Star Wars Music Inside Church

  • Thread starter Thread starter Kay_Cee
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
K

Kay_Cee

Guest
Okay, I’m just going to put this out there.

At our parish, there is a man who plays classical guitar. Last Sunday he was playing the “Force” theme from Star Wars before Mass. It’s not the first time this has happened.

I don’t mind guitar music, but Star Wars? Inside the church? Just before the celebration of the Mass?

Before Mass, I’m trying to focus on God. Instead I get this music from Star Wars.

Am I overreacting by thinking this is out of line? Especially since “The Force” is a “different religion”? 🤷
 
No, you are right is realizing that this is extremely out of place and has no place in our churches.
 
if it is during Mass, that’s one thing. Before, I guess that’s a matter of personal taste. Sorry it bothered you, personally I probably would have enjoyed it.
 
I agree with Richard. I would say Star Wars music is definitely not appropriate inside a church before Mass.
 
I don’t know why I find this so funny…maybe because I’m thinking of the Imperial March or even the Cantina music more than the Force theme. No, it’s not appropriate in a church before the mass. I’d talk to your music director at the parish about it. Just mention that you heard it and how off-putting it was. If after that, nothing changes, then offer it to God like St. Therese did with the nun who rattled her rosary beads and gritted her teeth during prayers. She turned it into heavenly music.
 
Star Wars music in a church? I think it’s in very poor taste. If I heard this music in church I would think “What???”, I would go and bow before Our Lord at the altar and go to the sacristy to advise the priest about the music. It is very inappropriate in a church. Our focus should be on God ONLY.
 
Maybe you could incorporate a new blessing in your parish, ‘May the Father and the Son and the Force be with you.’ 🙂 (Ok I was just kidding, don’t post this on social media :eek:)
 
Instrumentalists play all kinds of “meditative” pieces before Mass that have absolutely no sacred connections. Frequently we hear classical dances, operatic themes (often from some very non-church appropriate operas), love songs, and Irish drinking songs played really slowly. So, I know I’m being slightly hypocritical when I say, “Of course, music from Star Wars is inappropriate during church! Even if the Mass hasn’t officially started yet!”
 
I knew a guy who played the Super Mario Brothers theme after Mass concluded for us at Creighton Prep.

Appropriate? Probably not. The question is, what’s the intention?

If it’s to call to mind Star Wars, probably not.

If it is meditative, to prep us for the Mass, it could be.

I’m sure it’s not too difficult to make a judgement call.
 
Well, our pastor is going to be on vacation for six weeks. I’ll see what others have to say, then consider approaching him about this when he gets back.
 
While I find a lot of epic music far more inspirational and conducive to meditation than much Christian music, I would say no. Something with such a vivid linkage to a well known cultural phenomena is not appropriate, it will just naturally bring to mind distracting images.

I would suggest the guitarist look at some other music, there is plenty. Some good stuff by Brand X music, Immediate Music, Audiomachine, Two Steps From Hell---- instrumentals that might be interesting on guitar and not be associated with major movies.
 
A lot of hymns written in the 19th century had the words set to popular tunes of the day and now we believe them to be solemn enough. Pius X didn’t like any other setting for the mass other than gregirian chant. Before that the village band attempting grand opera were often at mass playing
 
wild_thing said:
If after that, nothing changes, then offer it to God like St. Therese did with the nun who rattled her rosary beads and gritted her teeth during prayers. She turned it into heavenly music.
Click to expand...
I think this is beautifully put, but honestly enough, I wouldn’t even bother with the musical director part. I think there’s important battles that sometimes need to be fought, but this whole thing really strikes me as being quite trivial.

… not that I remotely agree with the guitarist’s choice of music, and frankly, I really dislike guitars in the first place. But maybe he or she just thought the piece was pretty, and genuinely didn’t even know much about its origin.

I would love to, on a daily basis, have access to the most traditional and beautiful Mass in the whole word. But really, I think being too concerned with even the smallest of distractions from my ideal is just a big energy vampire. I think I would have the same reaction as the OP, but I would also know I should mortify it.

Maybe God didn’t appreciate the Star Wars music. But maybe He’ll appreciate us patiently dealing with it, and thinking charitably about the guitarist’s intentions.

But God knows the guitarist’s heart, and He may have been far more pleased with them than He ever has been with me and my constant sinning and nagging and whining. I would tell myself to love someone for once, instead of always finding fault, as I never cease to do.

But then again, OP, I need a lot of work, and so I don’t know what the right approach would be for others.
 
InNomineDomini said:
I think this is beautifully put, but honestly enough, I wouldn’t even bother with the musical director part. I think there’s important battles that sometimes need to be fought, but this whole thing really strikes me as being quite trivial.

… not that I remotely agree with the guitarist’s choice of music, and frankly, I really dislike guitars in the first place. But maybe he or she just thought the piece was pretty, and genuinely didn’t even know much about its origin.

I would love to, on a daily basis, have access to the most traditional and beautiful Mass in the whole word. But really, I think being too concerned with even the smallest of distractions from my ideal is just a big energy vampire. I think I would have the same reaction as the OP, but I would also know I should mortify it.

Maybe God didn’t appreciate the Star Wars music. But maybe He’ll appreciate us patiently dealing with it, and thinking charitably about the guitarist’s intentions.

But God knows the guitarist’s heart, and He may have been far more pleased with them than He ever has been with me and my constant sinning and nagging and whining. I would tell myself to love someone for once, instead of always finding fault, as I never cease to do.

But then again, OP, I need a lot of work, and so I don’t know what the right approach would be for others.
Click to expand...
I’m more concerned about the effect it might have on others who were present. My daughter came up to me after the Mass (she’s an altar server) and asked why there was Star Wars music in church. What am I to say? 🤷 I told her I didn’t think it was appropriate.
 
Ever been to a Protestant church?

I saw no less than three clips from Star Wars, the Lion King, and Fireproof in a 30 minute span at my in laws church.
 
Kay_Cee said:
Okay, I’m just going to put this out there.

At our parish, there is a man who plays classical guitar. Last Sunday he was playing the “Force” theme from Star Wars before Mass. It’s not the first time this has happened.

I don’t mind guitar music, but Star Wars? Inside the church? Just before the celebration of the Mass?

Before Mass, I’m trying to focus on God. Instead I get this music from Star Wars.

Am I overreacting by thinking this is out of line? Especially since “The Force” is a “different religion”? 🤷
Click to expand...
Secular music is ok before or after Mass. Personally, I prefer silence before Mass, and that includes any rehearsing from the choir, or chit-chatters in the pews behind me.
 
A while ago I was wondering how liturgically correct it would be to have that theme played at a funeral…
 
Catholic1954 said:
Secular music is ok before or after Mass. Personally, I prefer silence before Mass, and that includes any rehearsing from the choir, or chit-chatters in the pews behind me.
Click to expand...
I realize it’s technically okay, but I’m wondering about the effect such a choice in music might have on someone visiting a Catholic Church for the very first time. What kind of message does this send?

I definitely agree with you about silence before Mass. 🙂
 
Two things:

Perhaps the guitarist found the piece lovely and meditative and didn’t thing many, if any, people would recognize it?

It was composed by John Williams, who many accuse of lifting a little too much from classical music. Maybe it was similar to The Force Theme but was another piece? 😉
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top