter girls is unfair.

Again, have to disagree with you. Nobody on this thread said, for example, I want to hear “Amazing Grace” because it gives greater Honor and Glory to God. All said something about how it made them feel. Is that what the Catholic Church is about today? Feelings? Ignore the fact that the song contradicts 2000 years of Church teaching. Overlook it because it makes people feel good. Plus, it makes more people show up.

 

[pnewton]

Munda cor meum:

Have to disagree with you there. The intent was pretty clear. Protestant Music + Charismatic Priest = Increased attendance = “A good thing”. The implication being that those who object to profane music at Mass somehow don’t get it. And yes, church growth is a bad thing if it is growing for the wrong reason.

But there is nothing “wrong” (i.e. against the GIRM, Canon Law or Church teaching) about either music that was written by a protestant or priests of the CCR. If more people are attending and receiving the sacraments, as long as they are open to the grace they provide, then people are being helped to go to heaven. This is the objective reality of the Mass.

Local priest and bishops have to make decisions on what is best for each parish. This is the principle of local authority under which the church operates.

Now if some individual is attending Mass for the wrong reason, then perhaps with time God can work through the graces he receives to convert the heart. It is wrong, however, and presumptous to judge anyone’s or any parish’s motives.

 

[Munda_cor_meum]

pnewton:

But there is nothing “wrong” (i.e. against the GIRM, Canon Law or Church teaching) about either music that was written by a protestant or priests of the CCR.

Well…not quite. The diocesan Bishop ( not the local Priest or Bishop) must explicitly approve any music.

The following from zenit may be of help:

The diocesan bishop may decide for himself the manner in which he approves hymns and songs for liturgical use. He may publish a diocesan repertoire or may simply limit himself to approve any hymnal or liturgical songbook containing an imprimatur from another bishop.

What is important is to understand that the choice of texts and music for the liturgy is not merely a question of personal taste but entails the deeper question of ecclesial communion.

In general the criteria used for the approval of suitable texts is that the hymn or song be inspired by Scripture or the liturgy although vested in a poetic form, and also that the text should be, in some way, a confession of faith, expressing perennial and orthodox truths rather than current issues.

This should be taken into account in the case of Protestant hymns. They may be used in the liturgy provided they conform to Catholic doctrine. Any hymn that contains doctrine contrary to Catholic teachings, or is ambiguous, should not be used.

For the full text, go here:
zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=44370

 

[Jimzz12]

In the past I’ve been in parishes with non-Catholic music too. It’s very frusterating. Most of it is the pop-folk written by heretics like Dan Schutte, Marty Haugen, and the rest of the free love bunch.

I think the music written by saints and with cultural significance is the better accepted.