Singing Happy Birthday at Mass

[thistle]

Does something have to rise to the level of liturgical abuse for it to be a problem? What about songs that Rome has specifically deemed inappropriate due to terminology? What about songs with specifically Protestant theology, such as Amazing Grace? Why is it okay to involve mumbling and too rapid and often mispronouncing readers when others are clear and accurate? I’m glad you edited your earlier name calling, but if you want to criticize, maybe you could start with my conclusion–that this all leads to a general atmosphere where the Catholic church ceases to inspire, dwindles, and merges with the other Christian denominations and/or generic spirituality.

Also, Zab, why would sing happy birthday to Jesus be a liturgical abuse? After all, the mass is supposed to be about Him, isn’t it?

Actually it was not me who edited my comment.

I don’t agree with your conclusion. I just wish people would attend Mass for the correct reasons and not go with pencil and paper in hand looking to find something wrong!

 

[Jean_Anthony]

Please stay on topic, everyone, and avoid making personal comments. Thank you all.

 

[FRLBJ]

My sympathy goes out to you! Find another parish where the Lord and His Real Presence are respected and witnessed to by those present.
The Mass is not about any of us or about the priest. The singing of Happy Birthday is distracting from witnessing to His Real Presence, that the church is God’s Holy Temple, and the Holy Mass is not a social occasion.
It is definitely an abuse. I am going to meet with a priest who leads his parishioners in this and other liturgical abuses.

I just have a question for the a canon lawyer.****

How would you classify the abuse of singing Happy Birthday before the final blessing?

Also, ‘Happy Birthday’ is not a liturgical hymn. Most of the songs sung at Mass in most parishes are also not liturgical music. They are not even hymns. So most bishops, priests and parishioners are not aware that such music is not appropriate for Holy Mass
So it would also not be appropriate on Christmas Day. HB is fine at home or at the social hall, but not in the church or during Mass.