Singing the mass -bishop olmsted

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There is a terrific article by Bishop Olmsted of Phoenix featured at Chantcafe.com. Click on “A Bishop who really gets it” on the right hand menu. I’d try to type in a Link, but don’t know how to do it.

This is a FANTASTIC article! He seems to be educated in music and able to make distinctions that (perhaps) a number of other Bishops (of good will) cannot. I hope he ends up on any committee that has to do with music in the liturgy!!!
 
The section on “What is sacred music” was… well…“music to my ears”!!!
 
You place your mouse in the address bar then click the right mouse button. A menu comes up, then you click copy with the left mouse button. Then you click Post Reply on this forum like you would for any other post, click the right mouse button in the text field and then click paste with the left mouse button.

Here is the link to the article:

chantcafe.com/2011/12/bishop-who-really-get-it.html
 
Thank you so much, Young Trad Catholic! I copied down your info. You are a great help.
 
Thomas Olmsted is one great bishop – wholly orthodox and courageous. He removed the designation “Catholic” from a hospital founded by the Sisters of Mercy in Phoenix and took a lot of heat for that. But he’s impervious to the criticism and only cares about God’s Truth. What a great leader. Thanks for recognizing him.
 
I especially liked his distinction between Sacred music and “religious” music. As a musician and student of music history, I’ve known this for quite awhile, but it is the hardest thing in the world to explain to those who are totally ignorant of the subject.

He quotes Pius XII on the topic of “religious” music:

“…it can exercise great and salutary force and power on the souls of the faithful both when it is used in churches DURING NON-LITURGICAL services and ceremonies, or when it is used OUTSIDE churches at various solemnities and celebrations”. (Musicae Sacrae Disciplina, #36)

In my parish, almost all of the music that we (unfortunately) use at Mass falls into the category of “religious music” and not “sacred music”.

I hope he can help the other bishops understand this distinction.
 
Here’s a thought: Is it possible that the increase of “religious music” versus “sacred music” over the past several decades is in direct proportion to the DECREASE in popular devotions at parishes?

Are we trying to “kill two birds with one stone” by trying to squeeze in our own personal/popular styles into the Mass because there is no other venue to do it?
 
opus101 said:
Here’s a thought: Is it possible that the increase of “religious music” versus “sacred music” over the past several decades is in direct proportion to the DECREASE in popular devotions at parishes?

Are we trying to “kill two birds with one stone” by trying to squeeze in our own personal/popular styles into the Mass because there is no other venue to do it?
Click to expand...
Rather than it being about music, it’s about the way we approach and treat the mass in general. It’s not, “I’m excited to go to mass so I can celebrate the Sacrifice of God on the altar in a solemn manner.” It’s more, “Jesus loves me, which obviously means I can do whatever I want anyways.” People might not think that specifically, or even at all consciously, but it’s there, at least subconsciously, or something like it.

Not naming names.
 
Years ago I read the writings of French Catholic philosopher Jacques Maritain on music and art. He also wrote of the distinction between sacred art & music versus “religious” and “Christian”.

While Catholic Sacred music is of course religious and Christian, it cannot be said that all religious or Christian music is Sacred music - which is “set aside” in style and content for sacred purposes (the Mass) alone.
 
Here is a very interesting article by Bishop Olmsted of Phoenix. I especially like his comments about the difference between “sacred” and “religious” music.

catholicsun.org/bishop/2011/121511.html

Hopefully, he will be able to explain this topic to other Bishops who are not as knowledgeable about music.

IMO the ability/inability to make this distinction between “sacred” and “religious” or “Christian” music is really the crux of the whole “music for Mass” problem in the Church.
 
This article is the first in what will be a series dedicated to sacred music.
 
I know, you helped me with it! But I thought the title I gave it was not as engaging as it should have been - but I’m seeing that, even with the new title, it must not be of interest to many. Oh well.

Thanks again for your help!

I would delete the old thread, but I guess that’s not possible.
 
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